7. Glossary

sonic blocking; choked flow

Flow-limiting phenomenon that occurs when the fluid reaches the speed of sound near the flow outlet.

balance ratio

Ratio between the area to which high pressure is applied (on the seal's floating element) and the area of the sealing interface. This coefficient governs the magnitude of the mechanical seal's closing force.

saturation curve; courbe de saturation

Curve separating the liquid and gas phases in a pressure-temperature phase diagram.

fluide compressible; compressible fluid

Fluid whose volume can be varied: gas or mixture of liquid and gas.

diphasic fluid; two-phases fluid

Fluid consisting of a mixture of two distinct phases: liquid...