Centrifugal Compressor Seals

Give other constructional details and process parameters of the compressor. What type of seals are installed. What was the damage observed/found in the previous seal. What is the temperature of sealed gas at NDE.

Every body can not understand by the service of Hydrogen Recycle Compressor. At many places Hydrogen recycle compressor is reciprocating.

You should describe a little more like what type of seal, is it a labyrinths seal? For sealing gas or lubricating oil? If gas, its an impeller eye seal or shaft seal? What is the seal material? What is the recommended maximum clearance? How about shaft vibration, is it within acceptable norm? How big is the machine (kW) and what is the rotor speed?

Assuming that its shaft seal for gas, check for the particular bearing clearance whether it exceeded norm. Analyse for shaft vibration and see whether it is within the norms. Also check if gas is carrying any abrasive particles, check condition of gas filters if installed.

Yes, due to your overload the seal will bind the aperture involved is unsustained reccomedations rear seal is zealed dont change the front concentrate on the rear only and the apperatius will congeuel to normal expected life performance 2.3 yrs. ED MARTINEZ M.L.D MOLECULAR LINEAR DYNAMICS.

Is it a 'floating ring oil seal' with 'seal oil' system?

What kind of damage you found that allowed excess seal oil?

In one of the failures, I've witnessed similar consecutive trips. Surprisingly there was no damage found for the seal rings. If your case also resembles such, I have an interesting story to tell...

As indicated more infomration is required about the seals and operating conditions.

As dry gas seals are typically used on newer centrifugal compressors, I would assume you are using dry gas seals? Dry gas seals can be problematic in hydrogen service as the correct seal supply system has not provided with the seals for the application.

Based on the limited information the problem maybe liquid dropping out in the seal, which is causing a seal failure. Assumption is NDE is the suction end of the seal, which is colder and the failures are occuring when the ambient temperatures are low. Both of these conditions result in liquids dropping out of the seal gas on the cold end of the compressor and causing a seal failure.

The solution may be as simple as heat tracing and insulating the line or could be more complicated and require conditioning of the seal gas.

If this is the case I can provide you a local contact in India who would be able to assist with resolving your problem.