Simulation and Evaluation of Advanced Long life Seals (SEALS)

One of the most cost-effective opportunities for improving the efficiency of the UK's gas turbine engines lies in the field of air sealing. Improvement in engine efficiency directly leads to a reduced fuel burn and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, contributing towards a lower environmental impact of gas turbine products. The Simulation and Evaluation of Advanced Long-life Seals (SEALS) Technology Strategy Board programme was a project aimed at developing a range of novel sealing technologies for turbine engines. Unlike conventional labyrinth seals which restrict the leakage flow by seal clearance matching and abradable materials, advanced seals operate with much smaller clearances by adapting to variations in their surroundings and in particular providing better accommodation of radial movement variation. This Rolls-Royce led project engaged in numerical and experimental modelling of advanced seals. This benefits the UK in two ways: first economic, by providing UK industry with competitive products and greater export revenue; secondly environmental, by reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from gas turbine propulsion and power units.