Non-Contacting Carbon Seal for High-Temperature and Large-Diameter Turbomachinery Applications

Abstract:

Non-contacting circumferential segmented hydrodynamic carbon seals have been used in aviation engines to seal lubrication oil from air flow path in bearing locations. Its tight clearance and long life from non-contacting operation are attractive to large gas turbine and steam turbine where efficiency is critical. In this paper, development of segmented carbon seals for large turbomachine is presented. The seal is targeting locations where temperature is over 500C (930F) and rotor diameter is over 0.38 meter (15 inches). Comparing to current circumferential segmented carbon seal technology, the new seal is capable of running 260C (480F) hotter and it is 3 times larger.Three sets of test seals were made with newly developed manufacture process. The test seals are 12 inches in diameter, made of three different carbon grades that were down-selected from a dozen candidates having potential of enduring high temperature of air and superheated steam. A test rig was set up to test one pair of seals at a time. One of the seals is facing high-temperature steam, while the other one is exposed to hot air.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 744)
• Pages: 262-265
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.744.262
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Xiao Qing Zheng, Bill la Pointe, Steve Sciutto
• Keywords: Carbon Graphite, Mechanical Seal, Non-Contacting Seal, Steam Turbine

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