The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD

A numerical investigation is conducted for the flow between two concentric cylinders with a wide gap, relevant to bearing chamber applications. This wide gap configuration has received comparatively less attention than narrow gap journal bearing type geometries. The flow in the gap between an inner...

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Main Authors: David Shina Adebayo, Aldo Rona
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:International Journal of Rotating Machinery
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8584067
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author David Shina Adebayo
Aldo Rona
author_facet David Shina Adebayo
Aldo Rona
author_sort David Shina Adebayo
collection DOAJ
description A numerical investigation is conducted for the flow between two concentric cylinders with a wide gap, relevant to bearing chamber applications. This wide gap configuration has received comparatively less attention than narrow gap journal bearing type geometries. The flow in the gap between an inner rotating cylinder and an outer stationary cylinder has been modelled as an incompressible flow using an implicit finite volume RANS scheme with the realisable k-ε model. The model flow is above the critical Taylor number at which axisymmetric counterrotating Taylor vortices are formed. The tangential velocity profiles at all axial locations are different from typical journal bearing applications, where the velocity profiles are quasilinear. The predicted results led to two significant findings of impact in rotating machinery operations. Firstly, the axial variation of the tangential velocity gradient induces an axially varying shear stress, resulting in local bands of enhanced work input to the working fluid. This is likely to cause unwanted heat transfer on the surface in high torque turbomachinery applications. Secondly, the radial inflow at the axial end-wall boundaries is likely to promote the transport of debris to the junction between the end-collar and the rotating cylinder, causing the build-up of fouling in the seal.
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spelling doaj-art-1dce0d52801e4224aae4b5ac89cdfc012025-02-03T05:44:57ZengWileyInternational Journal of Rotating Machinery1023-621X1542-30342016-01-01201610.1155/2016/85840678584067The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFDDavid Shina Adebayo0Aldo Rona1Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKDepartment of Engineering, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UKA numerical investigation is conducted for the flow between two concentric cylinders with a wide gap, relevant to bearing chamber applications. This wide gap configuration has received comparatively less attention than narrow gap journal bearing type geometries. The flow in the gap between an inner rotating cylinder and an outer stationary cylinder has been modelled as an incompressible flow using an implicit finite volume RANS scheme with the realisable k-ε model. The model flow is above the critical Taylor number at which axisymmetric counterrotating Taylor vortices are formed. The tangential velocity profiles at all axial locations are different from typical journal bearing applications, where the velocity profiles are quasilinear. The predicted results led to two significant findings of impact in rotating machinery operations. Firstly, the axial variation of the tangential velocity gradient induces an axially varying shear stress, resulting in local bands of enhanced work input to the working fluid. This is likely to cause unwanted heat transfer on the surface in high torque turbomachinery applications. Secondly, the radial inflow at the axial end-wall boundaries is likely to promote the transport of debris to the junction between the end-collar and the rotating cylinder, causing the build-up of fouling in the seal.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8584067
spellingShingle David Shina Adebayo
Aldo Rona
The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
International Journal of Rotating Machinery
title The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
title_full The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
title_fullStr The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
title_full_unstemmed The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
title_short The Three-Dimensional Velocity Distribution of Wide Gap Taylor-Couette Flow Modelled by CFD
title_sort three dimensional velocity distribution of wide gap taylor couette flow modelled by cfd
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8584067
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