Design Guideline

API 692
Seal Gas Filters
& Separators
1. Introduction
This document is intended to aid and guide in making filter other specific design parameters resulting in a significantly
and separator selections to be used for or part of a seal gas changed base design.
system in accordance with the first edition of the API 692 The requirements for transfer valves which are to be used
design standard as published in June 2018. It should serve as on all duplex components of a seal gas system have become
a useful reference guide for application and sales engineers more specific in API 692. As a standard all metallic parts
but is not a substitute for careful engineering analysis or must be made from stainless steel 316/316L as a minimum.
experience. This guide delivers the main changes between Also, the valves need to meet a leakage class as specified
the API 614 and API 692 design standard for (seal) gas filters in the ANSI/FCI 70-2. Other details influence the internal
and separators, the interpretation of those requirements design and material selection of the transfer valve which
and the standard requested deviations on the Indufil product between others is used in duplex gas filter arrangements.
line provided by John Crane.

3. John Crane Compliance to API 692

2. Major Changes
The API standards are taken as the leading design rules by
The API 692 design rules supersede those in API 614 for seal John Crane in its design of Indufil liquid and gas filtration
gas support systems. Though most of the design rules are equipment used on turbomachinery equipment, including but
the same for seal gas filters, separators and transfer valves, not limited to gas filtration for dry gas seal support systems.
a few changes are important for the design and selection for
properly sized filtration equipment. For some API design requirements, the interpretation may
vary between professionals and some of the requirements
For gas filters, the required filtration fineness and efficiency may even lead to sub optimal equipment performance
have changed considerably. whereby a deviation may lead to an improvement in
performance and reliability of equipment. In the next section
FILTER ELEMENT REQUIREMENT
some specific interpretations and deviations from John Crane
Design Rule Filter Type Fineness Efficiency will be provided.

API 614 Separation/ Although John Crane may recommend in its standard offering of
4 microns ß 85 = 98.8%
5th edition Buffer Gas filters and separators some deviations to the API 692, it should
API 692 Separation/ be emphasized that if a full compliance to the API 692 standard
10 microns ß 1,000 = 99.9%
1st edition Buffer Gas is preferred, this will be available as an option as well.
API 614
Seal Gas Filter 4 microns ß 85 = 98.8%
5th edition
API 692
Seal Gas Filter 1 micron ß 1,000 = 99.9%
1st edition

The sizing of a seal gas filter must be based on three times

the normal flow with a differential pressure measured across
the full filter assembly. API 692 no longer provides an option
for sizing based on the maximum labyrinth clearance as used
on a differential-pressure control system. The differential
pressure measurement points over the filter system are
specifically defined in API 692 and indicate tapping points
before and after the duplex filter transfer valves.
The design rules on a separator have changed significantly
with the implementation of API 692. The performance criteria
are being determined both for solids at 10 microns with 98%
efficiency and for liquids not to exceed 50ppm(w) of liquid
particles as outlet condition.
Sizing parameters for separators are introduced with sizing
based on three times normal flow. Further design rules on the Double block and bleed gas filter
pressure vessel are more detailed with specific requirements
for liquid reservoir volume, distance between measurement
connections for liquid control and several

2
4. Key interpretations and Deviations
Seal Gas Filter
Most of the API 692 requirements are part of the standard gas coalescing filter is not limited by differential pressure
Indufil product design already and do not lead to an drop, but by the maximum gas velocity through the filter
alternative filter design. The new requirements result in element, in order to ensure a correct coalescence of liquids
finer filter elements with a higher filter efficiency tested in from the gas. Filter sizing based on three times normal flow
accordance with the ISO 12500 standard. The Indufil range of with a differential pressure limit of 10 kPa measured over the
filter elements include filter elements in compliance to the complete filter assembly can lead to significantly oversized
new requirements. gas filters based on a flow condition which in practice would
As a standard deviation to API 692, Indufil filters are sized at not occur.
three times normal flow calculated over the filter element not In case the deviation on filter sizing is not acceptable,
to exceed 10 kPa (0.10 bar) and at one time normal flow with then a sizing in full accordance to the API 692 is available,
a maximum drain layer gas velocity of 0.15 m/s, whichever but typically results in a larger filter system.
comes first. In practice, the maximum allowable flow for a (Continued on back)

API 692 KEY REQUIREMENTS

API
API Text John Crane Considerations
Chapter

7.6.1 Filters for seal gas supply, secondary seal gas supply, and John Crane range of coalescing filter elements include
separation gas supply for contacting bushing-type seals are 99.9% efficient filters for 1 micron and larger particles.
coalescing and have a minimum efficiency of 99.9 % on particles
larger than or equal to 1 micron (Beta Ratio, ß 1 > 1,000).

7.6.2 Filters in separation seal gas supply and buffer gas supply to John Crane range of coalescing filter elements include
seals are coalescing and have a minimum efficiency of 99.9% 99.9% efficient filters for 10 microns and larger particles.
on particles larger than or equal to 10 microns (Beta Ratio,
ß 10>1,000)

7.6.5 Each filter is sized for a maximum clean pressure John Crane sizes the filter based on a maximum clean pressure drop
drop of 10 kPa (0.10 bar; 40 in. of water) at three times of 10 kPa at three times normal flow over the filter element. The filter
normal flow of all systems supplied. system clean pressure drop is calculated at one time normal flow
separately. Filter sizing is limited by the gas velocity measured at the
drain layer which might be reached before the pressure drop limitation.
Full compliance is available on request.

3
4. Key interpretations and Deviations (Continued)

Separator SEPARATOR REQUIREMENT

Compared to the API 614 design standard, API 692 provides
API John Crane
a significantly more detailed set of requirements for the API Text
Chapter Considerations
Separator. Based on the latest Indufil technology and in
7.3.1 Separators are provided All options available
order to comply with the API 692 standard, a new series of
with the following: in John Crane API 692
separators has been developed. The specific requirements a) Separation section Separator design.
on liquid reservoir volume, liquid level instrumentation b) Liquid collection section
(connections) and other pressure vessel related conditions c) Level-indicating transmitter(s)
have all been incorporated and are available as part of d) Drain
the normal separator design. e) Removable cover
Indufil standard separator design and selection deviates f) Separate connections for
individual devices
from the API requirement to size the separator at three
times normal flow. For proper separator performance, it is 7.3.2 Separator shall be sized for John Crane sizes the
critical that the separator is not oversized as this will lead three times seal gas normal Separator at one time
flow with the following exit normal flow. Sizing at
to a excessive liquid carry over. Indufil as standard, sizes
gas condition: three time’s normal
the separator at one time normal flow. flow will result in
a) 98% removal of 10 microns
and larger solid particles lower liquid removal
Full compliance to API 692 sizing will lead to an underperforming performance during
separator and therefore is not recommended. b) 50 ppm (w) of liquid particles
normal operation and
is therefore strongly
discouraged.
5. Product Selection Support
For a correct interpretation of the flow parameter given in
the customer design specification, it is important to clarify if
this value is provided as normal (one time) flow condition or
already multiplied for API sizing purposes. Clarification will
be requested before sizing of a seal gas filter and separator to
avoid any misunderstanding resulting in incorrect sized filter
equipment. John Crane has a full range of API 692 compliant
products available, on request with full compliance to all
requirements or as a standard with the deviations provided
above. Our regional filtration specialists as well as our team Gas Pre-Separator
of subject matter experts are available for further explanation
or clarification on the API 692 standard either via phone
conference or in person when preferred. For any support,
please contact your regular John Crane contact person.

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