Rotordynamic and Leakage Analysis for Stepped-Labyrinth Gas Seal

압축기용 계단식 래버린스 실의 누설 및 동특성해석

The basic equations are derived for the analysis of a stepped labyrinth gas seal which are generally used in high performance compressors, gas turbines, and steam turbines. The Bulk-flow is assumed for a single cavity control volume and the flow is assumed to be completely turbulent in circumferential direction. Moody's wall-friction-factor formula is used for the calculation of wall shear stresses in the single cavity control volume. For the reaction force developed by the seal, linearized zeroth-order and first-order perturbation equations are developed for small motion about a centered position. Integration of the resultant first-order pressure distribution along and around the seal defines the rotordynamic coefficients of the stepped labyrinth gas seal. The leakage and rotordynamic characteristic results of the stepped labyrinth gas seal are presented and compared with Scharrer's theoretical analysis using Blasius' wall-friction-factor formula.