Session: 25-04 Seals

Paper Number: 82221

82221 - Dynamic Seal Test Rig: O-Ring Leakage and Sliding Friction Measurements 

Rubber O-rings play a critical role in the dynamic sealing of a wide-variety of machinery. Dynamic O-rings are used as sealing elements in hydraulic rod and piston seals, as well as secondary sealing elements in mechanical and dry-gas seals. Motion between the dynamic and static parts of the machine is most often lubricated by the process fluid, and therefore has leakage. There is little available information in the literature on the leakage performance of dynamic O-rings at high pressures, especially for gas sealing. This paper presents a new test rig capable of measuring leakage and friction force of annular sliding seals for a range of sealing pressures, temperatures, fluids, and motion. The rig is capable of large linear motions and high frequency dynamic motion. The large linear motion replicates piston movement or shaft thermal growth and the dynamic excitation matches the typical vibration response from a spinning shaft. The paper also presents the experimental results from three different material O-rings at sealing pressures up to 1,000 psi in CO2. The rings were tested for both large ranges of motion, and dynamic excitations. The O-rings have a diameter of 150 mm. The three materials tested are: Buna, Viton, and Silicone. The Buna and Viton rings had better leakage performance but also higher friction forces.

Presenting Author: Thomas Kerr Texas A&M University

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Kerr works at Southwest Research Institute in the Rotating Machinery Group. He received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M at the turbomachinery lab.

Authors:

Thomas Kerr Texas A&M University
Jordan Nielson Southwest Research Institute