Gasturbines@SNU

  Centrifugal compressors can be broadly classified into shrouded and unshrouded compressors. Shrouded centrifugal compressors have eye labyrinth seals for aerodynamic and structural reasons. The seals enhance aerodynamic efficiency by reducing leakage through the gap between rotating and stationary components. A typical labyrinth seal is composed of two or more sharp sealing knives. Labyrinth seals are one of major causes of rotordynamic instability problem due to non-axisymmetric sealing gaps in shrouded compressors. When rotordynamic instability takes place, compression system can encounter vibration problems. 
This study aims to investigate aerodynamic effects of rotordynamic instability caused by the eye labyrinth seal flow in shrouded centrifugal compressors. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to study fluid dynamic characteristics.