Forced oscillation seals for air to gas leaks reduction in regenerative air preheaters

A method for preventing radial leaks in a regenerative air preheater containing rotatable radial plates having upper and lower edges, comprising:

• providing a forced oscillation radial seal to prevent leaks of air stream to a gas stream in the regenerative air preheater, the forced oscillation radial seal comprising:
• a base with a first portion and a second free portion, the first portion fixedly attached to a lateral face of the plates adjacent to their upper and lower edges,
• a pivot system having an axis attached to the second free portion of the base,
• a rigid sealing sheet with a first free portion, an opposite second portion, and a central portion, the rigid sealing sheet attached at its central portion to the pivot system,
• a counterweight attached to the rigid sealing sheet so that the rigid sealing sheet reassumes a vertical position after forming a seal with a sealing surface, and
• a plurality of springs in contact with the rigid sealing sheet and the base along the axis of the pivot system that cooperate with the counterweights to force the seal to oscillate, and
• installing, adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the plates, the forced oscillation radial seal.

A method for reconditioning a regenerative air preheater containing rotatable radial plates having upper and lower edges, comprising:

• providing a forced oscillation radial seal to prevent leaks of air stream to a gas stream in the regenerative air preheater, the forced oscillation radial seal comprising:
• a base with a first portion and a second free portion, the first portion fixedly attached to a lateral face of the plates adjacent to their upper and lower edges,
• a pivot system having an axis attached to the second free portion of the base,
• a rigid sealing sheet with a first free portion, an opposite second portion, and a central portion, the rigid sealing sheet attached at its central portion to the pivot system,
• a counterweight attached to the rigid sealing sheet so that the rigid sealing sheet reassumes a vertical position after forming a seal with a sealing surface, and
• a plurality of springs in contact with the rigid sealing sheet and the base along the axis of the pivot system that cooperate with the counterweights to force the seal to oscillate, and
• installing, adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the plates, the forced oscillation radial seal.