Method and system for furnace sealing

1. A ring-seal assembly comprising:

a housing ring coupled to an outer surface of a furnace and disposed around a circumference of a catalyst tube proximate a junction with the furnace, the housing ring comprising a first semi-circular ring half coupled to a second, oppositely-disposed, semi-circular ring half;

a plurality of split brush-seal rings at least partially disposed within the housing ring, the plurality of split brush-seal rings disposed around the circumference of the catalyst tube, each brush-seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings comprising a single joint, wherein the joint of a first split brush-seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings is arranged in a circumferentially staggered orientation from the joint of an adjacent split brush-seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings;

a retaining ring disposed above the plurality of split brush-seal rings and coupled to the housing ring, the retaining ring split into two semi-circular halves;

the plurality of split brush-seal rings comprising a plurality of brushes extending radially inwardly towards the catalyst tube; and

wherein, the ring-seal assembly is installed from a side of the catalyst tube and without removal of the catalyst tube.

2. The ring-seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of split brush-seal rings permits axial expansion of the catalyst tube due to thermal expansion.

3. The ring-seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of brushes contact an outer surface of the catalyst tube.

4. The ring-seal assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of brushes inhibits transmission of gases from the furnace.

5. The ring-seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of split brush-seal rings are seated within a rabbet formed in the housing ring.

6. A method of sealing a junction between a catalyst tube and a furnace, the method comprising:

Installing a housing ring to an outer surface of the furnace and about a circumference of the catalyst tube proximate the junction with the furnace, the housing ring comprising a first semi-circular ring half coupled to a second, oppositely-disposed, semi-circular ring half;

installing a plurality of split brush-seal rings around the circumference of the catalyst tube and at least partially disposing the plurality of split brush seal rings within the housing ring, each brush seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings comprising a single joint;

arranging the plurality of split brush-seal rings such that the joint of a first split brush-seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings is circumferentially staggered from the joint of an adjacent split brush-seal ring of the plurality of split brush-seal rings;

contacting a plurality of brushes extending radially inwardly from the plurality of brush-seal rings with an outer surface of the catalyst tube;

seating the plurality of split brush-seal rings within the housing ring;

disposing a retaining ring above the plurality of split brush-seal rings, the retaining ring being split into two semi-circular halves;

coupling the retaining ring to the housing ring; and

wherein the installing the plurality of split brush-seal rings comprises wrapping the plurality of split brush-seal rings around the catalyst tube such that the plurality of split brush-seal rings may be installed and removed without removal of the catalyst tube.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein contact pressure between the brushes and the outer surface of the catalyst tube inhibits transmission of gases from the furnace.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the seating the plurality of split brush-seal rings within the housing ring comprises disposing the plurality of split brush-seal rings within a rabbet formed in the housing ring.