A Study on Effect of Seal Profile on Leakage Flow Rate in a Labyrinth Seal Using Computation Fluid Dynamics Analysis

Abstract

Seals are basic mechanical devices used in machinery to avoid undesired flow losses of working fluids. Sealing arrangement between the rotating and stationary components define the overall efficiency of gas turbines. Among all annular seals, labyrinth seals are the most popularly used. These seals provide resistance to the fluid flow through a tortuous route comprising a series of cavities and clearances. The seal tooth profile converts the pressure energy into the turbulent kinetic energy which is dissipated through turbulence velocity interaction in the cavity and hence reducing the leakage flow rate. This work aims to study leakage flow rate of labyrinth seal with respect to the different seal profile designs and comparing the results in order to identify the major contributing factors in labyrinth profile design to reduce the leakage flow rate. Labyrinth seal profiles are modeled using CATIA software and static, modal analysis are carried out using ANSYS software and CFD analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics software.

Keywords: Seals, Labyrinth Seals, Leakage Flow Rate, Computation Fluid Dynamics Analysis (CFD), Static, Modal Analysis, Catia Software, Ansys Software, Comsol Multiphysics Software