Labyrinth Seal With Variable Height Teeth Tips for Efficient Leakage Control

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasham Chougule ◽  
Abhay Naik ◽  
Mohd. Qizar
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Baseline Model ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Proposed Modification ◽  
Radial Gap

Abstract A modification of a conventional straight tooth labyrinth seal with variable tooth height is proposed. The baseline and modified labyrinth seal teeth with solid land are examined by three-dimensional CFD numerical modeling of the flow field and evaluated for predicting the leakage through the seal during the engine operation. Stocker’s [1] static labyrinth seal experimental data is used to validate the CFD methodology used in this paper. The baseline and the proposed modified design [2] — “Labyrinth seal with variable tooth heights” are numerically studied with solid lands and evaluated to measure the reduction in leakages. The objective of this study is to provide an improved sealing effectiveness by restricting the leakage flow and controlling the seal leakage during the operation of the engine. In this study, a conventional straight-through four-tooth labyrinth seal with solid land is used as the baseline model. It is first evaluated at different unworn constant radial gaps — between the teeth tips and solid land. In the proposed modification, the height of the intermediate teeth of the baseline four-tooth are varied. The teeth heights are designed in such a way that intermediate longer teeth form a very small or tighter radial gap at start of operation. The shorter ones are designed based on the expected wear groove/rub depth considered by the seal designer. Results indicate that the proposed modification — Variable height teeth tips, reduce the seal leakage by over 50% compared to the baseline. The advantage of this modified design over a baseline seal is that at unworn or worn conditions, the teeth tips always forms a considerable tighter radial gap when compared with baseline seal. The achieved sealing is such that during engine operation of the seal, even if the seal gets worn, the overall leakage is significantly reduced.

Unsteady Interaction of Labyrinth Seal Leakage Flow and Downstream Stator Flow in a Shrouded 1.5 Stage Axial Turbine

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Peters ◽  
J. R. Menter ◽  
H. Pfost ◽  
A. Giboni ◽  
K. Wolter
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Axial Turbine ◽  
Flow Phenomena

This paper presents the results of experimental and numerical investigations into the flow in a 1.5-stage low-speed axial turbine with shrouded rotor blades and a straight through labyrinth seal. The paper focuses on the time dependent influence of the leakage flow on the downstream stator flow field. The experimental program consists of time accurate measurements of the three-dimensional properties of the flow through ten different measurement planes in the stator passage. The measurements were carried out using pneumatic five-hole probes and three dimensional hot-wire probes at the design operating point of the turbine. The measurement planes extend from the shroud to the casing. The complex three-dimensional flow field is mapped in great detail by 4,800 measurement points and 20 time steps per blade passing period. The time-accurate experimental data of the ten measurement planes was compared with the results of unsteady, numerical simulations of the turbine flow. The 3D-Navier-Stokes Solver CFX-TASCflow was used. The experimental and numerical results correspond well and allow detailed analysis of the flow phenomena. Additionally numerical data behind the rotor is used to connect the entry of the leakage flow with the flow phenomena in the downstream stator passage and behind it. The leakage flow causes strong fluctuations of the flow in the downstream stator. Above all, the high number of measurement points reveals both the secondary flow phenomena and the vortex structures within the blade passage. The time-dependence of both the position and the intensity of the vortices influenced by the leakage flow is shown. The paper shows that even at realistic clearance heights the leakage flow influences considerable parts of the downstream stator and gives rise to negative incidence and flow separation. Thus, labyrinth seal leakage flow should be taken properly into account in the design or optimization process of turbines.

