Identification of Force Coefficients for Wet (Bubbly) Annular Seals

 

MAJOR APPLICATION: Multiphase Pumps, Wet Gas Compressors, etc.

 

Sponsor: Turbomachinery Research Consortium (TRC) 2014-2018

 

Objective:

 

1. Provide experimental data for the selection and design of reliable annular seals applied to multiphase pumps and wet gas compressors.

 

2. The test data validates an in-house bulk flow code for the quick estimation of leakage and rotordynamic force coefficients of wet (bubbly) annular seals.

 

The test rig

 

 

 

Isometric view of test rig with shakers

 

Cut view of test seal assembly with flow path (L = 43.4 mm, D = 127 mm)

 

 

Schematic views of six test seals: plain, wavy, grooved and stepped configurations.
Clearances exaggerated to illustrate the seal geometries.

 

A few test results

 

 

Flow Visualization (Inlet GVG = 0-0.9, PS/Pa=2.5, speed 0 rpm)

 

Figure 4 GTP-17-1268            

Flow visualization of wet seal operating with a gas and oil mixture. Inlet GVF = 0.9, journal speed = 1.8 krpm (30 Hz). Pictures taken with a stroboscope light at 30 Hz. Seal inlet pressure (Ps) = 2.0 bar (a), discharge pressure (Pa) = 1 bar(a). 

Figure 5 GTP-17-1268

 

Normalized wet seal leakage () vs. mixture inlet GVF. Supply pressure (Ps) to 3.5 bar (a), discharge pressure (Pa) = 1 bar (a). Shaft speed N=0, 1.5 krpm, 3.5 krpm (ΩR = 23.3 m/s).

 

 

 

 

Learn more ŕ Publications

1.   Lu, X., San Andrés, L., and Wu, T., 2019, “Leakage and Force Coefficients of a Grooved Wet (Bubbly Liquid) Seal for Multiphase Pumps,” Accepted for journal publication. ASME GT2019-90254.

2.   Yang, J., San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2019, “Leakage and Dynamic Force Coefficients of a Pocket Damper Seal Operating under a Wet Gas Condition: Test vs. Predictions,” Accepted for journal publication, ASME GT2019-90331.

3.   Lu, X., and San Andrés, L., 2019, “Step Clearance Seals: An Analysis to Demonstrate Their Unique Performance,” ASME J. Tribol., 141(3), pp. 032203. 

4.   Lu, X., and San Andrés, L., 2019, “Leakage and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of a Three-Wave (Air in Oil) Wet Annular Seal: Measurements and Predications,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbine Power, 141 (3), 032503.

5.   Yang, J., San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2019, “On the Leakage, Torque and Dynamic Force Coefficients of an Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal: a CFD Analysis Anchored to Test Data,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbine Power, 141 (2), 021008.

6.   San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2018, “Leakage, Drag Power and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of an Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbine Power, 140, p. 012505.

7.   San Andrés, L., Lu, X., and Liu, Q., 2016, “Measurements of Flow Rate and Force Coefficients in a Short-Length Annular Seal Supplied with a Liquid/Gas Mixture (Stationary Journal),” STLE Tribol. Trans., 59 (4), pp. 758-767.

 

Conference publications

1.   San Andrés, L., Lu, X., and Wu, T., 2019, “On the Influence of Gas Content on the Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of Three-Wave (Air in Oil) Annular Seal for Multiple Phase Pumps,” Proc. ASME-JSME-KSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference. San Francisco, CA, July 28-Autuse 1. Paper No.AJKFLUIDS2019-4938.

2.   Lu, X., San Andrés, L., and Wu, T., 2019, “Leakage and Force Coefficients of a Grooved Wet (Bubbly Liquid) Seal for Multiphase Pumps,” ASME GT2019-90254.

3.   Yang, J., San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2019, “Leakage and Dynamic Force Coefficients of a Pocket Damper Seal Operating under a Wet Gas Condition: Test vs. Predictions,” ASME GT2019-90331.

4.   San Andrés, L., Lu, X., and Zhu, J., 2018, “On the Leakage and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of Pump Annular Seals Operating with Air/Oil Mixtures: Measurements and Predictions,” Proc. 2nd ASIA Turbomachinery & Pump Symposium, Singapore, Mar. 22-25.

5.   San Andrés, L., Lu, X., and Zhu, J., 2018, “Leakage and Force Coefficients for Pump Annular Seals Operating with Air/Oil Mixtures: Measurements vs Predictions and Air Injection to Increase Seal Dynamic Stiffnesses,” Proc. 34th Turbomachinery & Pump Symposium, Houston, September 18-20.

6.   Lu, X., and San Andrés, L., 2018, “Leakage and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of a Three-Wave (Air in Oil) Wet Annular Seal: Measurements and Predictions,” Proc. of Turbo-Expo 2018, Oslo, Norway, July 11-15. ASME Paper No. GT2018-75200.

7.   Yang, J., San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2018, “On the Leakage, Torque and Dynamic Force Coefficients of an Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal: a CFD Analysis Anchored to Test Data,” Proc. of Turbo-Expo 2018, Oslo, Norway, July 11-15. ASME Paper No. GT2018-77140.

8.   San Andrés, L., and Lu, X., 2017, “Leakage, Drag Power and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of an Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal,” Proc. of Turbo-Expo 2017, NC, USA, June 26-30. ASME Paper No. GT2017-63254. (ASME TurboExpo Best Paper Award in Structure & Dynamics: Bearing & Seals, 2017)

9.   San Andrés, L., Liu, Q., and Lu, X., 2015, “Measurements of Leakage and Force Coefficients in a Short Length Annular Seal Operating With a Gas in Oil Mixture,” STLE Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, May 17-21, 2015.

 

Patent disclosure

1.   Lu, X., Yang, J., and San Andrés, L., Stepped shaft and pocked damper seal assembly, disclosure submitted to TEES on Sep. 13, 2018.