Modeling Dry Wear of Piston Rod Sealing Elements of Reciprocating Compressors Considering Gas Pressure Drop Across the Dynamic Sealing Surface

Abstract

The wear of dynamic sealing elements, i.e., elements that seal against a moving counter-surface, is highly complex. In dry-running reciprocating compressors, these sealing elements, commonly referred to as packing rings, have to seal the compressed gas against the environment along the reciprocating rod. Since the packing rings' seal effect arises from the differential pressure to be sealed, it is of paramount importance to take into account the gas pressure drop across the dynamic sealing surface. This paper presents a numerical model that allows us to calculate how the wear of such a packing ring evolves with time. An analytical solution is used to verify the numerical model.