GB705720A - Improvements in or relating to axial seals of rotary regenerative heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

705,720. Rotary regenerative heatexchangers. AKTIEBOLAGET LJUNGSTROMS ANGTURBIN. Oct. 11, 1951 [Oct. 12, 1950]. No. 23662/51. Class 64(1) Relates to rotary regenerative heatexchangers (e.g. air preheaters) having a rotor comprising a cylindrical shell 10 carrying heat transfer material and a housing 20 surrounding the rotor and provided adjacent opposite ends of the latter with end plates 21 having circumferentially spaced apertures 22, 23 for the axial flow of fluid heat-exchanging media through the rotor. According to the invention axial seals are mounted in a space 26 between the rotor shell and the housing in locations beneath imperforate portions 24 of the end plates and comprise a pair of circumferentially spaced sealing members 34 only one of which is shown in Fig. 3, extending parallel to the axis of the rotor between said end plates and projecting inwardly from the wall of the housing, each sealing. member 34 being biased by means located at spaced points along its length into sealing contact with the rotor shell 10. In the form shown the sealing member 34 of each seal is slidably mounted between a pair of guide members 30, 31 secured to the housing 20. Adjustment of the sealing pressure is effected by screws 43 associated with springs 38, a number of these pressure adjusting points being provided along the axial length of the seal. When the regenerator is used for heating air by means of hot waste gases a circumferential seal between the rotor and end plate may be provided at least at the colder or air inlet and waste gas outlet end of the rotor. Omission of a circumferential seal at the hotter end of the rotor permits hot gas and heated air to flow in the space 26, thus minimizing distortion in the rotor due to uneven heating. Baffles (not shown) may be provided adjacent the ends of the seal to reduce circulation of the fluids in the space 26.