Low Leakage Designs for Rotor Teeth and Honeycomb Lands in Labyrinth Seals

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasham H. Chougule ◽  
Douglas Ramerth ◽  
Dhinagaran Ramachandran
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Wall Friction ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Labyrinth Seals ◽  
Low Leakage ◽  
Total Leakage ◽  
Flow Turbulence

Design improvements on labyrinth seal teeth and a honeycomb land are examined by three-dimensional CFD numerical modeling of the flow field. The only objective is reduction of the total leakage through the new seal. CFD assumptions and analysis was validated by comparison with leakage data from labyrinth seal experiments conducted by Stocker [1]. The baseline chosen for comparison of sealing effectiveness is a conventional low clearance straight-through labyrinth seal with four teeth and a honeycomb land of symmetrical hexagonal cells. The proposed new seal has a staggered honeycomb land and straight teeth with an inclined notch. CFD predicts ∼17% reduction in seal leakage at a radial clearance of 0.005 inch (0.122mm) due to higher wall friction and flow turbulence.

CFD Simulation of Lab Seal Tooth Tip Geometry Variations to Reduce Leakage

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasham H. Chougule ◽  
Alexander Mirzamoghadam
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Flow Resistance ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Baseline Model ◽  
Leakage Reduction ◽  
Developing Flow ◽  
Flow Through

A modification of a conventional straight four-tooth labyrinth seal with inclined teeth including single and double stepped notches is proposed. The variants are to be numerically modeled and evaluated for potential leakage reduction through the seal as a result of the developing flow field. The CFD methodology for numerical investigation is first validated by comparison with literature data from static labyrinth seal experiments. The objective is to numerically analyze the proposed “Notched Inclined Teeth” with solid and honeycomb lands and verify the leakages. Another objective is to compare these leakages with the “Stepped Double Notched Straight Tooth” variant discussed by the present authors in a previous paper. Results indicate that the proposed modifications — single and double stepped notched inclined teeth, systematically reduce the seal leakage compared to the baseline straight and forward inclined teeth due to higher turbulence, higher blockages by introducing vortex in leakage flow through step and cavities, and higher flow resistance as compared to baseline model.

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.

Blade-Row Interactions in an LP Turbine at Design and Strong Off-Design Operation

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lipfert ◽  
Jan Habermann ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Stephan Staudacher ◽  
Yavuz Guendogdu
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Joint Project ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
Wake Interactions

In a joint project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and MTU Aero Engines a two-stage low pressure turbine is tested at design and strong off-design conditions. The experimental data taken in the altitude test-facility aims to study the effect of positive and negative incidence of the second stator vane. A detailed insight and understanding of the blade row interactions at these regimes is sought. Steady and time-resolved pressure measurements on the airfoil as well as inlet and outlet hot-film traverses at identical Reynolds number are performed for the midspan streamline. The results are compared with unsteady multi-stage CFD predictions. Simulations agree well with the experimental data and allow detailed insights in the time-resolved flow-field. Airfoil pressure field responses are found to increase with positve incidence whereas at negative incidence the magnitude remains unchanged. Different pressure to suction side phasing is observed for the studied regimes. The assessment of unsteady blade forces reveals that changes in unsteady lift are minor compared to changes in axial force components. These increase with increasing positive incidence. The wake-interactions are predominating the blade responses in all regimes. For the positive incidence conditions vane 1 passage vortex fluid is involved in the midspan passage interaction leading to a more distorted three-dimensional flow field.

Simulation of the Interaction of Labyrinth Seal Leakage Flow and Main Flow in an Axial Turbine

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan E. Anker ◽  
Ju¨rgen F. Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Computational Results ◽  
Axial Turbine ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents the simulation of the flow in a 1.5 stage low-speed axial turbine with shrouded rotor blades and focuses on the interaction of the labyrinth seal leakage flow with the main flow. The presented results were obtained using the Navier-Stokes code ITSM3D developed at University of Stuttgart. A comparison of the computational results with experimental data of this test case gained at Ruhr-Universita¨t Bochum verifies that the flow solver is capable of reproducing the leakage flow effects to a sufficient extent. The computational results are used to examine the influence of the leakage flow on the flow field of the turbine. By varying the clearance height of the labyrinth in the simulations, the impact of the re-entering leakage flow on the main flow is studied. As demonstrated in this paper, leakage flow not only introduces mixing losses but can also dominate the secondary flow and induce severe losses. In agreement with the experimental data the computational results show that at realistic clearance heights the leakage flow gives rise to negative incidence over a considerable part of the downstream stator which causes the flow to separate.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Unsteady Leakage Flow Through the Rotor Tip Labyrinth of a 1.5-Stage Axial Turbine

