Dry gas seals are basically mechanical face seals

consisting of a mating (rotating) ring and a primary (stationary)

ring

During operation, grooves in the mating ring generate a fluid-dyn

amic force

causing the primary ring to separate from the mating ring, thus,
creating a "running gap" between the two rings.

A sealing gas is injected into the seal, providing the working flu
id for the running gap and the seal between the atmosphere or flar
e system and the compressor internal process gas.
Dry Gas Seal Arrangement
Typical Dry gas seal
Seal Face of Dry gas
Theory of Non-Contact

Demo

Lift off of stationary ring

achieved by increased pressure
at the taper portion.
Dry Gas Seal Arrangement in
K-2115/K-4115
Dry Gas Seal Arrangement in
K-2115/K-4115
 PRIMARY SEAL GAS SUPPLY F1 FLARE

FROM COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE

FIT

PCV
START UP SUPPLY N2

FIT

F2

SECONDARY
&
SEPARATION GAS SUPPLY PCV
N2
Dry Gas Seal Supply Console - P&ID
Understanding Seal Gas Supplies to Dry Gas Seal
Primary Seal
Primary Seal Gas is, typically, Filtered gas from the compressor
discharge side, injected in to the Seal Chamber (the primary
inboard seal chamber)
A major part of the this injected gas will flow back to the
compressor through the inner labyrinth at the process gas side.
This achieves the prevention of emissions from the compressor
to the atmosphere.
A small quantity of gas will pass thro the dynamically
separated gap of seal faces to the intermediate chamber between
the inboard &outboard seals
Since this cavity is vented, the rate ( quantity per minute) of gas
flowing out is measured downstream.
This is the indication of the leakage rate of the seal.
A minimum rate of leakage will be always present. Increase in
the rate of leakage beyond design limits indicates reduced seal
performance/ Efficiency
Understanding Seal Gas Supplies to Dry Gas Seal
Secondary Seal

( Secondary Seal is a backup

Containment seal )seal which seals the leakage
from primary seal chamber
Nitrogen is injected in to this secondary Seal Chamber
The Secondary Seal Functions as a safety seal to avoid emissions to
atmosphere in case of excessive leakage in the primary seal

Separation seal ( Barrier seal)

This seal also works in conjunction with a separation labyrinth
situated between the bearing housings and Seal Chambers
The separation gas is also Nitrogen, injected in to the separation
labyrinth
The main purpose of Separation gas supply is to prevent the oil in
the bearing side from entering the seal Chamber.
Presence oil in the seal chamber will cause
damage to the Dry gas seal components
 1
Operational Guide Lines Dry Gas
Seals
Seal Gas Supply Quality
The Quality of Gas fed to the seals must be clean and Dry-
Coalescing Filters to filter 2 microns shall be used in the
Dry gas Supply Console. Pressure Drop across the Filters shall be
monitored and filters must be renewed to achieve good seal performance

Seal Gas Supply flow

The seal gas supply flow must be sufficient enough to ensure that the seal is
Supplied with sufficient filtered gas during operation with excess gas going b
in to the Compressor casing. This is will provide an ideal sealing environment
to maintain the optimum seal performance
Seal Gas Leakage Trends
Seal performance is monitored through leakage trends. Occasional
Spikes
In the leakage due process parameter variations, shaft
movement, speed changes are no cause for alarm. But
persistent trend of higher leakage may give a forewarning of seal
problems
Operational Guide Lines Dry Gas Seals 2

Reverse Rotation
Reverse Rotation should be avoided as it will damage the
delicate parts of a Dry Gas Seal

Reverse Pressure
Reverse pressure under static condition will result in an increase in static leaka
Under Dynamic condition, reverse pressure can result major damage
to the Dry Gas Seal System components.

Slow Roll
In Turbine Driven compressors Slow roll below 1000 rpm be avoided.
The separation of seal faces will not be achieved under such condition.
Seal faces will be running with contact which will damage
the geometry of the grooves in the seal face