A Novel Bulk-Flow Model for Pocket Damper Seals

Author(s):  
Filippo Cangioli ◽  
Giuseppe Vannini ◽  
Thomas Chirathadam

Abstract In this paper, a novel bulk-flow model for pocket damper seals (PDS) is introduced. The model is based on two control volumes (CVs) for each circumferential pocket of the seal. The continuity, circumferential momentum, and energy equations are considered for each control volume. The circumferential recirculating flow within the pocket is modeled for the first time. The boundary layer theory is used to estimate the recirculating flow area, and the Swamee–Jain friction factor correlation allows for defining the dissipation of the circumferential velocity. The perturbation method is used to solve the partial derivative governing equations in the zeroth- and first-order system of equations. The rotordynamic coefficients are evaluated by integrating the dynamic pressure and rotor shear stresses along the circumferential direction. The predictions are compared to the experimental data, which refer to test conditions representative of high-pressure centrifugal compressors. Numerical predictions are accurate for both high positive–negative inlet preswirl ratios. Leakage predictions are also aligned with measurements. Finally, sealing selection approach is introduced in the paper for comparing the dynamic behavior of two different sealing technologies and identifying stable regions as a function of the rotor natural frequency and preswirl ratio.

Author(s):  
Filippo Cangioli ◽  
Giuseppe Vannini ◽  
Thomas Chirathadam

Abstract In this paper a novel bulk-flow model for pocket damper seals (PDS) is introduced. The model is based on two control volumes for each circumferential pocket of the seal. The continuity, circumferential momentum and energy equations are considered for each control volume. The circumferential recirculating flow within the pocket is modelled for the first time. The boundary layer theory is used to estimate the recirculating flow area, and the Swamee-Jain friction factor correlation allows for defining the dissipation of the circumferential velocity. The perturbation method is used to solve the partial derivative governing equations in the zeroth and first-order system of equations. The rotordynamic coefficients are evaluated by integrating the dynamic pressure and rotor shear stresses along the circumferential direction. The predictions are compared to the experimental data, which refer to test conditions representative of high-pressure centrifugal compressors. Numerical predictions are accurate for both high positive-negative inlet pre-swirl ratios. Leakage predictions are also aligned with measurements. Finally, sealing selection approach is introduced in the paper for comparing the dynamic behaviour of two different sealing technologies and identifying stable regions as a function of the rotor natural frequency and pre-swirl ratio.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan J. D’Souza ◽  
Dara W. Childs

A two-control-volume bulk-flow model is used to predict rotordynamic coefficients for an annular, honeycomb-stator/smooth-rotor gas seal. The bulk-flow model uses Hirs’ turbulent-lubrication model, which requires a friction factor model to define the shear stresses at the rotor and stator wall. Rotordynamic coefficients predictions are compared for the following three variations of the Blasius pipe-friction model: (i) a basic model where the Reynolds number is a linear function of the local clearance, fs=ns Rems (ii) a model where the coefficient is a function of the local clearance, and (iii) a model where both the coefficient and exponent are functions of the local clearance. The latter models are based on data that shows the friction factor increasing with increasing clearances. Rotordynamic-coefficient predictions shows that the friction-factor-model choice is important in predicting the effective-damping coefficients at a lower frequency range (60∼70 Hz) where industrial centrifugal compressors and steam turbines tend to become unstable. At a higher frequency range, irrespective of the friction-factor model, the rotordynamic-coefficient predictions tend to coincide. Blasius-based Models which directly account for the observed increase in stator friction factors with increasing clearance predict significantly lower values for the destabilizing cross-coupled stiffness coefficients.


Author(s):  
Naitik J. Mehta ◽  
Dara W. Childs

Measured results are presented to compare rotordynamic coefficients and leakage of a slanted-tooth labyrinth seal and a straight-tooth labyrinth seal. Both seals had identical pitch, depth, and number of teeth. The teeth inclination angle of the teeth on the slanted-tooth labyrinth was 65 deg from the normal axis. Experiments were carried out at an inlet pressure of 70 bar-a (1015 psi-a), pressure ratios of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, rotor speeds of 10.2, 15.35, and 20.2 krpm, and a radial clearance of 0.2 mm (8 mils). One zero and two positive inlet preswirl ratios were used. The results show only minute difference in the rotordynamic coefficients between the two seals. The slanted-tooth labyrinth seal consistently leaked approximately 10% less at all conditions. Predictions were made using a one control volume bulk-flow model (1CVM) which was developed for a straight-tooth labyrinth seal design. 1CVM under-predicted the rotordynamic coefficients and the leakage.


