Mechanical Seal Cooling Channels for Centrifugal Separator Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal separators face issues with mechanical seal failure and leakage due to heat generation and temperature differences between seal surfaces, leading to reduced lifespan and increased risk of leakage.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical seal device with a first and second seal ring, where a channel for a cooling fluid is integrated in the first seal ring, with the outlet positioned radially outward from the central axis, allowing the cooling fluid to absorb heat and equalize temperatures, preventing cracks and deformations, and maintaining a tight seal without additional seals radially outward.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical seals are arranged between rotational and stationary parts in the centrifugal separator, then leakage is prevented and sealing is achieved, but heat is generated due to relative rotational movement which reduces seal lifespan and may cause seal failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidheat generation in seal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful heat generated at the seal interface is extracted by introducing a cooling fluid through channels in the seal body. The cooling fluid absorbs the heat from the rotating seal surface, preventing temperature buildup that would otherwise lead to seal failure and extending seal lifespan while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the rotating and stationary seal parts. This fluid mediates the heat transfer from the high-friction seal interface to the cooling channels, allowing the seal to maintain its sealing function while the cooling fluid carries away the generated heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If cooling channels are added to the seal structure, then heat is removed and seal lifespan is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal lifespanVSAvoidseal structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channels are merged into the seal body structure itself, combining the sealing function and cooling function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate cooling systems and reduces overall device complexity while still providing effective heat removal to extend seal lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal structure is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a sealing element and as a heat dissipation system. The channels that would otherwise be empty space are utilized for cooling fluid flow, making the seal structure universally functional for both sealing and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If the outlet of the cooling channel is positioned radially outward, then cooling effectiveness is improved and temperature differences are reduced, but the risk of leakage increases due to additional sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformity in sealVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure of the cooling fluid, which could potentially cause leakage, is converted into a beneficial force by directing the outlet radially outward where the fluid can dissipate heat effectively. The same fluid pressure that poses a leakage risk also ensures adequate flow through the channels to maintain temperature uniformity and prevent seal failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The mechanical seal device extends the lifespan of the centrifugal separator, reduces the risk of seal failure and leakage, and maintains a hermetic seal with low temperature differences, ensuring a prolonged operational life and effective separation of fluids and gases.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling fluid will pass adjacent to the first seal surface and thus the formed seal. Heat generated by the relative movement of the first and second seal surfaces may be absorbed by the cooling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the at least one channel is configured to equalize the temperature in the seal rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12103017B2Mechanical seal device

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB

AI summary

A mechanical seal device for a centrifugal separator includes a first seal ring including a first seal surface and a second seal ring including a second seal surface. The first and second seal surfaces are configured to face each other to form a seal, and at least one channel for a cooling fluid is arranged in the first seal ring. The at least one channel includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the at least one channel is arranged at the first seal surface of the first seal ring. A centrifugal separator includes the mechanical seal device.