Numerical Modeling of Viscous Fluid Flow by Sealing Labyrinths

This paper analyzes laminar viscous fluid flow through interstices in order to properly design the labyrinth seals and improve the volumetric efficiency of the turbomachines. The theoretical study and hydrodynamic modeling of the threedimensional flow inside the labyrinth was made using a CFD application ANSYS Fluent, on different labyrinth geometries. There were determined: the flow spectrum, axial, tangential and total velocities, pressure variations along the labyrinths. From the analysis of three different geometries of labyrinth with baffles, resulted an optimal geometry for the sealing labyrinths of turbomachines, in terms of the gaps between the fixed and the rotating ring and the depth of the baffles. The numerical results also allowed the evaluation of the pressure losses along the maze, leading to the conclusion that the best geometry for labyrinths with baffles is the one were the width of the flow channel is equal or less than the baffle depth.