Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays as Novel Self-Lubricating High-Efficiency Brush Seal for Concentrating Solar Power Turbomachinery

In advanced turbines for concentrating solar-thermal power plants that use supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid, metal brush seals prevent internal energy leakage. This project will develop a new scalable seal brush on a flexible base that will improve the seal's efficiency and durability. The seal will be made of a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array and use a chemical vapor deposition process without a catalyst. The project will aim to improve turbine efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost by at least half.