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Where the Guardian Seal extends the efficiency life of the unit the Vortex Shedder Seal improves the units Efficiency beyond design. In short the Guardian is an Efficiency Extender and the Vortex Shedder is an Efficiency Improver.
Typical Efficiency Losses per Stage for a General Electric Style Turbine
Note: The typical efficiency losses per stage for a General Electric turbine are represented by the pie chart. Tip Leakage accounts for 22% of efficiency loss due to leakage per stage.
| Conventional Tip Seal |
Vortex Shedder Tip Seal |
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Rotating Air Foils |
Rotating Air Foils |
| Leackage is represented by the red arrows. |
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The conventional Tip Seal Accounts for approximately 22% of the Efficiency Lost per stage.
Pressure up stream is larger then pressure down stream resulting in a higher pressure drop (i.e. Larger leakage's with Higher efficiency losses)
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The Vortex Shedder effect (as represented by the blue arrows)is created by a dimpling of the seal towards steam flow.
The Vortex Shedder lowers the pressure on the up stream side of the seal. This is accomplished by creating turbulent flow or vorticies. The resulting lower pressure up stream reduces the leakage across the seal by 5.7%, increasing stage efficiency above design by approximately 2%.
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Standard Tooth |
Vortex Shedder added to Standard Tooth |
Measured Proof the Vortex Shedder Reduces Leakage by 5.7% |
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