Experimental Inverstigations On the Pressure Fluctuations in the Sealing Gap of Dry Gas Seals with Embedded Pressure Sensors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Luo ◽  
Dieter Brillert
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Mechanical Seals ◽  
Process Gas ◽  
Sealing Gap

Abstract Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS), most commonly found in centrifugal compressors, prevent the process gas flow into the atmosphere. Especially when high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS is the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. In order to investigate the flow field in the sealing gap and to facilitate the numerical prediction of the seal performance, a dedicated test facility is developed to carry out the measurement of key parameters in the gas film. Gas in the sealing film varies according to the seal inlet pressure, and the thickness of gas film depends on this fluctuated pressure. In this paper, the test facility, measurement methods and the first results of static pressure measurements in the sealing gap of the DGS obtained in the described test facility are presented. An industry DGS with three-dimensional grooves on the surface of the rotating ring, where experimental investigations take place, is used. The static pressure in the gas film is measured, up to 20 bar and 8,100 rpm, by several high frequency ultraminiature pressure transducers embedded into the stationary ring. The experimental results are discussed and compared with the numerical model programmed in MATLAB, the characteristic and magnitude of which have a good agreement with the numerical simulations. It suggests the feasibility of measuring pressure profiles of the standard industry DGS under pressurized dynamic operating conditions without altering the key components of the seal and thereby affecting the seal performance.

Experimental Investigations on the Pressure Fluctuations in the Sealing Gap of Dry Gas Seals With Embedded Pressure Sensors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Luo ◽  
Dieter Brillert
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Mechanical Seals ◽  
Process Gas ◽  
Sealing Gap

Abstract Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS), most commonly found in centrifugal compressors, prevent the process gas flow into the atmosphere. Especially when high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS is the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. Even though the non-contacting seal is proved reliable; the ultra-thin gas film can still lead to a host of potential problems due to possible contact. In order to investigate the flow field in the sealing gap and to facilitate the numerical prediction of the seal performance, a dedicated test facility is developed to carry out the measurement of key parameters in the gas film. Gas in the sealing film varies according to the seal inlet pressure, and the thickness of gas film depends on this fluctuated pressure. In this paper, the test facility, measurement methods and the first results of static pressure measurements in the sealing gap of the DGS obtained in the described test facility are presented. An industry DGS with three-dimensional grooves on the surface of the rotating ring, where experimental investigations take place, is used. The static pressure in the gas film is measured, up to 20 bar and 8,100 rpm, by several high frequency ultraminiature pressure transducers embedded into the stationary ring. The experimental results are discussed and compared with the numerical model programmed in MATLAB [1], the characteristic and magnitude of which have a good agreement with the numerical simulations. It suggests the feasibility of measuring pressure profiles of the standard industry DGS under pressurized dynamic operating conditions without altering the key components of the seal and thereby affecting the seal performance.

Experimental Studies on Dry Gas Seals With Time-Resolved Film Thickness Measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Luo ◽  
Dieter Brillert
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effect ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Mechanical Seals ◽  
Gas Seals ◽  
Sealing Gap

Abstract Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS) are acknowledged as the sophisticated shaft end sealing solution which is most commonly found in turbo-compressors. Especially under demanding conditions where high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS becomes the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. A reliable operation of DGS, due to the non-contact running between its rotating and stationary rings, is secured by the gas film in the region of a few microns in thickness. This paper presents the measurement method of obtaining the thickness of the running gap in two radial positions, namely the inner and outer diameter of the sealing gap, by integrating the proximity sensors in the stationary ring. The experimental investigations concerning film thicknesses, pressure distributions in the gas film and axial vibrations are carried out in an industry DGS up to 50 bar and 10,000 rpm, whereby a good insight into the dynamic behaviour of the sealing gap is provided. The results demonstrate the practicability of obtaining the gas film parameters in a grooved gas seal, bridging the gap between theory and practice. In combination with the experimental work presented in this paper, the numerical model for simulating the seal performance programmed in MATLAB is compared and validated. The comparisons for various operating conditions and groove profiles are discussed with the focus lying on the hydrodynamic effect in the gas film.

Influence of the Variation of Plasma Torch Parameters on Particle Melting and Solidification

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Vardelle ◽  
P. Fauchais ◽  
A. Vardelle ◽  
A.C. Léger
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Characteristic Parameters ◽  
Powder Mass ◽  
Arc Current ◽  
Plasma Sprayed ◽  
Carrier Gas Flow ◽  
Melting And Solidification

Abstract A study of the flattening and cooling of particles plasma-sprayed on a substrate is presented. The characteristic parameters of the splats are linked to the parameters of the impacting particles by using an experimental device consisting of a phase Doppler particle analyzer and a high-speed pyrometer. However, during the long experiments required to get reliable correlations, it was observed that variations in plasma spray operating conditions may alter the particles behavior in the plasma jet. Therefore, a simple and easy-to-use system was developed to control in real time the spray jet. In this paper, the effect of carrier gas flow rate, arc current and powder mass flow rate is investigated. The results on zirconia and alumina powders show the capability of the technique to sense the particle spray position and width.

