A comprehensive modeling is proposed for leakages and thermal performance of rotary regenerators in this paper. It represents a substantial refinement over that available in the literature. Two separate models are proposed for the energy transfer in the regenerator. The first refers to the heat transfer and pressure drop process. The second, based on a gas flow network, represents modeling of leakage distribution within the regenerator. The solution to both models is obtained iteratively with proper input data and yields the thermal/flow design parameters of a rotary regenerator. These models use experimental correlations describing the Nusselt number, friction Factor and seal discharge coefficients. A design procedure is outlined for the rating problem and details are referenced. Keeping the pressure leakage factor constant, the rating problem has been solved for different distributions of leakages through radial, peripheral and axial seals. The results clearly demonstrate that a significant reduction could occur in the thermal energy transfer to the cold fluid even with reasonably small (5% or so) individual leakages. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
