Mechanical Behaviour Of Special Type Seals Used In The Fbr Application

Leak tightness of the radioactive pressure boundary is one of the important safety requirements of the nuclear reactors. Dynamic seals present in the various mechanisms of fast breeder reactors (FBR) play an important role in achieving the required leak tightness. Dynamic seals allow high relative velocity and offer low frictional resistance at a moderate temperature between the mating surfaces of these mechanisms. An in-house designed and developed labyrinth type V-ring seals are used as dynamic seals in various mechanisms of Indian FBRs. Design of V-ring seal is frozen based on engineering judgement. Detailed stress analysis of these seals is the main focus of the present paper. The stress analysis revealed that the design intent of the seals is only partially met, with the scope for design improvements. Studies are extended to optimise the seal geometry for enhanced performance.