Importance of airflow in turbine engines

Optimized airflow within turbine engines is crucial for achieving peak performance and efficiency. Airflow management ensures that the engine operates within its design parameters, thereby maximizing fuel efficiency and power output while minimizing emissions. Airflow losses due to friction and turbulence and the natural tendency for air to flow toward lower pressure are two of the primary reasons for efficiency loss in the compressor section of a turbine engine. This loss is more pronounced in small turbines compared to their larger counterparts due to their compact size.

Figure 1: Advanced clearance control materials, such as FELTMETAL Abradable Seals, play a vital role in minimizing air leakage. Source: Technetics Group

Advanced clearance control materials, such as FELTMETAL Abradable Seals, play a vital role in minimizing air leakage. This culminates in improved overall engine performance, reliability and sustainability, which are essential for meeting the rigorous demands of modern aviation and power generation industries.

Every millimeter of space is critical in the quest for exceptional performance in compact turbine engines and compressors. Engineers face significant challenges when selecting effective sealing solutions that can operate efficiently within such confined spaces. Technetics understands these unique demands. Their FELTMETAL Abradable Seals are specifically designed to meet the needs of high-performance, small-scale turbines, providing unparalleled efficiency and reliability.

The challenges of compact turbine engines

The microturbine market is expected to increase in the upcoming years as the focus on reducing greenhouse emissions increases, but their reduced size introduces several engineering challenges:

• Space limitations: Compact engines have limited room for components, making it difficult to implement traditional sealing solutions without compromising performance.
• Temperature and heat dissipation: These engines often operate at high temperatures, requiring materials that can withstand extreme conditions and dissipate heat.
• Tip clearance: Achieving tight clearance control is essential for maintaining engine efficiency and performance.

Technetics' FELTMETAL Abradable Seals

Figure 2: FELTMETAL Abradable Seals, used in the turbine shroud, minimize the distance between the blade and shroud to ensure peak efficiency and reliability. Source: Technetics GroupTechnetics has developed a solution that addresses these challenges head-on. FELTMETAL Abradable Seals, used in the turbine shroud, minimize the distance between the blade and shroud to ensure peak efficiency and reliability. These seals are made from a fiberized metal structure that is sintered to a desired density, typically between 18% and 40% of a solid alloy. As the turbine expands at higher temperatures, the blade cuts a path through the abradable material to create a groove unique to that blade, minimizing leakage. While several materials are on the market, FELTMETAL is specially designed to minimize blade damage and prevent debris from contaminating downstream systems.

Key features of FELTMETAL Abradable Seals

Tight clearance control

These seals are precision-engineered to the optimal thickness, allowing for tight clearance control without compromising performance.

Component protection

Figure 3: FELTMETAL Abradable Seals protect turbine blades from potential incursions during machine cycles, extending the life of critical components. Source: Technetics Group

Acting as a sacrificial material, FELTMETAL Abradable Seals protect turbine blades from potential incursions during machine cycles, extending the life of critical components.

Temperature resilience

Built to withstand extreme temperatures up to 1,600° F (871° C), these seals maintain their integrity and performance in the harshest operating environments. For more information, watch this video:

Heat dissipation

Figure 4: A tortuous path “traps” air within the pores. Source: Technetics Group

The material's porosity allows for minimal airflow to dissipate heat but not enough to create a leakage path. A tortuous path “traps” air within the pores.

Customization

With decades of expertise, Technetics offers tailorable FELTMETAL Abradable Seals to meet specific system needs, including development options to address unique erosion and abradability challenges.

Installation advantages

FELTMETAL Abradable Seals are designed for ease of installation, significantly streamlining the process.

Pre-brazed options

Available in solid or segmented metal housings, these seals can be supplied in a pre-brazed ring, ready to be press-fitted or bolted into place. This eliminates the need for additional brazing or spraying, saving time and reducing complexity.

Versatile integration FELTMETAL seals can be customized to braze into existing housing materials, ensuring seamless integration with engine components.

Why Choose FELTMETAL Abradable Seals?

Figure 5: FELTMETAL Abradable Seals offer a range of benefits that make them the ideal choice for compact turbine applications. Source: Technetics Group

Technetics recognizes the distinct needs of smaller, high-performance engines in an industry dominated by large turbines. FELTMETAL Abradable Seals offer a range of benefits that make them the ideal choice for compact turbine applications.

Efficiency and effectiveness

Technetics redefines efficiency and effectiveness in sealing technology by eliminating the need for brazing or spraying with their press-fit or bolted solutions.

Proven reliability

Technetics’ seals are backed by decades of experience and a commitment to quality, ensuring reliable performance in the most demanding environments.

Technetics' FELTMETAL Abradable Seals are not just a product — they're a solution to the unique challenges faced by aerospace engineers and turbine manufacturers. By providing tight clearance control, component protection, temperature resilience and customization options, these seals enable compact turbine engines to achieve peak performance.

Ready to optimize a turbine engine with Technetics' FELTMETAL Abradable Seals? Learn more and get started today by visiting the Technetics’ website.

Technetics is committed to driving innovation and excellence in aerospace engineering. Join them in redefining the future of turbine technology. Contact them to discuss how their solutions can meet specific needs.