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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K10478/01
Title: GAS TURBINE RIM SEALS: THE SEALING OF TURBINE ROTOR-STATOR CAVITIES AGAINST INGESTION OF HOT MAINSTREAM FLOW
Principal Investigator: Turner, Professor AB
Other Investigators:
Childs, Professor P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Rolls-Royce Plc (UK)
Department: Sch of Engineering and Design
Organisation: University of Sussex
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 1994 Ends: 30 September 1997 Value (£): 184,731
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Fluid Dynamics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The purpose of this research proposal is to investigate the sealing of turbine rotor-stator wheelspaces against the ingestion of hot mainstream flow. The metal temperature of turbine rotors in gas turbines is a safety critical aspect of engine design. The practical approach to cooling turbine rotors is to bleed off a small proportion of compressor air from a suitable stage, feed it to a cavity and discharge the flow through the peripheral clearance gap (rim seal) between rotor and stator. Many factors are involved in the design of rim seal configuration and arrangements differ depending upon engine purpose and size. The behaviour of rim seals obviously plays a large part in the design and cooling systems for turbine rotors and turbine blades. Investigation of rotor-stator cavity flows started more than 20 years ago, using simple rigs of idealised geometry. The design of rim seals is still a matter of experience and extrapolation based upon judgement and is likely to remain thus unless some predictive modelling concept can be established. Research into rim seal processes and modelling methods is proposed: detailed experimental studies of flow mechanisms; application of CFD to modelling of rim seal behaviour to devise methods of utilising existing codes in a cost effective manner; devising and testing mechanisms for the control of localised rim seal ingestion.
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Organisation Website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk