TransWikia.com

Gas Seal for slowly turning shaft

Engineering Asked on January 25, 2021

I am working on a small waste treatment project where there is a small mixing vessel (about 5 liters – more or less 20cm diameter). The mixing process produces methane gas which shouldn’t escape the confines of the mixing vessel (odor and flammability).

Some other salient parameters (as I perceive them):

  • The shaft diameter is small (about 16mm).
  • the shaft rotates really slow (about 10-30 rpm).
  • the pressure of the gas is low (just over 1Atm ).

I was wondering whether what type of seal would be most appropriate for this type of application. My first instinct was a lip sea with a garter spring. I know there are other types of seals (e.g. packing, mechanical seals, tandem, cartridge), but I have little to no experience with most of them.

The cost would be a primary driver in this application, so any indication about the *cost effectiveness * would be welcome. For example, I have seen some of gas seals used in the petroleum industry but the cost is prohibitive.

2 Answers

Have you considered enclosing that mixing vessel entirely then you only have pipe in and pipe out and an electrical connection.

Answered by Solar Mike on January 25, 2021

Nitrile rubber (Buna-N) o-ring seals would be the most cost effective choice for your application. This is a valuable resource on o-ring seal design, for your case a dynamic rotary seal.

Answered by jko on January 25, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP