Xueliang Lu
Two researchers in the Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M have received a Best Paper Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Structures and Dynamics Committee. Dr. Luis San Andres, Mast-Childs Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Xueliang Lu, a doctoral student in the Turbo Lab, were recognized for their paper, “Leakage, Drag Power and Rotordynamic Force Coefficients of an Air in Oil (Wet) Annular Seal.” San Andres and Lu presented the paper at the 2017 Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition (Turbo Expo) in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will receive the award at the 2018 Turbo Expo in Olso, Norway, June 11-15.
The purpose of the research was to quantify, experimentally and analytically, the influence of two-component (gas/liquid) mixtures on the leakage and force coefficients of wet annular seals. The research aims to develop mechanical elements such as seals and bearings that can endure extreme operating conditions in a subsea environment as oil and gas wells deplete.
Lu and San Andrés have worked on the project, sponsored by the Turbo Lab’s Turbomachinery Research Consortium, for three years. Lu said the Best Paper Award is an honor, and a culmination of efforts across the Turbo Lab.
“I want to thank Dr. San Andres for his continuous support and guidance on the research. I also thank the TRC for their support,” Lu said of the exclusive organization of major turbomachinery developers and users that support a broad range of Turbo Lab projects. “We have a large number of graduate students in our group, and each of us is busy with research every day. But, we also support each other when one of us comes across difficulties. So I have to thank my colleagues for their help.”
The honor marks San Andrés’ ninth ASME Best Paper Award. San Andrés specializes in rotordynamics of turbomachinery and structural vibrations, lubrication of bearings and seals, and computational mechanics. He is the founder of the Asia Turbomachinery & Pump Symposium (ATPS) in Singapore. He and Lu will presented a companion of the award-winning paper at the second biennial ATPS in March.
“Instead of taking ten or fifteen years between the technical paper and the end-user to get the information, we shared our findings at ATPS, thanks to the TRC and the ATPS advisory committee” San Andrés said. “End users and original equipment manufacturers will get a fresh look at what we have done, and can apply it to their own work.”
We have a large number of graduate students in our group, and each of us is busy with research every day. But, we also support each other when one of us comes across difficulties. So I have to thank my colleagues for their help.
Xueliang Lu
Turbo Lab doctoral student
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Turbomachinery Laboratory makes a vital impact on turbomachinery and related industries through research, education and professional workforce development.