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Comb-Type Steam Seal Strip

Updated: 2026-07-15

Overview

Comb-type steam seal strips are critical sealing components in steam turbines and other rotating equipment where high-pressure steam containment is essential. Their distinctive multi-tooth (comb) configuration creates a labyrinthine path that drastically reduces steam leakage compared to traditional flat seals. Developed as an upgrade to conventional gland seals, these strips improve turbine efficiency by 1-3% in typical applications. They are standard in modern power plants and industrial turbines, particularly in units operating above 100 bar pressure.

Structure and Working Principle

The seal strip consists of alternating fixed and rotating teeth that interlock without contact, forming a series of pressure-reducing chambers. As steam attempts to bypass, each chamber successively drops the pressure through throttling effects and kinetic energy dissipation. Precision-machined clearances (typically 0.2-0.5mm) between teeth are maintained even during thermal expansion, thanks to advanced alloy selection. The staggered tooth arrangement prevents direct flow paths, with some designs incorporating honeycomb or abradable coatings for enhanced performance.

Key Features

Modern comb-type seals offer superior creep resistance at temperatures exceeding 500°C, with special alloys maintaining strength beyond 700°C. Their segmented construction allows thermal growth compensation while preventing catastrophic failure from rub incidents. Advanced versions may include: Directional teeth angles for steam flow control, hybrid designs with brush seals for startup conditions, and coatings like chromium carbide for abrasion resistance. These features collectively extend service life to 5-8 years in continuous operation.

Application Areas

Primary applications include: High-pressure steam turbines in power generation (especially nuclear and supercritical coal plants), industrial steam turbines for petrochemical processes, and some gas turbine compressor sections. They're increasingly adopted in waste heat recovery systems and concentrated solar power plants where steam conditions approach 600°C/250 bar. Special miniature versions serve in auxiliary turbine applications like boiler feed pumps.

Maintenance and Precautions

During maintenance shutdowns, inspectors should measure tooth clearances with feeler gauges and check for: Steam cutting erosion (particularly on trailing edges), thermal fatigue cracks at tooth roots, and foreign object damage. Installation requires strict adherence to OEM torque specifications for retaining hardware. Misalignment exceeding 0.1mm/meter can cause premature wear. Post-installation, turbines should undergo gradual run-up to operating temperature to prevent thermal shock.

B2B Procurement Guide

When sourcing comb-type seals, verify: Material certifications (AMS/MIL specs for aerospace-grade alloys), dimensional tolerances (ISO 286 or ASME Y14.5 standards), and non-destructive testing reports for critical applications. Leading manufacturers include Mitsubishi Power, Siemens Energy, and GE Steam Power, with quality alternatives available from specialized suppliers like Flexaseal and EagleBurgmann. MOQs typically start at 10-50 sets for standard sizes, with 12-16 week lead times for custom designs.

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