Mechanical Seals with Laser Machined Wavy SiC Faces for High Duty Boiler Circulation and Feedwater Applications~©

摘要

Mechanical seals for the power industry have been around forrnmore than 40 years in boiler circulation and feed water applications.rnHowever, there are still power generating facilities todayrnthat rely on packing as a source of sealing for these services. Thisrnpaper explores the further development of the mechanical seal inrnthese applications highlighting advancements in technology.rnSpecifically, laser micro-machined seal faces using a proprietaryrnwave pattern are discussed and its role in providing significantrncost savings, higher reliability, order of magnitude lower leakrnrates, and reduction in the complexity of support systems.rnLaboratory tests reported in this paper demonstrate thatrnmechanical seals employing silicon carbide vs. silicon carbidernwavy faces allow operation under severe operating conditions.rnConditions included pressures to 20.9 MPa (3025 psi), chamberrntemperatures to 204℃ (400℉), shaft speeds to 5550 rpm, inclusionrnof fine particle contamination, and high concentrations of airrningestion.