The honeycomb seal of steam turbine, as an advanced sealing technology, is an indispensable component in modern steam turbine design. It plays an important role in improving thermal efficiency, reducing leakage losses, and enhancing rotor stability. The following is a detailed introduction to the honeycomb seals of steam turbines:
Steam turbine is a key equipment that converts the thermal energy of steam into mechanical energy, and is widely used in various fields such as electricity, petrochemicals, ship propulsion, and aviation. In the operation of the steam turbine, in order to reduce steam leakage between the high-pressure and low-pressure areas and improve efficiency, it is necessary to use efficient sealing devices. Although traditional comb tooth seals have been widely used, there are problems such as large leakage and limited sealing effectiveness. Therefore, honeycomb seals have emerged as a new choice to improve the efficiency of steam turbines with better aerodynamic characteristics and sealing performance.
Structure and characteristics:
The core of honeycomb seals lies in their unique structural design. Unlike traditional comb tooth structures, honeycomb seals are composed of a series of small, tightly arranged pores that form a honeycomb like structure. This design allows steam to undergo multiple directional changes and energy losses when passing through the steam seal, effectively reducing the leakage rate and reducing the amount of leakage. Meanwhile, due to the special arrangement of the pores, the honeycomb seal can better adapt to the dynamic deformation of the rotor during high-speed rotation, maintain good contact, and further improve the sealing effect.
Performance advantages:
1. Reducing leakage: Compared with traditional seals, honeycomb seals can significantly reduce steam leakage and improve the overall thermal efficiency of steam turbines. It is estimated that they can reduce the average heat consumption by about 5 grams per kilowatt hour of standard coal.
2. Improving stability: The honeycomb structure adapts to the subtle deformation of the rotor under high-speed rotation, maintains stable sealing contact, helps improve the stability of rotor operation, and reduces vibration and wear.
3. Extended lifespan: Due to its excellent sealing performance and good adaptability to rotor dynamic behavior, the service life of honeycomb seals far exceeds that of ordinary comb seals, usually more than twice as long.
4. Reducing maintenance costs: Reducing leaks and extending service life means less downtime and lower maintenance costs, thereby improving the overall economy of the equipment.
Honeycomb sealing technology has been widely applied in various scenarios, including but not limited to 600MW supercritical steam turbines, 110MW steam turbine flow section modification, 6MW condensing steam turbine shaft end sealing, as well as engines in aerospace, aviation, and marine power systems.
