Method for maintaining a certain clearance between at least one end of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger rotor and movable sector-shaped plate being arranged in close vicinity of this rotor end as well as rotary regenerative heat exchanger for making the same

摘要

The invented method for maintaining a certain clearance between at least one end of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger rotor and movable sector-shaped plate being arranged in a close vicinity of this rotor end is carried out in such a manner that gas is supplied in a single means for creating a gas cushion and in this means for creating the gas cushion it is distributed for formation of a longitudinal gas cushion, whose greater dimension extends along a part of said end flange. In the rotary regenerative heat exchanger of the kind having a rotor (2) mounted in a casing (1), a support (10) is provided for maintaining a certain clearance (S) between the rotor (2) upper end and an upper movable sector plate (6) attached to the casing (1) and located close to the rotor (2) upper end. Each support (10) comprises a means for creating a gas cushion, whose front surface (12) cooperates with an end surface (11) on an upper ring-shaped flange (9a) of the rotor (2). Each support (10) is provided with gas conduit means ending in a gas outlet means formed fir instance by a groove (16) performed in the front surface (12) and being connected to a gas source (22) of a pressure being sufficient to establish a gap between the front surface (12) and the end surface (11) so that a cushion of gas is established between the surfaces as the gas escapes from the gas outlet means through the gap. According to the invention, a sector-shaped plate (6) is supported by only one single gas cushion support with a front surface (12) of elongated shape, having its longer dimension directed circumferentially along said end surface (11).