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Research Papers: Materials and Fabrication

Correlation of Gaseous Mass Leak Rates Through Micro- and Nanoporous Gaskets

[+] Author and Article Information
Lotfi Grine

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, 1100 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canadagrinelot@yahoo.fr.

Abdel-Hakim Bouzid

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, 1100 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canadahakim.bouzid@etsmtl.ca.

J. Pressure Vessel Technol 133(2), 021402 (Feb 10, 2011) (6 pages) doi:10.1115/1.4002742 History: Received October 06, 2009; Revised February 17, 2010; Published February 10, 2011; Online February 10, 2011

Abstract

The present work deals with the theoretical and experimental studies of gaseous flow through tight gaskets. The paper presents an innovative approach to accurately predict and correlate leak rates of several gases through nanoporous gaskets. The new approach is based on the calculation of the gasket porosity parameters ($D$ and $N$) using a model based on a first order slip flow regime. The model assumes the flow to be continuum but employs a slip boundary condition on the leak path wall. Experimental measured gas flow rates were performed on gaskets with a microscopic flow rate range and isothermal steady conditions. The flow rate is accurately measured using multigas mass spectrometers. The gasket porosity parameters used in the developed leakage rate formula were experimentally obtained for a reference gas (helium) for each stress level. In the presence of the statistical properties of a porous gasket, the leak rates for different gases can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. It was found that the approach that considers the slip flow with the first order combined to the molecular flow covers the prediction of flow rates at the microscopy level and down to $10−8 mg/s$ very well. Tightness hardening is the result of the saturation of the gasket combined porosity parameters or the equivalent thickness of the void layer.

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Figures

Figure 1

Capillary model

Figure 2

Annular model

Figure 3

ROTT machine

Figure 4

A1 and A2 versus the reciprocal pressure ratio; (a) Sg=27.59 MPa, (b) Sg=55.17 MPa, and (c) Sg=82.76 MPa

Figure 5

Gas correlation; PTFE at 27.59 MPa; (a) N2, (b) Ar, and (c) air

Figure 6

Gas correlation; PTFE at 55.17 MPa; (a) for nitrogen, (b) for argon, and (c) for air

Figure 7

Mass leak rates versus Kni; PTFE at 27.59 MPa; (a) for nitrogen, (b) for argon, and (c) for air

Figure 8

Mass leak rates versus Kni; PTFE at 55.17 MPa; (a) for nitrogen, (b) for argon, and (c) for air

Figure 9

Helium leak rate for different pressures: effect of tightness hardening

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