Rotordynamic characteristics of a rotor with labyrinth gas seals. Part 1: comparison with Childs’ experiments

Abstract

A numerical method based on three-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations with moving boundaries is employed to predict the fluid reaction forces and the rotordynamic coefficients of labyrinth gas seals. A large number of simulations under various conditions have been conducted. Comparison of the values from an experimental, two-control-volume model and current unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) under different conditions shows that the computer code works well for most of the simulations.