A Study on Liquid Leak Rates in Packing Seals

Abstract

The accurate prediction of liquid leak rates in packing seals is an important step in the design of stuffing boxes, in order to comply with environmental protection laws and health and safety regulations regarding the release of toxic substances or fugitive emissions, such as those implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Technische Anleitung zur Reinhaltung der Luft (TA Luft). Most recent studies conducted on seals have concentrated on the prediction of gas flow, with little to no effort put toward predicting liquid flow. As a result, there is a need to simulate liquid flow through sealing materials in order to predict leakage into the outer boundary. Modelling of liquid flow through porous packing materials was addressed in this work. Characterization of their porous structure was determined to be a key parameter in the prediction of liquid flow through packing materials; the relationship between gland stress and leak rate was also acknowledged. The proposed methodology started by conducting experimental leak measurements with helium gas to characterize the number and size of capillaries. Liquid leak tests with water and kerosene were then conducted in order to validate the predictions. This study showed that liquid leak rates in packed stuffing boxes could be predicted with reasonable accuracy for low gland stresses. It was found that internal pressure and compression stress had an effect on leakage, as did the thickness change and the type of fluid. The measured leak rates were in the range of 0.062 to 5.7 mg/s for gases and 0.0013 and 5.5 mg/s for liquids.