Compressor Dry Gas Seals
Compressor Dry Gas Seals
Presenter Bios
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Centrifugal Compressor
Shaft End Seals
Labyrinth seal
Labyrinth Seal used for
➢ Process side seal in dry gas seal
configuration
➢ Separation seals in dry gas seals
➢ Interstage seals as seen in the
picture
➢ Balancing drum seal
➢ Bearing housing seals
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Labyrinth seal
Pros Cons
High Reliability , Higher leakages
long life compared to other
seals
Lower Cost $ Limited to low
pressure applications
Easy to install & in most cases would
maintain in most need inert gases if
cases applied to
applications other
than air
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Centrifugal Compressor
Shaft End Seals
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
➢ Lower leaks compared to carbon ➢ Life is dependent on quality of Seal oil, operation
segmented seals and reliability of seal oil system
➢ Mixing of lube oil system with seal oil system is not ➢ If seal oil contaminates process gas
a major concern that would be a limitation to the seal
application
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
During the last years the gas seals have replaced the oil seals in the sealing system of
a centrifugal compressor because of three important differences:
1. System simplicity:
The gas seal system is simpler than the oil seal one. In fact we do not have pumps,
tank, over-tank and degassing tank of oil and all the instrumentation that we find in
the oil system.
2. No process gas contamination:
The gas seal works with the same compressor process gas, so we do not utilize oil that
can contaminate the gas
3. Increased efficiency:
The sealing is done by creating a gas film instead of an oil film, in order to reduce the
losses of power due to friction.
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Pros Cons
Can be applied to almost entire pressure The cost of the seal is highest in most cases for
range the similar application
Lower leaks compared to other seal types best Life dependent on quality of seal gas and how
to meet most difficult emission requirements. it is maintained through out the operation of
the compressor
As compressor gas is used in most cases as Migration of lube oil to seal side could be
sealing media the system is relatively simpler pose a serious concern and need special
barrier seals
Life of dry gas seals is generally better Failures in many cases are catastrophic in
compared to other seals when operated and nature resulting in sudden outage of
maintained well. machines.
Sensitive to compressor gas composition
changes
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Gas Seal
Wet Seal
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Single
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Tandem
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Let us talk about the tandem seal since it is the common one
Tandem seals consist of primary and secondary seals with an intermediate
labyrinth located between the two. A typical cross-section of a tandem
dry gas seal with an intermediate labyrinth identifying the major seal
components is shown below
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, MLT I, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP -A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
4. Primary vent
➢ The primary vent flow is monitored to indicate primary seal
health, therefore the flowrate of the secondary seal gas is
controlled to ensure it is relatively constant at various
operating conditions.
➢ The total amount of seal gas able to go through
primary seal ring and then go the primary vent is about
5 –7 %,
➢ In proper working conditions the primary vent pressure
should be between 0.3 – 0.7 Bar G.
5. Secondary vent
➢ The secondary vent is typically connected directly to
atmosphere, and will contain the secondary seal leakage
and the separation seal leakage.
➢ The secondary seal operates at such a low DP, that the
secondary vent should remain unobstructed to avoid
reverse pressurization and pushing any gas back into the
bearing housing.
➢ Consequently, the secondary vent pressure and flowrate
are typically unmonitored.
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Separation Seal
A separation seal is also vital part of the overall seal assembly.
These separation seals generally fall into three categories:
1. Labyrinth or Tertiary seal
2. contacting bushings
3. non-contacting bushings.
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Separation seal
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Separation seal
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Contamination
Contaminant is the main source of
dry gas seal failure
There are three primary sources of
gas seal contamination:
1. Process gas (from the inboard or
high-pressure side of the seal)
2. Bearing lubrication oil (from the
outboard or low-pressure side of the
seal)
3. Seal gas supply itself (injected into
the seal)
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Contamination
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Contamination
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Contamination
3. Seal gas supply itself (injected
into the seal)
➢ Contamination from the seal gas supply
occurs when the sealing gas is not properly
treated upstream of the dry gas seal.
➢ Gas seal manufacturers hav e stringent
requirements for seal gas quality.
➢ Typically, the sealing gas must be dry and
filtered of particles 3 micron (absolute) and
larger.
➢ Filters are normally prov ided in the gas seal
system to address this requirement.
➢ While typical systems are supplied with
coalescing-type filters, such dev ices may
be inadequate depending on the source
of seal gas supply.
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A
CLASSIFICATION: C0 - NON-CONFIDENTIAL
Thank You
Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Qatar Petroleum Company
mohrahm4w@gmail.com
LinkedIn profile
http://linkedin.com/in/mohamed-ibrahim-mle-crl-cmrp-va-caiii-
mlai-mlaii-mlaiii-mlti-arp-a-21222bb6
Presented by : Mohamed Ibrahim , MLE, VA III, CRL, CMRP, MLA III, ARP-A