Evaluation of rotordynamic stability of a steam turbine due to labyrinth seal force

Abstract

This paper describes the evaluation of unstable vibration caused by the seal force, which is known as "Steam Whirl" in a steam turbine. Stability of a steam turbine is evaluated by complex eigenvalue analysis of rotordynamics model considering the dynamics of seals, rotor, bearings and pedestals. A commercial CFD program is employed to estimate the dynamic coefficients of labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal of a large scales steam turbine is taken as an object of analysis and a 3D model with eccentric rotor is solved to obtain the rotordynamic force components. The rotordynamic force is derived by integrating the pressure on the rotor surface. Evaluation formula is formed from the results of numerical calculation, which is used to predict the dynamic coefficient of each seal in a steam turbine. Then rotordynamics model of total system including seal is constructed and stability is evaluated by complex eigenvalue analysis. This procedure is applied to the design of steam turbines and enables the optimization of the turbine structure considering the efficiency and stability.