Fluidic Jet Barriers for Sealing Applications

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon I. Hogg ◽  
Isabel Gomez Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Fluid Jets ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Upstream Direction ◽  
Physical Barriers

The turbine industry is continually looking for new developments to improve thermodynamic performance and sealing has received significant attention over the years. Fluidic seals employ aerodynamic flow features to create blockage/loss and reduce leakage, rather than relying on physical barriers to flow such as brush seal bristle packs etc. They are also potentially cheaper to implement than contacting seal technologies such as brush seals. The fundamental mechanism by which fluid jets inclined in an upstream direction produce blockage and reduce the flow along leakage channels are examined in the paper. Computational Fluid Dynamics is used to quantify the net gain in leakage performance that can be achieved in simple channel flow for various operating conditions and jet configurations. These results are used to guide further CFD calculations in which the potential for leakage reduction from adapting conventional labyrinth turbomachinery seal designs to include fluidic jets is investigated. Calculations are carried out for operating conditions that are typical of gas and steam turbine applications, in order to demonstrate the potential of new seal designs of this generic type. The device considered in the paper is essentially a conventional labyrinth seal design which is modified to include internal flow channels within the structure supporting the labyrinth fins, to supply the fluidic jets. The new technology is therefore a modification to an existing component with potential for application in existing turbine designs, requiring no/minimal changes outside of the seal design space to implement.

Effects of Geometry on Brush Seal Pressure and Flow Fields—Part II: Backing Plate Configurations

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahya Dogu ◽  
Mahmut F. Aksit
Keyword(s):  
Constant Pressure ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Control Flow ◽  
Blow Down ◽  
Backing Plate ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Pressure Fields ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Flow Features

Brush seal dynamic behavior is strongly related to pressure and flow fields. Developments in brush seal design have led to geometric modifications to control flow field and consequent brush seal issues including blow-down, hang-up, and pressure stiffening. Some of the geometric enhancements have been found to have common use as backing plate modifications. Over the two decades of brush seal evolution, many backing plate configurations have been suggested in numerous patent disclosures. Even so, literature on the effects of geometric modifications on pressure and flow fields remains limited. This study numerically investigates brush seal pressure and flow fields for such common conceptual backing plate configurations as single and multiple grooves, with and without by-pass passages. The CFD analysis presented employs a bulk porous medium approach for the bristle pack. The effectiveness of various backing plate configurations outlining important flow features is discussed. Results indicate that backing plate configurations have a decisive role in shaping seal pressure fields. In general, it has been found that all cases having bypass configuration leak more. Moreover, the major portion of the seal leakage through fence height is fed from the backing plate cavity. The single backing plate groove forms a constant pressure behind the bristle pack. In contrast, multiple grooves form multiple constant pressure regions.

Evaluation of Flow Behavior for Clearance Brush Seals

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahya Dogu ◽  
Mahmut F. Aksit ◽  
Mehmet Demiroglu ◽  
Osman Saim Dinc
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
Initial Clearance

The industrial applications of brush seals have been increasing due to their superior sealing performance. Advances in the understanding of seal behavior have been pushing the design limits to higher-pressure load, temperature, surface speed, and rotor excursion levels. The highest sealing performance can be achieved when the bristle pack maintains contact with the rotor surface. However, due to many design and operational constraints, most seals operate with some clearance. This operating clearance cannot be avoided due to rotor runouts, transient operating conditions, or excessive bristle wear. In some applications, a minimum initial clearance is required to ensure a certain amount of flow rate for component cooling or purge flow. Typically, brush seal failure occurs in the form of degraded sealing performance due to increasing seal clearance. The seal performance is mainly characterized by the flow field in close vicinity of the bristle pack, through the seal-rotor clearance, and within the bristle pack. This work investigates the flow field for a brush seal operating with some bristle-rotor clearance. A nonlinear form of the momentum transport equation for a porous medium of the bristle pack has been solved by employing the computational fluid dynamics analysis. The results are compared with prior experimental data. The flow field for the clearance seal is observed to have different characteristics compared to that for the contact seal. Outlined as well are the flow features influencing the bristle dynamics.

