A kind of self-pumping hydrodynamic mechanical seal was presented based on the principle of centrifugal pump. The three-dimensional flow fields of self-pumping grooves were analyzed using Fluent

and the influences of geometric parameters and operating parameters on the sealing properties

including opening force and leakage rate were also discussed. Leakage rate and opening force decreased with increasing speed

and increased with increasing pressure

aperture diameter

helix angle and the ratio of groove width and ridge width. With increasing groove number

ratio of groove length and dam length

opening force decreased and leakage rate increased slightly. The influence of groove depth on opening force was similar to the influence on leakage rate

and there existed an optimal groove depth which could achieve higher opening force and lower leakage rate. Consequently

the self-pumping hydrodynamic mechanical seal proposed could get larger opening force and lower leakage rate by matching groove parameters.