Improved hydrodynamic performance of liquid film seal by considering boundary slip and cavitation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of boundary slip on hydrodynamic performance of liquid film seal considering cavitation. Design/methodology/approach A mathematical model of liquid film seal with slip surface was established based on the Navier slip model and Jakobsson–Floberg–Olsson (JFO) boundary condition. Liquid film governing equation was discretized by the finite difference method and solved by the SOR relaxation iterative algorithm and the hydrodynamic performance parameters of liquid film seal were obtained considering boundary slip and cavitation. Findings The results indicate that the values of performance parameters are affected significantly by the slip length under the condition of high speed and low differential pressure. Originality/value The performances of liquid film seal are investigated considering slip surface and cavitation. The results presented in the study are expected to provide a theoretical basis to improve the design method of liquid film seal.