Liquid and gas flow behaviour in highly rotating environment

Chandra, Budi; Simmons, Kathy; Pickering, Stephen; Tittel, Marc

Abstract

In a typical aero engine bearing chamber, oil is introduced to lubricate and cool the bearings as well as the bearing chamber wall. The flow of the oil in the bearing chamber is very complex due to the presence of various forces: gravity, windage, capillary, etc. These pose a great challenge for designers, in particular on how to effectively and efficiently scavenge the hot oil out of the bearing chamber. The University of Nottingham Technology Centre in Gas Turbine Transmission Systems is conducting an ongoing experimental program on liquid and gas flow behavior in the highly rotating environment typically found in a bearing chamber. This paper presents results from a study of the thin film on the wall of a generic bearing chamber consisting of an inner rotating shaft and outer stationary cylindrical wall. Thin liquid film behavior in a cylindrical chamber, subject to only gravity or together with the presence of shearing air flow is of interest in many industrial applications and processes. Measurements of film thickness were taken at various axial and angular locations, at various representative inlet flow rates, scavenge ratios and shaft rotational speeds. The experimental data provides insight on the behavior of thin liquid film as it travels down the inner chamber wall subject to both gravity and shearing air flow and provides a data set eminently suitable for CFD validation. The film thickness measurements are discussed in relation to previously published chamber residence volume data [1]. Copyright © 2011 by ASME.

Citation

Chandra, B., Simmons, K., Pickering, S., & Tittel, M. (2011). Liquid and gas flow behaviour in highly rotating environment. In Volume 1: Aircraft Engine; Ceramics; Coal, Biomass and Alternative Fuels; Wind Turbine Technology. , (337-345). https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2011-46430

• Conference Name: Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo
• Conference Location: Vancouver, Canada
• Start Date: Jun 6, 2016
• End Date: Jun 10, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Jun 6, 2011
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Pages: 337-345
• Book Title: Volume 1: Aircraft Engine; Ceramics; Coal, Biomass and Alternative Fuels; Wind Turbine Technology
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2011-46430
• Keywords: scavenge, bearing chamber, gas turbine, multiphase flow
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/961801
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/GT2011-46430
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : ASME 2011 Turbo Expo: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition