Dry Gas Seal Supply Control Using Barrier Gas Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern dry gas seals used in turbomachines require precise operating conditions, including a conditioned and purified barrier gas, and a minimum rotational speed for reliable operation, which can be challenging to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a turbomachine with a gas seal fluidically connected to a gas seal supply line, featuring an analysis unit to determine physical values of the gas, such as molar mass, and a regulating unit to control a valve in the supply line based on these determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a dry gas seal is used to reduce leakage and increase efficiency, then the leakage decreases significantly, but the operating conditions become more demanding and require precisely controlled parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where an analysis unit continuously monitors physical values of the barrier gas (such as molar mass, temperature, pressure) and feeds this information to a regulating unit. The regulating unit adjusts the valve in the gas seal supply line to maintain optimal operating conditions, ensuring stable gas seal performance while minimizing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters of the barrier gas by monitoring physical values such as molar mass, temperature, and pressure. The regulating unit modifies these parameters through valve control to maintain the gas seal within its optimal operating range, resolving the contradiction between reduced leakage and demanding operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the barrier gas is conditioned and purified to ensure reliable gas seal operation, then the reliability of the gas seal improves, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis unit continuously monitors the physical values of the barrier gas including purity and conditioning parameters, providing real-time feedback to the regulating unit. This closed-loop control ensures the gas seal operates reliably by automatically adjusting the supply conditions based on measured gas properties, eliminating the need for overly complex manual conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation of the barrier gas conditions. The analysis unit automatically detects gas quality parameters and the regulating unit autonomously adjusts the supply valve to maintain optimal conditions, reducing the need for external intervention and simplifying the overall gas conditioning requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If a valve is added to the gas seal supply line for flow regulation, then the control precision of gas flow improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve in the gas seal supply line is integrated into a feedback control loop where the analysis unit monitors gas flow parameters and the regulating unit automatically adjusts the valve position. This automated feedback control achieves high precision gas flow regulation without requiring complex manual control mechanisms or multiple valves, as the system self-adjusts based on real-time measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and to a method for operating a system, wherein the system includes a turbo machine with a gas seal. The gas seal is supplied with a gas, in particular sealing gas, via a gas seal supply line, wherein use is made of an analysis unit which is designed to determine a physical value of the gas which flows into the gas seal.