Mechanical Face Seal Cooling With Integrated Fluid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical seal arrangements for hot media applications face temperature-related damage and increased heat generation, requiring complex and costly barrier fluid systems, especially in power plant applications.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal arrangement with a rotating and stationary seal ring defining a sealing gap, utilizing a circulation conveyor device with a rotating rotor and hollow cylindrical housing to convey fluid through a cooling device, eliminating the need for a separate barrier circuit and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooled barrier fluid system is used to lower the temperature at the mechanical seal rings, then the temperature at the mechanical seal rings is reduced, but a significant structural design with an additional system for the barrier fluid is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing pump structure by integrating a cooling chamber directly into the pump housing. The barrier fluid is circulated through this integrated cooling chamber rather than through a separate external cooling system, thereby combining multiple functions (pumping and cooling) into a single unified structure that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling of the mechanical seal rings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling chamber as an intermediary component within the pump housing that serves as the medium for heat transfer. This cooling chamber receives the barrier fluid and facilitates cooling of the mechanical seal rings through thermal interaction, acting as a mediator between the barrier fluid system and the mechanical seal, thereby eliminating the need for complex external cooling apparatus
2Temperature
If a separate barrier circuit with an additional circulation pump and cooling medium is implemented, then effective cooling is achieved, but the energy consumption and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the barrier fluid circulation system multi-functional by having it serve both the pumping function and the cooling function simultaneously. The same barrier fluid that lubricates the mechanical seal also flows through the integrated cooling chamber to provide cooling, eliminating the need for separate cooling medium and additional circulation pumps, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the mechanical seal system to cool itself by utilizing the barrier fluid that is already present in the system. The barrier fluid naturally circulates through the integrated cooling chamber within the pump housing, providing self-cooling without requiring external energy input for separate cooling systems, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides improved cooling for the mechanical seal, extending its service life, reducing production and operational costs, and simplifying the design, making it suitable for hot media applications without the need for additional cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (20) arranged in the recirculating line (19) to cool the circulated fluid
Implementation Method 2
The recirculating pump conveys fluid into a recirculating line (19), in which a cooling device (20) is arranged
Implementation Method 3
a mechanical seal with a rotating and a stationary sliding ring, which define a sealing gap (5) between their sliding surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical face seal assembly for sealing on a rotating component (21), comprising a mechanical face seal (2) which has a rotating slide ring (3) and a stationary slide ring (4), which define a sealing gap (5) between their sliding surfaces (3a, 4a); and comprising a circulating conveying device (7) which is arranged adjacently to the rotating slide ring (3). The circulating conveying device (7) comprises a circulating line (19), in which a cooling device (20) for cooling the circulated fluid is arranged, a circulating rotor (8) and a hollow cylindrical housing (9). The circulating line (19) leads to a space (6) in the region of the sealing gap (5) of the mechanical face seal (2). The hollow cylindrical housing (9) has an inner lateral surface (11) and an outer lateral surface (12). A conveying channel (10) is provided on the outer lateral surface (12), which conveying channel is formed from a starting region (13) to an end region (14) along the outer lateral surface (12). The starting region (13) of the conveying channel (10) is separated from the end region (14) by a separating web (15). A plurality of supply openings (16) are provided in the hollow cylindrical housing (9), which supply openings lead from the inner lateral surface (11) into the conveying channel (10). A single outlet opening (17) is provided in the end region (14).