High Temperature Sealing Advancements Utilizing Non-Contacting Gas Seal Technology

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Date

2022

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Turbomachinery Laboratory, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Abstract

Non-contacting dual pressurized gas lubricated seals for use in pumps have been in service since the early 1990’s. The application of these seal designs has expanded over time into very high temperature applications up to 800°F (425°C) where emissions, pumped fluid contamination and overall operating/lifecycle costs are a major concern. Sealing technology using metal bellows is needed due to the high process fluid pumping temperatures, mainly in the oil and gas refining and petrochemical industries. Traditional non-contacting gas seal designs utilize a non-interference fitted seal ring to a seal ring adapter. Reliability issues have been encountered with non interference fitted seal ring assemblies in hot, dirty services. The predominant factor affecting long term reliability of the mechanical seal has been seal ring distortion caused by a build-up of hard particulate from the process fluid in the region of the non-interference fitted seal ring to seal ring adapter assembly. The distortion can lead to higher than desirable barrier gas consumption rates, a loss of non-contacting seal operation and reduced mean-time-between-repair (MTBR). Recent advancements have been made in high temperature non-contacting gas lubricated seal technology for industrial use in pumps and other rotating equipment. A study of the latest technology is provided, particularly in the design of an interference fitted seal ring adapter assembly for high temperature non-contacting gas seal design which is both thermally compliant and pressure stable in these applications.

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