Airflow characterization through rotating labyrinth seal

ended

The main objective of this project is to test different labyrinth seal configurations (15 geometries of the labyrinth and 5 axial position between the rotor and stator) to determine the pressure loss characteristics for different rotor speeds, radial clearances and at different temperature and pressure ratios. The test rig, specifically developed in this project, will be able to test a seal configuration in a simplified environment. The tests will be divided in two campaigns, the complexity of the second campaign being dependent on the results and conclusions of the first. The results of the tests will be compared with the prediction of a numerical model in order to perform a gap analysis. The final expected result is that the experimental measurement to match the numerical results. If the experimental data does not match with the numerical results, then improvements will be made to the numerical model.