Turbulent two-phase flow in annular seals

Abstract

Steady, turbulent two-phase fluid flow in a rotating annular seal with no eccentricity is analyzed. The fluid is assumed to be a homogeneous mixture of liquid and vapor in thermodynamic equilibrum. Further, the flow is assumed to be adiabatic, but the effects due to heat generation by viscous dissipation are accounted for fully. Solution of the model governing differential equations is accomplished by use of a fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical integration scheme. The calculation of mass leakage rates under choked and unchoked conditions are discussed and the phenomenon of all-liquid choked flow is explained. Several numerical examples are presented supposing cyrogenic oxygen as the sealed fluid.