Study On Numerical Simulation Of Labyrinth Seal

Labyrinth Seal occupies a pivotal role in the steam turbine. Due to the structure complexity of the Labyrinth Seal, internal steam flowing is very complex that makes experimental research within the Labyrinth Seal flow becoming difficult. With the rapid development of computational fluid dynamics, relatively accurate solution have become true, which laid a solid foundation for the development and improvement of the Labyrinth Seal. Researchers have begun analyzing and simulating labyrinth seal using computational fluid dynamics software. The structure and working principle of the most commonly used labyrinth seal are described in this article. The Gambit software is used to draw three-dimensional physical structure diagram of axis straight Labyrinth Seal and high-low Labyrinth Seal, which then meshed and finally imported into the commercial Fluent software. Then the internal pressure field and velocity field are simulated and the simulation results are analyzed. At the same time, the leakage under different parameters of seal teeth are analyzed through changing axis straight labyrinth seal and high-low labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal parameter of smallest leakage is concluded after simulated in the labyrinth seal. Based on computal and experimental study, an optimal select and adjustment of the labyrinth seal can reduce the leakage and improve the thermal efficiency of the power plant unit.