Flow Simulation in a Labyrinth Seal

Abstract

The paper studies the labyrinth seals of centrifugal compressor profit-proved stages using modern methods of numerical and physical modeling of the centrifugal compressor stages. A series of studies of the effect of operational and geometrical parameters on the maze, namely the quantities of the packed differential pressure, speed, fluid, geometric parameters of the seal, the magnitude of the eccentricity and radial clearance swirl flow at the inlet of a seal, etc. The technique of physical modeling seal has been specified. Research was conducted in two phases: numerical simulation using complex software Flow Vision and receiving data on a universal test bench to study the labyrinth seals.. A three-dimensional model of the labyrinth seal has been created, its verification by "known data has been held.. Integral characteristics in the form of distribution of flow velocities and pressures, flow visualization were obtained. Results of studies made ​​it possible to refine the workflow and introduce amendments to the known calculation formula for a more accurate calculation of leakage through the seal, subject to a number of additional factors that were not previously taken into account

Comparison of Labyrinth Seal Calculation and Real Aircraft Turbine Engine Measurement

“…With the development of CFD increased number of reliable numerical simulations of labyrinth seals appears in the literature, e.g. [7].…”

On CFD Investigation of Radial Clearance of Labyrinth Seals of a Turbine Engine

“…The mass flow through the labyrinth seals in Fig. 17 is similar as the one in [3]. The Mach number distribution in Fig.…”

“…(see [2]). In numerical analysis, it is important to correctly design and define the cavity between the rotating and non-rotating parts, because the tooth profile has an important influence at high Mach numbers (see [1,3]). Historically, the research of the labyrinth seals has been executed more extensively on steam turbines than on aircraft turbine engines (see [1,4]).…”

Aircraft Turbine Engine Labyrinth Seal Introduction and CFD Calculation

“…First researches were done in steam turbines (Ščeglajev, 1983) and with more advanced computational methods their quality grew (Furst, 2015, Bondarenko, 2014. But in aircraft turbine engines the circumferential speed is difficult (lower) with steam turbines comparison.…”