Simulation of Subsonic Flow Through a Generic Labyrinth Seal

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 674-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Rhode ◽  
S. R. Sobolik
Keyword(s):  
Subsonic Flow ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Single Cavity

A new method for predicting the leakage through labyrinth seals has been developed and is shown to provide realistic results which agree with measurements. It utilizes a finite-difference computer code which was developed in order to compute the pressure drop across a single cavity of the seal. This quantity is obtained at several leakage flow Mach numbers to be used subsequently in predicting the leakage rate. The model is widely applicable and does not require an estimate of the kinetic energy carry-over coefficient, whose value is often uncertain for many untested configurations. Detailed cavity distributions of basic flowfield quantities are also presented and examined. Specifically, the predicted results of four seal leakage mass flow rates at given cavity inlet pressure and temperature are compared, and important variations are examined. Also, realistic approximations of flow variable distributions within a single cavity are made from the included figures to assist in the development of analytical methods.

Simulation of Subsonic Flow Through a Generic Labyrinth Seal Cavity

1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Rhode ◽  
S. R. Sobolik
Keyword(s):  
Finite Difference ◽  
Compressible Flow ◽  
Subsonic Flow ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Flow Variable ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Flow Variables ◽  
Single Cavity

A finite difference computer program has been developed to predict the subsonic compressible flow within a single cavity of a concentric-rotor labyrinth seal. The recent QUICK convective differencing scheme is employed to eliminate false diffusion. Previously unavailable distributions of important flow variables throughout a generic seal cavity are presented. Specifically, the dimensionless results of four seal leakage mass flow rates at given cavity inlet pressure and temperature have been compared and important variations are examined. Also, realistic approximations of flow variable distributions within a labyrinth seal cavity are made from the included figures.

Prediction of Incompressible Flow in Labyrinth Seals

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Rhode ◽  
J. A. Demko ◽  
U. K. Traegner ◽  
G. L. Morrison ◽  
S. R. Sobolik
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Incompressible Flow ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Cpu Time ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Good Agreement

A new approach was developed and tested for alleviating the substantial convergence difficulty which results from implementation of the QUICK differencing scheme into a TEACH-type computer code. It is relatively simple, and the resulting CPU time and number of numerical iterations required to obtain a solution compare favorably with a previously recommended method. This approach has been employed in developing a computer code for calculating the pressure drop for a specified incompressible flow leakage rate in a labyrinth seal. The numerical model is widely applicable and does not require an estimate of the kinetic energy carry-over coefficient for example, whose value is often uncertain. Good agreement with measurements is demonstrated for both straight-through and stepped labyrinths. These new detailed results are examined, and several suggestions are offered for the advancement of simple analytical leakage as well as rotordynamic stability models.

Influence of a Honeycomb Facing on the Flow Through a Stepped Labyrinth Seal

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Schramm ◽  
K. Willenborg ◽  
S. Kim ◽  
S. Wittig
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Honeycomb Structure ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Aero Engines

This paper reports numerical predictions and measurements of the flow field in a stepped labyrinth seal. The theoretical work and the experimental investigations were successfully combined to gain a comprehensive understanding of the flow patterns existing in such elements. In order to identify the influence of the honeycomb structure, a smooth stator as well as a seal configuration with a honeycomb facing mounted on the stator wall were investigated. The seal geometry is representative of typical three-step labyrinth seals of modern aero engines. The flow field was predicted using a commercial finite volume code with the standard k-ε turbulence model. The computational grid includes the basic seal geometry as well as the three-dimensional honeycomb structures.

scholarly journals Simulation and Modeling of Flow in a Gas Compressor

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Anna Avramenko ◽  
Alexey Frolov ◽  
Jari Hämäläinen
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Flow Through

The presented research demonstrates the results of a series of numerical simulations of gas flow through a single-stage centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser. Numerical results were validated with experiments consisting of eight regimes with different mass flow rates. The steady-state and unsteady simulations were done in ANSYS FLUENT 13.0 and NUMECA FINE/TURBO 8.9.1 for one-period geometry due to periodicity of the problem. First-order discretization is insufficient due to strong dissipation effects. Results obtained with second-order discretization agree with the experiments for the steady-state case in the region of high mass flow rates. In the area of low mass flow rates, nonstationary effects significantly influence the flow leading stationary model to poor prediction. Therefore, the unsteady simulations were performed in the region of low mass flow rates. Results of calculation were compared with experimental data. The numerical simulation method in this paper can be used to predict compressor performance.

