Calibration of porous medium models for brush seals

Abstract One of the theoretical approaches to modelling brush seals is based on the porous medium models. In this approach, influence of the brush on the flow is defined by a set of resistance coefficients. Although these coefficients can be estimated, the brush seal model needs to be calibrated against the measurements. This work analyses calibration procedures with respect to extrapolation of the theoretical results on different brush seals and operating conditions. Two sealing configurations and two bristle packs are studied experimentally and theoretically. Computational fluid dynamics predictions and measurements of leakage, axial pressure, and brush clearance are presented. The efficiency of calibration procedures is also discussed.