Analysis of the impact of the labyrinth seal geometric parameters on the leakage

Damian Joachimiak,Piotr Krzyślak,M Rerak,M Majdak

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202132300015

Damian Joachimiak, Piotr Krzyślak + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202132300015

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Abstract

This paper includes results of experimental research and CFD calculations concerning gas flow in segments of straight through labyrinth seals of fixed length and varying number of teeth. Relation between the number of teeth and the leakage is analyzed in this paper. Authors determined the range of teeth number for which the minimum leakage was achieved. They focused particularly on the analysis of geometry with maximum number of teeth which fell within the range of the minimum leakage. For this geometry they examined the relation between the thickness of the teeth and the distribution of gas pressure and velocity along the seal and the leakage size. Data presented in this paper indicate that the teeth thickness has a significant impact on the flow parameters.

Highlights

Labyrinth seals are widely applied in fluid-flow machines
Data referring to the seal geometry summarized in table 1 were taken for CFD calculations; tooth thickens B of 0.6; 0.8; 1 and 1.2 mm was analyzed
Based on numerical calculations made for the segment of 11 teeth it was proved that when the thickness of teeth grows from 0.6 to 1.2 mm, the gas mass flow flowing through the segment increases

Summary

Introduction

Labyrinth seals are widely applied in fluid-flow machines. The most popular among them are straight through labyrinth seals [1]. They are installed in steam turbines in places being far from thrust bearings [2]. Labyrinth seals are applied in nuclear reactors to control the flow of a cooling medium [5]. In papers [10,11] the optimal choice of the geometry of the straight through seal to minimize the leakage was investigated. The search for the optimal seal geometry is an inverse problem of the geometric type [12][13][14][15]. In this paper some considerations related to the impact of the tooth thickness on the leakage are presented

Scope of experimental research

Results of research

Scope of CFD research

Conclusion