Rotary kiln seal and method

A rotary seal assembly for a rotary kiln having a hood and a rotary drum with an opening formed between the drum and the hood, wherein the rotary seal assembly comprises:

• a flexible framework arrangement having a mounting ring, studs and pivot arms that attaches to the hood;
• a riding surface that engages the drum and connects with the framework arrangement in response to the movement of the drum as the drum rotates, the riding surface includes a series of seal segments with each seal segment having a mounting eye, each mounting eye disposed at a corner portion at one end of each seal segment, each seal segment having a serrated lip such that lips of adjoining overlapping seal segments do not overlap lips of other adjoining seal segments;
• and a seal that is supported by the riding surface and is in essentially 360-degree contact with the drum when it is rotating via the riding surface and that seals the opening between the drum when it is rotating and the hood to prevent fluid flow into and out of the opening, wherein the lip of each seal segment ensures that the seal will maintain position on top of each seal segment and also ensures that the seal segments will have free range of motion without the lip of each seal segment catching on any other lip of an adjoining seal segment.