scholarly journals Strong Azimuthal Combustion Instabilities in a Spray Annular Chamber With Intermittent Partial Blow-Off

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Prieur ◽  
Daniel Durox ◽  
Thierry Schuller ◽  
Sébastien Candel
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Transverse Velocity ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Nodal Line ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Acoustic Energy ◽  
Transverse Motion ◽  
Azimuthal Mode

This article reports experiments carried out in the MICCA-spray combustor developed at EM2C laboratory. This system comprises 16 swirl spray injectors. Liquid n-heptane is injected by simplex atomizers. The combustion chamber is formed by two cylindrical quartz tubes allowing full optical access to the flame region and it is equipped with 12 pressure sensors recording signals in the plenum and chamber. A high-speed camera provides images of the flames and photomultipliers record the light intensity from different flames. For certain operating conditions, the system exhibits well defined instabilities coupled by the first azimuthal mode of the chamber at a frequency of 750 Hz. These instabilities occur in the form of bursts. Examination of the pressure and the light intensity signals gives access to the acoustic energy source term. Analysis of the phase fluctuations between the two signals is carried out using cross-spectral analysis. At limit cycle, large pressure fluctuations of 5000 Pa are reached, and these levels persist over a finite period of time. Analysis of the signals using the spin ratio indicates that the standing mode is predominant. Flame dynamics at the pressure antinodal line reveals a strong longitudinal pulsation with heat release rate oscillations in phase and increasing linearly with the acoustic pressure for every oscillation levels. At the pressure nodal line, the flames are subjected to large transverse velocity fluctuations leading to a transverse motion of the flames and partial blow-off. Scenarios and modeling elements are developed to interpret these features.

Fuel Influence on Targeted Gas Turbine Combustion Properties: Part I — Detailed Diagnostics

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Mosbach ◽  
Victor Burger ◽  
Barani Gunasekaran
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Optical Measurements ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
High Speed Imaging ◽  
Combustion Properties ◽  
First Results

The threshold combustion performance of different fuel formulations under simulated altitude relight conditions were investigated in the altitude relight test facility located at the Rolls-Royce plc. Strategic Research Centre in Derby, UK. The combustor employed was a twin-sector representation of an RQL gas turbine combustor. Eight fuels including conventional crude-derived Jet A-1 kerosene, synthetic paraffinic kerosenes (SPKs), linear paraffinic solvents, aromatic solvents and pure compounds were tested. The combustor was operated at sub-atmospheric air pressure of 41 kPa and air temperature of 265 K. The temperature of all fuels was regulated to 288 K. The combustor operating conditions corresponded to a low stratospheric flight altitude near 9 kilometres. The experimental work at the Rolls-Royce (RR) test-rig consisted of classical relight envelope ignition and extinction tests, and ancillary optical measurements: Simultaneous high-speed imaging of the OH* chemiluminescence and of the soot luminosity was used to visualize both the transient combustion phenomena and the combustion behaviour of the steady burning flames. Flame luminosity spectra were also simultaneously recorded with a spectrometer to obtain information about the different combustion intermediates and about the thermal soot radiation curve. This paper presents first results from the analysis of the weak extinction measurements. Further detailed test fuel results are the subject of a separate complementary paper [1]. It was found in general that the determined weak extinction parameters were not strongly dependent on the fuels investigated, however at the leading edge of the OH* chemiluminescence intensity development in the pre-flame region fuel-related differences were observed.

Numerical Prediction of Erosion of Mild Steel Surfaces by Boiler Fly Ash Particles

Volume 1 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Mbabazi ◽  
Thomas J. Sheer
Keyword(s):  
Fly Ash ◽  
Mild Steel ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Erosive Wear ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Power Station ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Steel Surfaces

Fly ash particles entrained in the flue gas from boiler furnaces in coal-fired power stations can cause serious erosive wear on steel surfaces along the downstream flow path. This paper describes research into fly ash impingement erosion on such surfaces, with particular reference to the heat transfer plates in rotary regenerative air heaters. The effect of the ash particle impact velocity and impact angle on the erosive wear of mild steel surfaces was determined through experimental investigations, using three different power station ash types. The experimental data were used to calibrate a fundamentally-derived model for the prediction of erosion rates. This erosion model was incorporated into a particle-tracking CFD flow simulation of the ash-laden flue gas flow through the complex channels between corrugated air heater plates. The predicted erosion rates were compared with measured erosion rates obtained using a large accelerated-erosion test facility located at a power station. Good agreement was obtained, the predictions generally being within 20 percent of the measured values.

