Computational analysis for scallop seals with sickle grooves, part I: Leakage performance

Abstract

Reducing of leakage rate of annular seals is an important objective of sealing technology. A number of noncontact seals are used for hermetic sealing of centrifugal compressors shafts such as: annular, labyrinth, honeycomb, hole pattern, pocket and scallop seals. In the art, scallop seals are of great interest in terms of reducing costs and time of manufacture. This paper presents results of calculation of leakage rate characteristics of scallop seals with sickle grooves (SSSG) depending on seal geometry. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique is used for calculation of hydrodynamic characteristics of seal. The Design of Experiment (DOE) technique is used for analysis of influence of scallop depth and width, rib width and number of scallops in circumferential direction on sealing performance of scallop seal. Such a comprehensive approach to the calculation using computational methods allows improving and further optimizing the existing designs of scallop seals. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.