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wolter ◽  
A. Giboni ◽  
P. Peters ◽  
J. R. Menter ◽  
H. Pfost
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Axial Turbine

This paper presents the results of unsteady probe measurements and numerical flow calculations in a 1.5-stage low speed axial turbine with a straight labyrinth seal on a rotor shroud. The unsteady development of the leakage flow in the three cavities is described and analysed in detail. For the investigation of the leakage flow detailed time-accurate measurements of the three-dimensional flow field were carried out in five measurement planes from casing to the rotor shroud over more than one pitch. These measurements were carried out with a miniature pneumatic five-hole probe and miniature triple hot-wire probes. Both probes have a spherical head for better adjustment in flow direction. The high resolution of 330 measurement points in each of the five measurement planes represents the flow field in great detail. The unsteady experimental data was compared with the results of the unsteady numerical simulation of the turbine flow, calculated by the 3D-Navier-Stokes Solver CFX-TASCflow. The calculated data correspond well with the experimental results and allow a detailed analysis of the flow in the cavities of the labyrinth. As demonstrated in this paper the investigations show that the leakage flow at the inlet ant outlet of the labyrinth is strongly influenced by the different positions of the rotor to the stator. The unsteady experimental and numerical data indicates intensive effects of the leakage flow caused and influenced by the trailing edge of the first stator and the potential effect of the rotor leading edge. An intensive vortex develops depending on the rotor position in the first cavity. This vortex is also influenced by a small corner vortex above the axial inlet gap of the labyrinth. After the fins this unsteady influence of the leakage flow decreases and below the jet a large vortex moves in circumferential direction. The intensity of this circulation vortex is reduced at the end of the last cavity due to the interaction with the main flow and the flow direction out of the labyrinth. Therefore the unsteady behaviour of the leakage flow grows up, which is also caused by its uneven entry into the main flow.

Blade–Row Interactions in a Low Pressure Turbine at Design and Strong Off-Design Operation

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lipfert ◽  
Jan Habermann ◽  
Martin G. Rose ◽  
Stephan Staudacher ◽  
Yavuz Guendogdu
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Joint Project ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Blade Row

In a joint project between the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and MTU Aero Engines, a two-stage low pressure turbine is tested at design and strong off-design conditions. The experimental data taken in the Altitude Test Facility (ATF) aims to study the effect of positive and negative incidence of the second stator vane. A detailed insight and understanding of the blade row interactions at these regimes is sought. Steady and time-resolved pressure measurements on the airfoil as well as inlet and outlet hot-film traverses at identical Reynolds number are performed for the midspan streamline. The results are compared with unsteady multistage computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions. Simulations agree well with the experimental data and allow detailed insights in the time-resolved flow-field. Airfoil pressure field responses are found to increase with positive incidence whereas at negative incidence the magnitude remains unchanged. Different pressure to suction side (SS) phasing is observed for the studied regimes. The assessment of unsteady blade forces reveals that changes in unsteady lift are minor compared to changes in axial force components. These increase with increasing positive incidence. The wake-interactions are predominating the blade responses in all regimes. For the positive incidence conditions, vane 1 passage vortex fluid is involved in the midspan passage interaction, leading to a more distorted three-dimensional (3D) flow field.

scholarly journals Design and analysis of flow rectifier of gas turbine flowmeter

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1504-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Fei Li ◽  
Zheng Du ◽  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Dong-Sheng Li ◽  
Zhong-Di Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Turbine Flowmeter ◽  
Good Agreement

Three-dimensional computational model for a gas turbine flowmeter is proposed, and the finite volume based SIMPLEC method and k-? turbulence model are used to obtain the detailed information of flow field in turbine flowmeter, such as velocity and pressure distribution. Comparison between numerical results and experimental data reveals a good agreement. A rectifier with little pressure loss is optimally designed and validated numerically and experimentally.

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