Rotating Instability in an Annular Cascade: Detailed Analysis of the Instationary Flow Phenomena

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Pardowitz ◽  
Ulf Tapken ◽  
Robert Sorge ◽  
Paul Uwe Thamsen ◽  
Lars Enghardt
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Pressure Waves ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Rotating Instability ◽  
Annular Cascade

Rotating instability (RI) occurs at off-design conditions in compressors, predominantly in configurations with large tip or hub clearance ratios of s* ≥3%. RI is the source of the blade tip vortex noise and a potential indicator for critical operating conditions like rotating stall and surge. The objective of this paper is to give more physical insight into the RI phenomenon using the analysis results of combined near-field measurements with high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) and unsteady pressure sensors. The investigation was pursued on an annular cascade with hub clearance. Both the unsteady flow field next to the leading edge as well as the associated rotating pressure waves were captured. A special analysis method illustrates the characteristic pressure wave amplitude distribution, denoted as “modal events” of the RI. Moreover, the slightly adapted method reveals the unsteady flow structures corresponding to the RI. Correlations between the flow profile, the dominant vortex structures, and the rotating pressure waves were found. Results provide evidence to a new hypothesis, implying that shear layer instabilities constitute the basic mechanism of the RI.

An Analysis of Power Characteristics of Oil-Free Scroll Vacuum Pumps

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
A.V. Tyurin ◽  
A.V. Burmistrov ◽  
A.A. Raykov ◽  
S.I. Salikeev
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Power Efficiency ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Power Characteristics ◽  
Indicator Power

This paper presents an analysis of the indicator power of an oil-free scroll vacuum pump based on the indicator diagrams obtained through high-speed pressure sensors. These values are compared with the results of calculations using a mathematical model of the pump working process. It is shown that the divergence of the calculated results and experimental values does not exceed 4%, which confirms the adequacy of the developed mathematical model. The total power of the scroll pump exceeds the indicator power by more than 2 times due to the friction losses between the face seals and disks of the reciprocal scroll elements, friction losses in the stuffing box seals and rolling bearings, as well as due to the coefficient of efficiency of the motor. The influence of the radial clearance between the scroll elements on the power consumption is considered. It is shown that at low pressures nearing the ultimate pressure, the power increases with the increased clearance, while at inlet pressures exceeding 40 kPa it decreases. The performed analysis can be used for selecting the optimal geometrical parameters of the scroll elements and increasing power efficiency of the pump depending on specific operating conditions.

Experimental Investigation of the Flow in the Pipe Diffuser of a Centrifugal Compressor Stage Under Selected Parameter Variations

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Zachau ◽  
Reinhard Niehuis ◽  
Herwart Hoenen ◽  
David C. Wisler
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Diffuser Flow ◽  
Parameter Variations

On a centrifugal compressor test facility various experimental investigations have been carried out contributing a valuable gain in knowledge on the fundamental flow physics within passage type diffusers. An extensive measurement series using various steady, unsteady and laser optical measurement techniques has been performed to detect the unsteady, highly three dimensional diffuser flow under various realistic operating conditions. Zachau et al. [1] presented the test facility and the results gathered under nominal conditions. As a follow-up the results of investigated parameter variations are now presented, covering bleed variations, impeller tip clearance and impeller-diffuser misalignment studies. The data is compared to the benchmark created from the nominal baseline data sets and evaluated with respect to the compressor stage performance. Zachau et al. [1] found that under nominal conditions the flow in the pipe diffuser separates on the pressure side in the first half of the pipe. In the last 30% of the pipe hardly any deceleration of the flow takes place. From this, special attention is given to the investigated parameter variations regarding a first proposal for a diffuser design change, which consists in shortening the diffuser. The results for each parameter variation are evaluated in detail in direct comparison to the nominal baseline configuration underlining the conclusion made earlier that the diffuser flow always separates on the pressure side with negligible deceleration in the last third of the diffusing pipe.

Coal Ash Deposition on Nozzle Guide Vanes: Part I—Experimental Characteristics of Four Coal Ash Types

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Webb ◽  
B. Casaday ◽  
B. Barker ◽  
J. P. Bons ◽  
A. D. Gledhill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Film Cooling ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Coal Ash ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Nozzle Guide

An accelerated deposition test facility was operated with three different coal ash species to study the effect of ash composition on deposition rate and spatial distribution. The facility seeds a combusting (natural gas) flow with 10–20 micron mass mean diameter coal ash particulate. The particulate-laden combustor exhaust is accelerated through a rectangular-to-annular transition duct and expands to ambient pressure through a nozzle guide vane annular sector. For the present study, the annular cascade consisted of two CFM56 aero-engine vane doublets; comprising three full passages and two half passages of flow. The inlet Mach number (0.1) and gas temperature (1100°C) are representative of operating turbines. Ash samples were tested from the three major coal ranks: lignite, subbituminous, and bituminous. Investigations over a range of inlet gas temperatures from 900°C to 1120°C showed that deposition increased with temperature, though the threshold for deposition varied with ash type. Deposition levels varied with coal rank, with lignite producing the largest deposits at the lowest temperature. Regions of heightened deposition were noted; the leading edge and pressure surface being particularly implicated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify deposit structure. For a limited subset of tests, film cooling was employed at nominal design operating conditions but provided minimal protection in cases of severe deposition.

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