1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiming Li ◽  
David Ransom ◽  
Luis San Andre´s ◽  
John Vance

Experiments and field applications have demonstrated that multiple-pocket gas damper seals effectively eliminate subsynchronous vibration and attenuate imbalance response at the critical speeds in turbomachinery. A one-control volume, turbulent bulk-flow model for the prediction of the seal leakage and rotordynamic force coefficients of centered multiple-pocket damper seals is hereby detailed. Comparisons of numerical predictions with experimental force coefficients for a four-pocket damper seal are presented. The bulk-flow model and experiments indicate the seal direct stiffness and damping force coefficients are insensitive to journal speed while the cross-coupled stiffnesses increase slightly. However, the current model overpredicts the direct damping coefficient and underpredicts the direct stiffness coefficient for increasing test pressure ratios. Computed results show that the force coefficients of multiple-pocket gas damper seals are also functions of the rotor excitation frequency.


Author(s):  
Naitik J. Mehta ◽  
Dara W. Childs

Measured results are presented to compare rotordynamic coefficients and leakage of a slanted-tooth labyrinth seal and a straight-tooth labyrinth seal. Both seals had identical pitch, depth, and number of teeth. The teeth inclination angle of the teeth on the slanted-tooth labyrinth was 65° from the normal axis. Experiments were carried out at an inlet pressure of 70 bar-a (1015 psi-a), pressure ratios of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, rotor speeds of 10.2, 15.35, and 20.2 krpm, and a radial clearance of 0.2 mm (8 mils). One zero and two positive inlet preswirl ratios were used. The results show only minute difference in the rotordynamic coefficients between the two seals. The slanted-tooth labyrinth seal consistently leaked approximately 10% less at all conditions. Predictions were made using a one control volume bulk-flow model (1CVM) which was developed for a straight-tooth labyrinth seal design. 1CVM under-predicted the rotordynamic coefficients and the leakage.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinobu Tsujimoto ◽  
Yoshiki Yoshida ◽  
Hideo Ohashi ◽  
Norihiro Teramoto ◽  
Shin Ishizaki

Experimental results of fluid moment on a centrifugal impeller shroud in precessing motion are discussed based on the bulk flow model to elucidate the fundamental flow mechanism. It is shown that the backshroud/casing clearance flow and the destabilizing fluid force moment can be simulated by the bulk flow model fairly well if the measured behavior of the resistance is correctly incorporated in the model. From the calculations with and without steady and unsteady wall shear stresses, the unsteady component of the clearance flow is shown to be basically a two-dimensional inviscid flow induced by the change in the flow thickness. The effects of the leakage flow rate and the resistance at the leakage flow entry are discussed, paying attention to the steady tangential velocity of the leakage flow.


Author(s):  
Luis San Andre´s ◽  
Thomas Soulas ◽  
Florence Challier ◽  
Patrice Fayolle

The paper introduces a bulk-flow model for prediction of the static and dynamic force coefficients of angled injection Lomakin bearings. The analysis accounts for the flow interaction between the injection orifices, the supply circumferential groove, and the thin film lands. A one control-volume model in the groove is coupled to a bulk-flow model within the film lands of the bearing. Bernoulli-type relationships provide closure at the flow interfaces. Flow turbulence is accounted for with shear stress parameters and Moody’s friction factors. The flow equations are solved numerically using a robust computational method. Comparisons between predictions and experimental results for a tangential-against-rotation injection water Lomakin bearing show the novel model predicts well the leakage and direct stiffness and damping coefficients. Computed cross-coupled stiffness coefficients follow the experimental trends for increasing rotor speeds and supply pressures, but quantitative agreement remains poor. A parameter investigation evidences the effects of the groove and land geometries on the Lomakin bearing flowrate and force coefficients. The orifice injection angle does not influence the bearing static performance, although it largely affects its stability characteristics through the evolution of the cross-coupled stiffnesses. The predictions confirm the promising stabilizing effect of the tangential-against-rotation injection configuration. Two design parameters, comprising the feed orifices area and groove geometry, define the static and dynamic performance of Lomakin bearing. The analysis also shows that the film land clearance and length have a larger impact on the Lomakin bearing rotordynamic behavior than its groove depth and length.


