Advanced Seals for Industrial Turbine Applications: Dynamic Seal Development

Abstract

The ongoing need for higher performance industrial turbines has lead to extensive efforts to improve various components of gas turbines, steam turbines, compressors, and generators. One area being addressed is improved seals to reduce parasitic leakage flows. Major progress has been made to implement advanced dynamic seals into industrial turbines with resulting performance gains. Brush seals have significantly decreased labyrinth seal leakages in gas-turbine compressors and turbine interstages, steam-turbine interstage and end packings, industrial compressor shaft seals, and generator seals. Abradable seals are being developed for blade-tip locations in various turbine locations. The development and implementation of advanced seals in industrial turbines is summarized and with a focus on dynamic seals.