Hybrid Brush Pocket Damper Seals for Turbomachinery

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector E. Laos ◽  
John M. Vance ◽  
Steven E. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Active Vibration Control ◽  
Design Feature ◽  
Aircraft Engine ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Rotating Shaft ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Low Leakage ◽  
Brush Seal

Pocket damper seals perform a dual function: both sealing the pressurized gas around a rotating shaft and providing large amounts of vibration damping. The annular cavity between the labyrinth seal teeth is subdivided into separate annular cavities around the circumference of the rotor by partitioning walls. Also, the upstream and downstream teeth have different radial clearances to the rotor. These seals have been shown to provide a remarkable amount of direct damping to attenuate vibration in turbomachinery, but they generally leak more than conventional labyrinth seals if both seals have the same minimum clearance. Conversely, brush seals allow less than half the leakage of labyrinth seals, but published test results show no significant amount of damping. They are considered to be a primary choice for the seals in new aircraft engine designs because of their low leakage. This paper will describe a recently invented hybrid brush/pocket damper seal that combines high damping with low leakage. Previous brush seal results were studied and calculations were made to select a brush seal to combine with the pocket damper design. The result is a hybrid seal with high damping and low leakage. A special design feature can also allow active vibration control as a bonus benefit. A computer code written for the original pocket damper seal was modified to include the brush element at the exit blade. Results from the computer code indicate that the hybrid seal can have less leakage than a six bladed (or 6 knives) labyrinth seal along with orders of magnitude more damping. Experimental evaluations of the damping and leakage performance of the hybrid seal are being conducted by the authors. The experimental work reported here tested the damping capability of the new hybrid brush seal by exciting the seal journal through an impedance head. A conventional six-bladed labyrinth seal of the same working dimensions was also tested. The brush hybrid pocket damper seal is found to leak less than the labyrinth seal while producing two to three times more damping than the original pocket damper seal (orders of magnitude more than the conventional labyrinth). [S0742-4795(00)01102-9]

Numerical Investigations of Leakage Performance Degradations in Labyrinth and Flexible Seals Due to Wear

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinbo Dai ◽  
Xin Yan ◽  
Kun He ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Numerical Investigations ◽  
Forward Bending ◽  
The Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Wear Damage

Abstract The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods are utilized to investigate the leakage performance degradations in two kinds of flexible seals (i.e. forward bending and backward bending) and two kinds of shroud labyrinth seals (i.e. with straight fins and chamfered fins) in rubbing events. With the existing experimental data, FEA methods for contacting simulations and CFD methods for leakage rate and flow pattern predictions are carefully examined. The wear characteristic and leakage performance between labyrinth seals and flexible seals are compared before and after rub. The results show that, in rubbing process, the labyrinth seal with straight (symmetrical) fins is likely to undergo the mushrooming damage, whereas the labyrinth seal with chamfered (asymmetrical) fins is likely to undergo the tooth-bending damage. In rubbing process, compared with the labyrinth seal, the flexible seal has a superior characteristic in resisting the wear damage due to increased flexibility of fin. For a labyrinth seal with 0.3mm design clearance and a flexible seal with 0.15mm design clearance, the 0.5mm radial displacement of rotor will result in 110% increase of leakage rate for labyrinth seal, and 7% increase of leakage rate for flexible seal after wear. Under the same conditions, the forward bending flexible seal has a lower leakage rate than the backward bending flexible seal before and after rub.

Experimental and Computational Analysis of a Gas Compressor Windback Seal

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Morrison ◽  
Adnan Al-Ghasem
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Screw Thread ◽  
Shaft Speed ◽  
Flow Paths ◽  
Carry Over

A gas windback seals is similar to a labyrinth seal except the cavity is one continuous channel which winds around the shaft like a screw thread. One application is in gas compressors to isolate lubrication oil from the gas flow paths. A CFD based study of clearance, pressure ratio, and shaft speed has been performed. One seal geometry was experimentally studied to provide verification of the CFD accuracy. An empirical model for the leakage rate has been developed which fits the data with a standard deviation of 0.8%. The effects of pressure ratio and shaft speed upon the leakage rate are independent of each other. Analysis of the CFD results indicate that the kinetic energy carry over coefficient is substantially less for the windback seal operating at low differential pressures and gas densities than for a labyrinth seal operating under typical conditions.

