Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Gas Flow in the Axisymmetric Radial Clearance

Damian Joachimiak and Andrzej Frąckowiak
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Damian Joachimiak: Institute of Thermal Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Andrzej Frąckowiak: Institute of Thermal Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: This paper focuses on the analysis of the gas flow in the axisymmetric mini gap bounded by the surface of the top of the labyrinth seal tooth and the surface of the body. It includes the results of experimental research and numerical calculations. Experimental research focused on the analysis of gas flow for six clearance heights in a wide range of pressure drops. Based on this research, we determined the mass flow in the clearance. Using the Saint-Venant equation, we determined the flow coefficient versus the pressure ratio upstream and downstream from the seal. Flow coefficients for various clearance heights obtained from the experiment can be divided into two data groups, the values of which differ significantly. To explain changes in the value of the gas flow coefficient for selected clearance heights, numerical analysis of the said gas flow was performed using the Fluent software. This analysis allowed us to explain the reason for the variability of the flow coefficient. This research can be the basis for determining the change of seal integrity during operation for staggered and stepped seals.

Keywords: mini gap; labyrinth seal; experiment; leakage; flow coefficient; CFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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