Fundamental Design Issues of Brush Seals for Industrial Applications

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saim Dinc ◽  
Mehmet Demiroglu ◽  
Norman Turnquist ◽  
Jason Mortzheim ◽  
Gayle Goetze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Design Criteria ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
As Stress

Advanced seals have been applied to numerous turbine machines over the last decade to improve the performance and output. Industrial experiences have shown that significant benefits can be attained if the seals are designed and applied properly. On the other hand, penalties can be expected if brush seals are not designed correctly. In recent years, attempts have been made to apply brush seals to more challenging locations with high speed (>400 m/s), high temperature (>650 °C), and discontinuous contact surfaces, such as blade tips in a turbine. Various failure modes of a brush seal can be activated under these conditions. It becomes crucial to understand the physical behavior of a brush seal under the operating conditions, and to be capable of quantifying seal life and performance as functions of both operating parameters and seal design parameters. Design criteria are required for different failure modes such as stress, fatigue, creep, wear, oxidation etc. This paper illustrates some of the most important brush seal design criteria and the trade-off of different design approaches.

Analysis of Contact Mechanics for Rotor-Bristle Interference of Brush Seal

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Stango ◽  
H. Zhao ◽  
C. Y. Shia
Keyword(s):  
Contact Force ◽  
Flexural Rigidity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Deformation Mechanics

Brush seals have proven to be an attractive alternative to labyrinth seals for turbomachinery applications. This innovation in seal technology utilizes both the high temperature capability of special-alloy wire and the flexural adaptability of fibers to accommodate a wide range of operating conditions that are encountered during service. The effectiveness of the seal is principally derived from the bristles ability to endure forces imparted by both the fluid and shaft, and yet maintain contact between the filament tips and the surface of the rotor. Consequently, contact forces generated along the interface of the fiber tip and rotor are an important consideration for both the design and performance of the rotor-seal assembly. This paper focuses on evaluating brush seal forces that arise along the surface of the rotor due to the dimensional disparity or interference between the rotor-fiber. Filament tip contact forces are computed on the basis of an in-plane, large deformation mechanics analysis of a cantilever beam, and validation of the model is assessed by using an electronic balance for measuring the shear and normal force exerted by a bristle tip onto a flat, hardened surface. Formulation of the mechanics problem is briefly reviewed, and includes the effect of Coulombic friction at the interface of the fiber tip and rotor. Filament contact force is used as a basis for computing bearing stress along the fiber-rotor interface. Results are reported for a range of brush seal design parameters in order to provide a better understanding of the role that seal geometry, friction, and bristle flexural rigidity play in generating rotor contact force.

CAE Based Brush Seal Characterization for Stiffness and Stress Levels

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tolga Duran ◽  
Mahmut F. Aksit ◽  
Murat Ozmusul
Keyword(s):  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Backing Plate ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
State Pressure

Brush seals are complex structures having variety of design parameters, all of which affect the seal behavior under turbine operating conditions. The complicated nature of the seal pack and frictional interactions of rotor, backing plate and bristles result in nonlinear response of the brush seal to variances of design parameters. This study presents CAE based characterization of brush seals, which aims to investigate the main effects of several brush seal design parameters on brush seal stiffness and stress levels. Characterization work of this study includes free-state rotor rub (unpressurized seal), steady state (pressure load without rotor interference) and pressurized-rotor interference conditions.

Influence of Geometry on Rotordynamic Coefficients of Brush Seal

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Wei ◽  
Earl H. Dowell ◽  
Zhaobo Chen ◽  
Yinghou Jiao ◽  
Zhouqiang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Rotordynamic Coefficients ◽  
Geometric Configurations ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIt has been observed that the geometry of a brush seal has a significant effect on the sealing performance. However, the relationship between rotordynamic coefficients and geometry factors of the brush seal itself are rarely considered. In this article, the rotordynamic coefficients of a typical single-stage brush seal for different geometries and operating conditions were numerically analyzed using CFD RANS solutions coupled with a non-Darcian porous medium model. The reaction force which plays an essential role in rotordynamic coefficients was obtained by integrating the dynamic pressure distribution. The influence of the bristle pack thickness, fence height, clearance size and other working condition parameters on aerodynamic force, stiffness coefficients, and damping coefficients of brush seal were presented and compared. In addition, the effects of various geometric configurations on pressure and flow features were also discussed.

