Phase Change in a Misaligned Mechanical Face Seal

Abstract

The combination of phase change, coning, and face misalignment in mechanical seals is studied. The seal performance is calculated using an implicit analytical solution of the thermohydrodynamic problem. It is found that phase change can be detrimental to the seal’s angular stiffness. It is also found that the boiling interface is practically axisymmetric, even at moderate face misalignment. Thus, future analyses of phase change with misalignment can be considerably simplified.