Research on Leakage Prediction Calculation Method for Dynamic Seal Ring in Underground Equipment

Abstract

The leakage prediction calculation method for dynamic seal rings in underground equipment is presented in this paper. The framework of the method is given. The leakage prediction model is built. The non-Newtonian fluid interface element is brought in. The leakage prediction calculation method was developed based on the thermal–structural coupled method and the fluid–structural coupled method. A test is performed to validate the proposed method. It is proved that the film thickness of an O-ring made of nitrile rubber in pulling-in travel is thicker than that in pushing-out travel. The leakage of an O-ring made of fluororubber is larger than that of an O-ring made of nitrile rubber in the same environmental condition. The presented method is useful for predicting the sealing ability of dynamic seal rings in underground equipment. Evaluation costs will be reduced with the given leakage prediction calculation method.

Keywords

• underground equipment
• dynamic seal ring
• leakage prediction
• calculation method
• finite element (FE)