Design Features and Performance Details of Brush Seals for Turbine Applications

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Neef ◽  
Erik Sulda ◽  
Norbert Su¨rken ◽  
Jan Walkenhorst
Keyword(s):  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Performance Degradation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
And Performance

Adaptive and contacting seals such as brush seals have been successfully applied to turbomachinery for several years. In large steam turbine applications, however, various challenges still persist. Special focus is directed at the long-term performance and longevity of brushes on conventional spring-backed seal segments in steam turbines. This issue is particularly related to wear during startup conditions. This paper discusses the results of wear tests, derived from simulated transient turbine behavior, where the resultant seal leakage under steady state conditions is monitored. It is shown that the brush seal is significantly capable of adapting to varying operating conditions, but exhibits a degree of performance degradation during the initial startups. Together with previously reported mid-term wear data and an experience based long-term phenomenological approach a general model for brush seal performance degradation is developed. This model can be used for performance prediction and exerts influence on brush seal design.

Experimental Characterisation of the Stiffness and Leakage of a Prototype Leaf Seal for Turbine Applications

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo H. J. Jahn ◽  
Andrew K. Owen ◽  
Gervas Franceschini ◽  
David Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Slow Speed ◽  
Leaf Pack ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
Attractive Option ◽  
Annular Clearance ◽  
Experimental Characterisation

The leaf seal, a seal comprising multiple flexible elements, offers similar leakage to a brush seal, but may have other benefits that make it a more attractive option in some applications. This paper details an experimental investigation of the leakage and stiffness of a pair of prototype leaf seals carried out in a slow speed rotating rig at differential pressures of up to 0, 4 MPa. The stiffness is characterised by measuring the force required to create excursions of the housing relative to the seal. The results are presented in terms of the effective annular clearance of an idealised labyrinth seal. For a single seal design, in which contact between the leaf tips causes inherent damping in the seal, the effect of changes in seal housing geometry are reported. The results observed are explained with reference to the flow field in the leaf pack.

Development of Brush Seal Technology for Steam Turbine Retrofit Applications

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Stephen ◽  
Simon I. Hogg
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Seal Design ◽  
Brush Seal ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Brush Seals ◽  
Improved Design ◽  
Aero Engines ◽  
Operational Issues

Increased cylinder efficiency is one of the main drivers in the steam turbine retrofit market, particularly for HP and IP modules. To-date most retrofit turbine suppliers have concentrated their efforts on improving the aerodynamic efficiency of blades and other steampath components, optimizing stage numbers and reducing leakage losses. Developments in all of these areas rely heavily on improved design and analysis tools to refine existing designs and evaluate new concepts. The opportunity exists to further reduce leakage losses by replacing conventional labyrinth seal designs by more advanced turbomachinery sealing technology. Brush seals, which have now been used successfully in some gas turbine (mainly aero-engines) applications for several years, are a natural candidate for steam turbine retrofits. Careful thought is needed when applying brush seals as the mechanical integrity of the cylinder needs to be maintained at all times. Attempts to increase performance should never be at the expense of availability and reliability. This paper describes the development work undertaken by the authors’ company and covers research in the areas of brush seal design, performance improvement, operational issues, and life assessment.

Evaluation of Non-Cavitating Steady State Performance of an Aero-Engine Gear Pump by Numerical Methods

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivakumar Ulaganathan ◽  
Ch. Kanna Babu ◽  
Girish Kalyanrao Degaonkar
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Gear Pump ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Gear Pumps ◽  
Aero Engines

External gear pumps are typically used in aero-engines for the fuel and lubrication system due to its simplicity in construction. The design of the gear pump has been considerably improved over several years by including design features to improve its overall performance and reliability. In this paper, three-dimensional numerical analysis of an external gear was carried out by including design features such as scallops at the inlet and outlet, radial and axial clearances, journal bearing clearances and the axial tilt of the supporting bushes. The Immersed Solid Method (ISM) is used to analyze the gear pump at different operating conditions. The applicability of different turbulence models to the Immersed solid method is discussed. The internal flow features are discussed and compared with the results available in the literature. The Pump characteristics curve developed from the numerical analysis using the Immersed solid method (ISM) is compared with the experimental test results.

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