MC-97-77 FIELD APPLICATIONS OF DRY GAS SEALING TECHNOLOGY

Description:

Retrofitting pumps and compressors to dual seals lubricated with dry air, nitrogen gas, or steam extends the operating life of the equipment in the chemical and petrochemical process industry. Advantages of dry gas seals include controlling emissions and minimizing product contamination. Installation, operating, and maintenance costs are also reduced. An understanding of liquid lubricated and dry gas sealing technology, and the required auxiliary systems is essential to the successful selection, installation, and maintenance of these assemblies. Contacting and noncontacting face designs for dry gas seals need to be considered with regard to heat generation and leakage rates. A number of face groove patterns and seal arrangements are available. The dry gas sealing systems are capable of handling normal and off-design operating conditions including cavitation. Successful field applications of dry gas seals are documented to illustrate how this sealing technology can be applied to address difficult sealing services.