The flexible contact seal technology was employed to conduct air leakage control and seal transformation for tri-sectional regenerative air pre-heater in a thermal power plant.Compared with the conventional air leakage control measures

application of this technology further decreased air leakage rate of the air preheater

the average value under high unit load condition dropped from 8.35% to 4.405%.Moreover

the coal consumption rate for power supply reduced by about 0.71g/(kW·h)

the mean electric power of the induced draft fan and primary air fan decreased to 12.2% and 18.85%

respectively.Furthermore

the electric saving rate of induced draft fan reached 12.15%

that of the primary air fan went to 19.51%.Supposing the electricity price is of 0.373yuan/(kW·h)

by air leakage retrofit

the air preheater can save electricity by2.275×106 yuan yearly.