Compressor Dry Gas Seal Liquid Infiltration Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressors employing dry gas seals face failures due to liquid infiltration and liquefaction of sealing gas, which can lead to unstable dynamic pressure and potential damage to seal surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A compressor design incorporating a dry gas seal system with a sealing gas channel, a drain gas channel, and a sealing gas regulating valve, where the drain gas channel allows quick discharge of liquid and liquefied gas to the intake channel, and an emergency channel maintains appropriate pressure to prevent seal surface damage, along with a sealing gas supply source and optional orifice, flow regulating valve, and shutoff valve for enhanced control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dry gas seal is used to seal the compressor, then the seal does not use oil and is suitable for process gas compression, but liquid infiltration causes unstable dynamic pressure and potential seal surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barrier seal as an intermediary component between the dry gas seal and the process gas. This barrier seal prevents liquid infiltration from reaching the dry gas seal, thereby protecting the seal surfaces while maintaining the dry seal's suitability for process gas compression
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier seal is positioned upstream of the dry gas seal to preemptively block liquid infiltration before it can affect the seal surfaces. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effects of liquid on the dry gas seal mechanism
2Reliability
If the rotating ring and stationary rings are brought into contact to seal gas, then sealing is effective, but seal surfaces may be damaged during rotation when liquid infiltrates
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier seal acts as a protective intermediary that prevents liquid from reaching the contact surfaces of the rotating and stationary rings, allowing them to maintain effective sealing contact without the risk of liquid-induced surface damage
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier seal provides beforehand protection by blocking liquid infiltration paths before the liquid can reach the seal surfaces, cushioning the seal mechanism against potential damage while maintaining operational contact
3Strength
If liquid infiltrates to the seal surfaces, then dynamic pressure becomes unstable and gaps are not formed stably, but the seal can withstand thrust force under high pressure operation
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier seal serves as a protective intermediary that prevents liquid infiltration, thereby maintaining stable dynamic pressure conditions while allowing the dry gas seal to withstand high thrust forces through its robust design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively suppresses failures caused by liquid infiltration and liquefaction, maintaining seal integrity and preventing damage by ensuring quick liquid discharge and optimal pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
in a state the rotating body is rotating, the sealing gas flows in to the spiral grooves, dynamic pressure is formed, narrow gaps are formed between the rotating ring and the stationary rings, the seal surfaces for the sealing gas are formed there
Implementation Method 2
stationary rings disposed in positions of the rotating ring opposite to vertical edge surfaces generally orthogonal to the shaft and fixed to the casing and the like via an elastic material
Data Source
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AI summary
A sealing system is equipped with: a dry gas seal 15 having a rotating ring 16 positioned between a casing 1a and a rotor shaft 11 and around the circumference of the rotor shaft 11, and stationary rings 19, 20 provided on the casing 1a with elastic members 17, 18 interposed therebetween and so as to be capable of contacting the orthogonal edge surfaces of the rotating ring 16 that are substantially orthogonal to the rotor shaft 11; a sealing gas channel 6 having one end connected to a discharge channel 5, the other end connected so as to connect to a space 37 between the casing 1a and the outer perimeter surface 16a of the rotating ring 16 in the dry gas seal 15, and having a sealing gas regulating valve 8 provided therein; and a drain gas channel 26 having one end connected so as to connect to the space 37 via a through hole 35 formed in the casing 1a below the rotating ring 16, and the other end connected to an intake channel 3.