Finite Element Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Two-Lobe Oil Seals Used in High Pressure Centrifugal Compressors

Abstract

This paper presents a finite element solution of the nonlinear and coupled hydrodynamic and thermal equations for pressure and temperature distributions in two-lobe oil seals. The pressure distribution is integrated to obtain hydrodynamic forces. The perturbation technique is used to determine the static and dynamic characteristics of the oil seal. Eigenvalue analysis is performed for the linear stability analysis of the compressor rotor. Results in terms of pressure and temperature distributions, stiffness and damping characteristics, leakage, growth factors and damped natural frequencies are presented for both cylindrical and two-lobe oil seals operating at different eccentricities.

Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan May 17–21, 1998

KEY WORDS:

• Seals
• Compressors
• Vibration
• Dynamic Modeling
• Heat Transfer Analysis

Notes

Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan May 17–21, 1998