Abstract
In this study a general Galerkin FE lubrication analysis method was utilized to analyze the complex lubrication performance of a spiral groove seal having an additional inner circular groove, which was designed for a chemical process mixer operating at a low speed of the maximum 500 rpm. Equilibrium seal clearance analyses under varying outer pressure revealed that the seal maintains a certain levitation seal clearance under the outer pressure of more than about 1.5 bar, regardless of a rotating speed. Also, under the normal outer pressure of 11 bar, the axial stiffness of the seal was predicted to have a high value of more than 7.0 e + 07 N/m, regardless of a rotating speed and thereby, the seal is expected to maintain a stable thickness of lubrication film under a certain external excitation acting. A seal levitation test rig was designed and constructed. Experimental results at 500 rpm agreed well with analytical predictions and the applied lubrication analysis method was verified.