Reduced wear and self cleaning stoker seal

A sealing apparatus for use with a traveling grate comprising:

• a base;
• a first leg and a second leg extending upwardly from said base, said base and said first and second legs cooperating to form a U-shaped channel;
• at least one gusset member disposed in said channel;
• at least one male connector extending laterally from said channel;
• a first flange extending outwardly from said first leg and defining a first surface extending between said first leg and at least one edge of said first flange;
• a second flange extending outwardly from said second leg defining a second surface extending between said second leg and at least one edge of said second flange;
• said first surface comprising a first sealing portion adjacent to said first leg and at least one first self-cleaning discharge portion sloped downwardly from said first sealing portion to said at least one edge of said first flange, for discharge of wear materials therefrom;
• said second surface comprising a second sealing portion adjacent to said second leg and at least one second self-cleaning discharge portion sloped downwardly from said second sealing portion to said at least one edge of said second flange, for discharge of wear materials therefrom;
• and said first and second sealing portions are positioned proximate to portions of the traveling grate and defining gaps therebetween, said gaps configured for stationary positioning of said sealing portion therein to mitigate flow therethrough, wherein said portion of the traveling grate travels over said stationary sealing portion.