Author(s):  
Joseph M. Pelletti ◽  
Dara W. Childs

Abstract Experimental results for the rotordynamic coefficients of short (L/D = 1/6) teeth-on-stator and teeth-on-rotor labyrinth seals are presented. The effects that pressure ratio (fluid density), rotor speed, fluid pre-swirl and seal clearance have on these coefficients are studied. Tests were run out to speeds of 16000 rpm with a supply pressure of 17.3 bar and seal clearances ranging from 0.229–0.419 mm. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions of a two control volume compressible flow model. The experimental results show that decreases in pressure ratio and increases in rotor speed are stabilizing while increases in fluid pre-swirl and seal clearance are destabilizing for both seal configurations. The theoretical model correctly predicts the effects of pressure ratio, rotor speed and fluid pre-swirl on the cross-coupled stiffness. It also predicts reasonable values for direct damping for all test conditions. However, the theory incorrectly predicts the effect of seal clearance on these coefficients. Consequently the theoretical predictions are much better for the large clearance seals.


Author(s):  
Naohiko Takahashi ◽  
Haruo Miura ◽  
Mitsuhiro Narita ◽  
Noriyo Nishijima ◽  
Yohei Magara

This paper deals with a new type of damper seal developed for a high-pressure centrifugal compressor. Honeycomb seals and hole-pattern seals are popularly used as damper seals and provide superior rotordynamic damping characteristics. Honeycomb seals are expensive because the manufacturing process is complex. Hole-pattern seals are easier to manufacture, but they are still expensive. Use of a scallop pattern is one way to reduce manufacturing cost and time. A new seal that has a scallop pattern and small teeth on the stator surface is proposed. This pattern is cut on the stator surface using a disc type tool. To estimate the rotordynamic coefficients of this new seal, a bulk flow model code that is based on a two-control-volume model developed by Matsuda for labyrinth seals was newly developed. This model uses the Hirs model for the viscous shear stresses. The friction factor coefficients for the rotor surface, the stator surface and the surface between the two control volumes were determined by CFD steady analysis. The rotordynamic coefficients can also be obtained by using CFD perturbation analysis. The high accuracy of the bulk flow model was demonstrated by comparing its results with CFD perturbation analysis results. In the perturbation analysis, the whirling motion was treated as a steady state problem by using a rotating frame of reference. For the damper seal, the rotor surface and its neighboring region were treated with a rotating frame of reference and the neighboring region of the stator was treated with a stationary frame of reference. The damping property of the new seal was evaluated by conducting rotor stability tests using a high-pressure compressor with an electromagnetic exciter. The new seal equipped with swirl brakes was used for the balance piston of the compressor. Stability was evaluated by exciting the rotor during operation and identifying the eigenvalues of the rotor. The experimental results showed that the new seal increases damping. Comparison of the damping effect with calculations based on the bulk flow analysis showed good agreement.


Author(s):  
Filippo Cangioli ◽  
Paolo Pennacchi ◽  
Giacomo Riboni ◽  
Giuseppe Vannini ◽  
Lorenzo Ciuchicchi ◽  
...  

Since the 80s, academic research in the rotordynamics field has developed mathematical treatment for the prediction of the dynamic coefficients of sealing components. Dealing with the straight-through labyrinth seal, Iwatsubo [1], at a first stage, and Childs [2], later on, have developed the one-control volume bulk flow model. The model allows evaluating the surrounding fluid forces acting on the rotor, analyzing the fluid dynamics within the seal: the continuity, circumferential momentum and energy equations are solved for each cavity. To consider axial fluid dynamics, correlations, aiming to estimate the leakage and the pressure distribution, are required. Several correlations have been proposed in the literature for the estimation of the leakage, of the kinetic energy carry-over coefficient (KE), of the discharge coefficient and of the friction factor. After decades of research in the field of seal dynamics, the bulk-flow model has been confirmed as the most popular code in the industries, however, it is not clear which is the best set of correlations for the prediction of seal dynamic coefficients. This paper allows identifying the most accurate combination of correlations to be implemented in the bulk-flow model. The correlations are related to: the leakage formula, the flow coefficient, the KE and the friction factor. Investigating the results of several models (32 models), which consider different sets of correlations, in comparison to the experimental data (performed by General Electric Oil & Gas), it is possible to observe the dependence, of the model correlations, on the operating conditions. The experimental results, performed using a 14 teeth-on-stator labyrinth seal, investigate several operating conditions of pressure drop.


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