Liquid Leak Predictions in Micro- and Nanoporous Gaskets

In recent years, quite few experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted to predict gas leak rate through gaskets. However, a very limited work is done on liquid leak rates through gaskets. The slip flow model is used to predict liquid flow through porous gaskets based on measurements of gas flow at different pressures. In fact, an extrapolation of the porosity parameter approach (Grine, L., and Bouzid, A., 2009, “Correlation of Gaseous Mass Leak Rates Through Micro and Nano-Porous Gaskets,” ASME Paper No. PVP2009-77205) used to correlate leak rates between different gases is used to predict liquid leak rates. In the present article, an analytical-computational methodology based on the number and pore size to predict liquid micro- and nanoflows in the slip flow regime through gaskets is presented. The formulation is based on the Navier–Stokes equations associated with slip boundary condition at the wall. The mass leak rates through a gasket considered as a porous media under various experimental conditions of fluid media, pressure, and gasket stress were conducted on a special gasket test rig. Gaseous and liquid leaks are measured and comparisons with the analytical predictions are made.