Laser-Optical Shear-Flow Analysis across the Annular Gap of a Simplified Displacement Compressor Model

Abstract

The present experimental feasibility study testifies the two flow measurement techniques Defocusing Particle Tracking Velocimetry (DPTV) and Interferometric Particle Imaging (IPI) for their applicability to measure the two-phase flow of thin (sub-millimeter) annular rotor-stator gaps such as occur across for the leakage flow e.g. in the housing gap of oil-injected rotary positive displacement compressors (RPDC). To provide unrestriced optical access to the annular gap and in turn eliminate secondary effects, a simplified displacement compressor model has been developed and fabricated from perspex. The proof-of-concept results of both experimental campaigns (DPTV & IPI) are discussed and avenues for future efforts towards a straight-forward and accurate applicability of either method are elaborated.