Analysis of conjugate heat transfer and turbulent flow in mechanical seals

A numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer of turbulent flow within a mechanical seal chamber is presented. The computational model takes into account the heat generation at the contact interface between the rotating ring and the stationary ring, heat conduction into the rings, and heat convection into the surrounding fluid in the chamber. Correlations are developed for predicting the average heat transfer coefficient on the wetted outer surfaces of the seal rings assuming that the flow in the seal chamber is turbulent.