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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A STUDY OF ROTARY SHAFT-SEALING CONCEPTS FOR PRESSURIZED-WATER REACTOR APPLICATION. Quarterly Progress Report for October-December, 1962

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4756146
The operation and limitations of various concepts of rotary shaft sealing for pressurized-water reactor applications are being studied. The range of operating conditions, which are of interest for application to primary-coolant loops of water-cooled nuclear reactors designed to produce 250 megawatts of electrical power were previously established. The behavior of rotary face seals is being studied by means of an instrumented transparent model. The use of a transparent rotor provides an opportunity for direct observation of the fluid in the seal gap during operation. The seal apparatus was designed, constructed, and commissioned. Initial operation has not disclosed any serious problems, though a revised water circulation system, which substitutes a double loop for the former singleloop system, is being installed. Instrumentation for determining the dynamic seal gap width has been evaluated and seems satisfactory for the purpose intended. A packedgland seal facility was designed and is being constructed. The facility will be capable of handling both conventional and inverted packing- seal configurations. Instrumentation includes means for measurement of packing temperature and frictional torque and optical systems for direct observation of the packing rubbing interface. Analytical research was initiated towards developing seal-packing configurations which will provide greatly improved cooling and lubrication of the seal interface. (auth)
Research Organization:
Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-92
NSA Number:
NSA-17-015387
OSTI ID:
4756146
Report Number(s):
BMI-X-10032; EURAEC-547
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English