This master's thesis addresses the development of a radial seal for use in a household tumble dryer. The purpose of the seal is to separate the inlet and outlet sections of the system and reduce the mixing of dry and humid air while minimizing additional mechanical resistance to the rotating drum. Due to drum rotation, manufacturing tolerances, and dynamic displacements during operation, complete sealing cannot be achieved. Therefore, the research focused on the development of a seal geometry capable of providing maximum resistance to air leakage while maintaining minimal mechanical losses. A review of non-contact sealing technologies was conducted, with particular emphasis on labyrinth seals. The performance of different seal geometries was evaluated using numerical CFD simulations, which were used to investigate the influence of clearance size, tooth geometry, and overall seal design on sealing performance. For the experimental evaluation of selected solutions, a dedicated test rig was designed and manufactured, enabling measurements of pressure drop and airflow rate. The results demonstrated that an appropriate seal geometry can significantly increase pressure losses and reduce airflow through the sealing clearance. The comparison of numerical and experimental results confirmed the applicability of CFD methods for the development and optimization of radial seals intended for industrial applications.
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