The Use Of Honeycomb Seals In Stabilizing Two Centrifugal Compressors.
Abstract
The stabilizing effects achieved by replacing labyrinth seals with honeycomb seals are described. Although honeycomb seals have been used for some time in high pressure compressors and other turbomachinery applications, their stabilizing influence has only recently been recognized. The pioneering work of Childs et al. [1,2,3], in the theoretical analyses and accompanying experimental investigations have had a significant influence on advancing the use of honeycomb seal technology. A major beneficiary of the application of honeycomb seals has been the space shuttle turbo pumps. There are other major applications for honeycomb seals but, for the most part, they have remained in a narrow area encompassing the aerospace industry and the higher performance turbomachinery applications. The authors address how honeycomb seals were used to stabilize two process-type compressors. Two stability problems experienced on two different compressor configurations were solved using a common approach. These two cases should serve to enlighten users who might experience similar problems. It also sheds light on other sources of instability in turbo machinery, and some of the means available to counter their destabilizing effects. In both cases, the application of honeycomb seals was instrumental in enhancing the stability of each of the compressors.
Description
LecturePg. 3-16
Subject
TurbomachinesCollections
Citation
Zeidan, Fouad Y.; Perez, Robert X.; Stephenson, E. Morris (1993). The Use Of Honeycomb Seals In Stabilizing Two Centrifugal Compressors.. Texas A&M University. Turbomachinery Laboratories. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /163516.