TABLE OF CONTENTS The dry gas seal and compressor manufacturers' instructions should be strictly followed when installing, commissioning, operating, and maintaining dry gas seals and their support systems. The following procedures are provided as general guidelines only.
Before proceeding with the installation of dry gas seals, the operator should obtain and review all applicable gas seal and compressor documentation, including instruction manuals, drawings, test reports, and so forth. All required installation tooling and replacement parts must be made available. The operator should take great care in establishing a clean work area.
Gas seals are normally shipped and stored in a sealed bag packaged in a wooden crate. Upon retrieval from storage, the sealed bag should be inspected to verify its integrity. If the package has been violated, the operator should contact the gas seal manufacturer. Further, most gas seal manufacturers recommend that the gas seals be returned to an authorized service center for inspection if they have been in storage for more than two years. The o-rings are usually replaced during this inspection.
It is common for dry gas seals to exhibit excessive leakage to the primary vent immediately on startup after extended periods of compressor downtime. This condition, known as hang up, occurs when the balance diameter o-ring "sticks" to its mating (sliding) surface because of friction. The closing force of the springs is insufficient to overcome the friction forces and cannot force the primary seal ring toward the mating ring. The resulting excessive running gap...