Hybrid Brush Pocket Damper Seals for Turbomachinery

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector E. Laos ◽  
John M. Vance ◽  
Steven E. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Active Vibration Control ◽  
Design Feature ◽  
Aircraft Engine ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Rotating Shaft ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Low Leakage ◽  
Brush Seal

Pocket damper seals perform a dual function: both sealing the pressurized gas around a rotating shaft and providing large amounts of vibration damping. The annular cavity between the labyrinth seal teeth is subdivided into separate annular cavities around the circumference of the rotor by partitioning walls. Also, the upstream and downstream teeth have different radial clearances to the rotor. These seals have been shown to provide a remarkable amount of direct damping to attenuate vibration in turbomachinery, but they generally leak more than conventional labyrinth seals if both seals have the same minimum clearance. Conversely, brush seals allow less than half the leakage of labyrinth seals, but published test results show no significant amount of damping. They are considered to be a primary choice for the seals in new aircraft engine designs because of their low leakage. This paper will describe a recently invented hybrid brush/pocket damper seal that combines high damping with low leakage. Previous brush seal results were studied and calculations were made to select a brush seal to combine with the pocket damper design. The result is a hybrid seal with high damping and low leakage. A special design feature can also allow active vibration control as a bonus benefit. A computer code written for the original pocket damper seal was modified to include the brush element at the exit blade. Results from the computer code indicate that the hybrid seal can have less leakage than a six bladed (or 6 knives) labyrinth seal along with orders of magnitude more damping. Experimental evaluations of the damping and leakage performance of the hybrid seal are being conducted by the authors. The experimental work reported here tested the damping capability of the new hybrid brush seal by exciting the seal journal through an impedance head. A conventional six-bladed labyrinth seal of the same working dimensions was also tested. The brush hybrid pocket damper seal is found to leak less than the labyrinth seal while producing two to three times more damping than the original pocket damper seal, (orders of magnitude more than the conventional labyrinth).

A Suggestion for Compressible Flow Graphs for use in Subsonic Flow

1966 ◽  
Vol 70 (670) ◽  
pp. 948-949
Author(s):  
L. J. S. Bradbury
Keyword(s):  
Compressible Flow ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Subsonic Flow ◽  
Flow Equation ◽  
Jet Flows ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Isentropic Expansion ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Graphs ◽  
Jet Blowing

The present re-look at compressible flow graphs arose during extensive testing of jet blowing models in low speed tunnels. In these tests, it is often necessary to calculate such quantities as jet thrusts, mass flow rates and velocities assuming isentropic expansion to the tunnel static pressure from the measured values of the stagnation pressure and temperature. These jet flows are usually compressible but subsonic and, in order to make these calculations, use has to be made either of Bernoulli's compressible flow equation or, alternatively, the extensive compressible flow graphs that are now available.

Dynamic Response Analysis of Balance Drum Labyrinth Seal Groove Geometries Optimized for Minimum Leakage

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandrina Untaroiu ◽  
Neal Morgan ◽  
Vahe Hayrapetian ◽  
Bruno Schiavello
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Test Cases ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Rotordynamic Coefficients ◽  
Overall Stability ◽  
Optimization Loop

Annular labyrinth seals often have a destabilizing effect on pump rotordynamics due to the large cross-coupled forces generated when the fluid is squeezed by an oscillating rotor. In this study several novel groove geometries are investigated for their effect on the rotordynamic coefficients of the labyrinth seal. The groove cavity geometry of a baseline 267 mm balance drum labyrinth seal with a clearance of 0.305 mm and 20 equally spaced groove cavities were optimized for minimum leakage. From the pool of possible groove designs analyzed, nine test cases were selected for maximum or minimum leakage and for a variety of groove cavity shapes. The rotordynamic coefficients were calculated for these cases using a hybrid CFD-bulk flow method. The rotordynamic coefficients obtained by this method were then used with a rotordynamic model of the entire pump to determine the overall stability. Results show that labyrinth seal’s groove shape can be optimized to generate lower leakage rates, while the effects on dynamic properties are only minimally changed. If the seal dynamic response needs to be modified in addition to targeting a lower leakage rate, for instance to exhibit increased damping values, then the leakage rate and the damping coefficient need to be set as objective functions in the optimization loop.

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