Abstract
In this paper a method for reducing leakage in labyrinth seals is presented. This method is based on CFD calculations and consists in the analysis of the phenomenon of gas kinetic energy carry-over in chambers of the seal between gaps. It belongs to the group of geometrical inverse problems and is designed for seals of given outside dimensions. For straight through labyrinth seals it enables determining the number of teeth and their optimal arrangement. This method was developed based on numerical and experimental tests. Examples of numerical calculations presented in this paper prove that this method is effective for straight through seals. We obtained the reduction of leakage ranging from 8.7 to 9.4% relative to the initial geometry with no change in the outside dimensions of the seal.
Highlights
Labyrinth seals are widely applied in a variety of fluidflow machines such as steam turbines, gas turbines, compressors and blowing machines
Minimization of leakage in labyrinth seals is an important issue since it allows the efficiency of highpower flow machines to be improved
In this paper we presented some research on the reduction of leakage in the seal without changing its outside dimensions
Summary
Labyrinth seals are widely applied in a variety of fluidflow machines such as steam turbines, gas turbines, compressors and blowing machines. Such seals reduce leakage in the space between, for example, stationary body and the rotating shaft or its elements such as the shroud of the blade ring. The leakage in seals is liable to the phenomenon of gas kinetic energy carry-over occurring between clearances (fig 3). This phenomenon is intensive in straight through seals where the expanding gas stream flows through the whole chamber length with a high velocity. For the given length and nominal size of the seal radial clearance the geometry of clearance characterized by minimal leakage is crucial
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