Analysis and prediction of windage losses and temperature fields of large flywheels

¹ New Technologies – Research Centre, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitní 8, 301 00 Plzeň, Czech Republic
² Wikov TurboGear s.r.o., Tylova 1/57, 316 00 Plzeň, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 12 March 2026

Abstract

Predicting and reducing windage losses in large rotating wheels, such as those in gearboxes and flywheels, is crucial for the development of new components in the evolving energy sector. This paper is devoted to predicting windage losses in flywheels for stabilising industrial turbo machinery. It presents a large flywheel and its arrangement, along with CFD simulations and results of temperature field and windage loss predictions. A comparison of these losses with published relationships and measurements is also included, along with a case study examining the influence of specific geometric modifications and oil mist properties. The study is supported by the results of loss simulations and temperature predictions for a similar, smaller flywheel, which are again compared with measurements. The conclusion summarises the results, provides recommendations, and outlines directions for further research.