Prediction in Rotor-Stator Cavities at High Reynolds Numbers up to Re ≈ 2·108: Towards a New Parametric Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilman Raphael Schröder ◽  
Sebastian Schuster ◽  
Dieter Brillert
Keyword(s):  
Radial Pressure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Frictional Torque ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
Axial Thrust ◽  
Wrong Prediction ◽  
Turbulence Effects ◽  
High Reynolds ◽  
Cfd Analyses

Abstract Side chambers of centrifugal turbomachinery resemble rotor–stator cavities. The flow in these cavities develops complex patterns which substantially influence the axial thrust on the shaft and the frictional torque on the rotor. Axial thrust caused by the flow pattern in side chambers accumulates in multistage single shaft radial compressors where it is often balanced by a single axial bearing. Miscalculation of axial thrust may lead to axial loads significantly higher than predicted or even undefined load situations which may cause early bearing failure. Likewise, a wrong prediction of friction losses may lead to lower efficiency than originally intended. Current models for axial thrust and friction torque are limited to circumferential Reynolds numbers of Re ≤ 107. New models are needed for modern high-pressure centrifugal compressors which reach circumferential Reynolds numbers up to Re = 109. The rotor–stator cavity flow model by Kurokawa and Sakuma [16] for merged boundary layers is analysed. It is based on the assumptions of axisymmetric and time invariant flow. Functional forms of the mean tangential and radial velocity and the surface stress vectors on the rotor and stator are assumed. Reynolds averaging is applied to consider turbulence effects in the model. The modelling assumptions are compared with detailed RANS CFD analyses at Reynolds numbers of 4 · 106 ≤ Re ≤ 2 · 108 to investigate their accuracy. Based on these CFD results, a way towards a high Reynolds number model is presented, providing prediction of disc torque, radial pressure distribution and axial thrust in rotor–stator cavities.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Centrifugal Flow in Rotor–Stator Cavities at High Reynolds Numbers >108

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Tilman Schröder ◽  
Sebastian Schuster ◽  
Dieter Brillert
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Radial Pressure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Axial Thrust ◽  
Number Range ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Reynolds Number Range ◽  
Through Flow ◽  
High Reynolds

The designers of radial turbomachinery need detailed information on the impact of the side chamber flow on axial thrust and torque. A previous paper investigated centripetal flow through narrow rotor–stator cavities and compared axial thrust, rotor torque and radial pressure distribution to the case without through-flow. Consequently, this paper extends the investigated range to centrifugal through-flow as it may occur in the hub side chamber of radial turbomachinery. The chosen operating conditions are representative of high-pressure centrifugal compressors used in, for example, carbon capture and storage applications as well as hydrogen compression. To date, only the Reynolds number range up to Re=2·107 has been investigated for centrifugal through-flow. This paper extends the range to Reynolds numbers of Re=2·108 and reports results of experimental and numerical investigations. It focuses on the radial pressure distribution in the rotor–stator cavity and shows the influence of the Reynolds number, cavity width and centrifugal mass flow rate. It therefore extends the range of available valid data that can be used to design radial turbomachinery. Additionally, this analysis compares the results to data and models from scientific literature, showing that in the higher Reynolds number range, a new correlation is required. Finally, the analysis of velocity profiles and wall shear delineates the switch from purely radial outflow in the cavity to outflow on the rotor and inflow on the stator at high Reynolds numbers in comparison to the results reported by others for Reynolds numbers up to Re=2·107.

Performance of Plain Journal Bearings Operating Under Vortex Flow Conditions

1974 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Freˆne ◽  
M. Godet
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Taylor Vortex ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Frictional Torque ◽  
Taylor Vortices ◽  
Attitude Angle ◽  
Relative Eccentricity ◽  
High Reynolds

An experimental program conducted on an original device was undertaken to study the performance of plain bearings operating at sufficiently high Reynolds number to introduce Taylor vortices. Curves of relative eccentricity, attitude angle, and friction torque were obtained versus speed and load. Experimental results conducted for Reynolds number smaller than 1100 indicate that both laminar and Taylor vortex regimes are encountered. The occurrence of the vortices is identified by a break in the slope of the friction torque versus speed curves. The position of the break is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of Di Prima and Ritchie. From the practical point of view, the data show that for constant viscosity the occurence of Taylor vortices does not alter the curves of eccentricity versus either speed or load but modifies the attitude angle and frictional torque. In turn, the increase in frictional torque, and subsequently of temperature may cause a decrease in viscosity and thus a drop in load carrying capacity for fluids such as oils whose variations of viscosity with temperature is large.

