In recent years, multiphase pumps have become more and more popular because of the capability to simplify the process, reduce the footprint, and lower the cost. To compensate for the axial thrust force, an annular seal is normally used as a balance piston seal, and the labyrinth seal is one of the choices. A typical labyrinth seal consists of a surface with teeth and a smooth surface. The teeth are either on the rotor or the stator. To protect the machine, one side (either the teeth or the smooth surface) is made of a material that can be safely sacrificed during a rub. After the rub, the tooth clearance is increased. This paper studies the impact of the increased tooth clearance on the performance of the labyrinth seal under oil-rich bubbly flow conditions. The test fluid is a mixture of silicone oil (PSF 5cSt) and air with inlet Gas Volume Fraction GVF up to 12%. Tests are conducted with pressure drop PD = 48.3 bars, exit pressure Pe = 6.9 bars, rotor speed ω = 5 krpm, and radial clearance Cr = 0.102 mm and 0.178 mm. Measured leakage mass flow rate and rotordynamic coefficients (stiffness and damping coefficients) of test seals will be presented, discussed, and summarized.

Effects of Increased Tooth Clearance on the Performance of a Labyrinth Seal With Oil-Rich Bubbly Laminar Flow

Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/GT/GT2021/volume/84898

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