Brush-seal and matrix for regenerative heat exchanger, and method of adjusting same

Abstract

Disclosed is a regenerative heat exchanger including a brush-seal configuration to prevent mixing of fluid flows. The regenerative heat exchanger includes a regenerator, and at least two conduits, each conduit having a matrix end abutting a face of the regenerator matrix. The at least two conduits carrying at least two fluid flows, the fluid flows which pass through the regenerator matrix. The regenerative heat exchanger includes a plurality of brush-seals, each brush-seal located at a matrix end of each conduit without contacting the matrix, thereby sealing around a periphery of each conduit to prevent mixing of fluid flows. Also disclosed is a method for establishing a minimal gap between a regenerator matrix of a regenerative heat exchanger and a plurality of brush-seals.

1 . A regenerative heat exchanger comprising:
 a regenerator matrix;   at least two conduits, each conduit having a matrix end abutting a face of the regenerator matrix, the at least two conduits carrying at least two fluid flows, the fluid flows passing through the regenerator matrix; and   a plurality of brush-seals, each brush-seal disposed at a matrix end of each conduit without contacting the matrix, thereby sealing around a periphery of each conduit to prevent mixing of fluid flows.   
   
   
       2 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each brush-seal is affixed to a casing. 
   
   
       3 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of brush-seals is affixed to the casing by a plurality of screws. 
   
   
       4 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 3  wherein each screw is installed through a slotted hole in the casing, allowing the position of the brush-seal to be adjusted. 
   
   
       5 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of brush-seals is affixed to the casing by adhesive. 
   
   
       6 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the regenerator matrix includes a plurality of axially-oriented internal passageways. 
   
   
       7 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the regenerator matrix is formed of a low-thermal-conductivity and high--heat-capacity material. 
   
   
       8 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 7  wherein the regenerator matrix is formed from a ceramic material. 
   
   
       9 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein the regenerator matrix includes an abradable coating layer. 
   
   
       10 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each brush-seal is formed from a superalloy material. 
   
   
       11 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 1  wherein each brush-seal is formed from a ceramic material. 
   
   
       12 . A method for establishing a minimal gap between a regenerator matrix of a regenerative heat exchanger and a plurality of brush-seals, the brush-seals sealing around a periphery of each conduit of a plurality of conduits carrying fluid flows which pass thorough the regenerator matrix, the method comprising:
 installing the plurality of brush-seals such that a bristle end of each brush-seal contacts a face of the regenerator matrix;   rotating the regenerator matrix at a desired speed about an axis substantially perpendicular to the face of the regenerator matrix, friction between the bristle end and the face causing material to be removed from the bristle end and/or the face of the regenerator matrix;   stopping rotation of the regenerator matrix when a power required to rotate the regenerator matrix at the desired speed reaches a predetermined level, stopping the removal of material from the bristle end and/or the face of the regenerator matrix and establishing a minimal gap between the bristle end and the face of the regenerator matrix.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the face of the regenerator matrix includes an abradable coating layer. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the temperatures of the flows passing through the regenerator are substantially the same as at normal operation of the regenerative heat exchanger. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the power is continuously monitored to determine when the power reaches the predetermined level. 
   
   
       16 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 9  wherein the regenerator matrix is formed from a ceramic material. 
   
   
       17 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 9  wherein each brush-seal is formed from a superalloy material. 
   
   
       18 . The regenerative heat exchanger of  claim 9  wherein each brush-seal is formed from a ceramic material.