scholarly journals Impact of Leakage Inlet Swirl Angle in a Rotor–Stator Cavity on Flow Pattern, Radial Pressure Distribution and Frictional Torque in a Wide Circumferential Reynolds Number Range

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Tilman Raphael Schröder ◽  
Hans-Josef Dohmen ◽  
Dieter Brillert ◽  
Friedrich-Karl Benra
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Radial Pressure ◽  
Cavity Flow ◽  
Frictional Torque ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Axial Thrust ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Swirl Angle ◽  
Through Flow

In the side-chambers of radial turbomachinery, which are rotor–stator cavities, complex flow patterns develop that contribute substantially to axial thrust on the shaft and frictional torque on the rotor. Moreover, leakage flow through the side-chambers may occur in both centripetal and centrifugal directions which significantly influences rotor–stator cavity flow and has to be carefully taken into account in the design process: precise correlations quantifying the effects of rotor–stator cavity flow are needed to design reliable, highly efficient turbomachines. This paper presents an experimental investigation of centripetal leakage flow with and without pre-swirl in rotor–stator cavities through combining the experimental results of two test rigs: a hydraulic test rig covering the Reynolds number range of 4 × 10 5 ≤ R e ≤ 3 × 10 6 and a test rig for gaseous rotor–stator cavity flow operating at 2 × 10 7 ≤ R e ≤ 2 × 10 8 . This covers the operating ranges of hydraulic and thermal turbomachinery. In rotor–stator cavities, the Reynolds number R e is defined as R e = Ω b 2 ν with angular rotor velocity Ω , rotor outer radius b and kinematic viscosity ν . The influence of circumferential Reynolds number, axial gap width and centripetal through-flow on the radial pressure distribution, axial thrust and frictional torque is presented, with the through-flow being characterised by its mass flow rate and swirl angle at the inlet. The results present a comprehensive insight into the flow in rotor–stator cavities with superposed centripetal through-flow and provide an extended database to aid the turbomachinery design process.

TRANSONIC CROSS FLOW (M∞ = 0.8) OVER A CIRCULAR CYLINDER AT HIGH REYNOLDS NUMBERS

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 589-613
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Antonovich Bashkin ◽  
Ivan Vladimirovich Egorov ◽  
Ivan Valeryevich Ezhov ◽  
Sergey Vladimirovich Utyuzhnikov
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

Oscillatory control of separation at high Reynolds numbers

AIAA Journal ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 1062-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Seifert ◽  
L. G. Pack
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

Turbulent vortex breakdown at high Reynolds numbers

AIAA Journal ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 825-834
Author(s):  
F. Novak ◽  
T. Sarpkaya
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Breakdown ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Turbulent Vortex ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

Drag Measurements on Long Thin Cylinders at Small Angles and High Reynolds Numbers

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Keith ◽  
Kimberly M. Cipolla ◽  
David R. Hart ◽  
Deborah A. Furey
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

An Experimental and Numerical Study of Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss in a Rectangular Channel With V-Shaped Ribs

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Maurer ◽  
Jens von Wolfersdorf ◽  
Michael Gritsch
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Enhancement ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Rectangular Channel ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Transfer Enhancement ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

An experimental and numerical study was conducted to determine the thermal performance of V-shaped ribs in a rectangular channel with an aspect ratio of 2:1. Local heat transfer coefficients were measured using the steady state thermochromic liquid crystal technique. Periodic pressure losses were obtained with pressure taps along the smooth channel sidewall. Reynolds numbers from 95,000 to 500,000 were investigated with V-shaped ribs located on one side or on both sides of the test channel. The rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratios (e/Dh) were 0.0625 and 0.02, and the rib pitch-to-height ratio (P/e) was 10. In addition, all test cases were investigated numerically. The commercial software FLUENT™ was used with a two-layer k-ε turbulence model. Numerically and experimentally obtained data were compared. It was determined that the heat transfer enhancement based on the heat transfer of a smooth wall levels off for Reynolds numbers over 200,000. The introduction of a second ribbed sidewall slightly increased the heat transfer enhancement whereas the pressure penalty was approximately doubled. Diminishing the rib height at high Reynolds numbers had the disadvantage of a slightly decreased heat transfer enhancement, but benefits in a significantly reduced pressure loss. At high Reynolds numbers small-scale ribs in a one-sided ribbed channel were shown to have the best thermal performance.

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