Gas Seal Failures Caused by Axial Vibrations
Abstract
This case study describes the root cause investigation of 12 dry gas seal failures in three integrally geared centrifugal compressors over a period of 12 years. These compressors are in fuel gas booster service, supplying a 500 MW gas turbine combined cycle power plant.
The root cause investigation determined that the dry gas seal failures were the result of a design integration problem in which the rotor-bearing system exposed the dry gas seals to both excessive axial displacement and excessive axial vibrations.
These problems were resolved by redesigning the rotor-bearing system to incorporate thrust bearings on the pinion.
Description
Case StudySubject
TurbomachinesCollections
Citation
Byrne, James; Potter, Patrick; Vazquez, Jose (2018). Gas Seal Failures Caused by Axial Vibrations. Turbomachinery Laboratory, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /175068.