Compressor design

Main menu

Seals
Bearings

Lubrication
Control system
Operation

Maintenance
Mechanical design Condition monitoring
Trouble shooting

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Flow path

Diffusers
Discharge Suction

Gas enters the

compressor through the
suction nozzle

Work is done by a
rotating shaft ▲
▲
▲
The rotating impellers
▲▲
increase the velocity
and pressure of the
gas
Impellers
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Flow path

Diffusers
Discharge Suction

After leaving the impeller,

the gas flows through the
diffuser where velocity is
converted to pressure

▲
Return vanes guide
▲
▲
the flow to the next
▲▲
impeller

After passing all the stages

the gas leaves the
Impellers
compressor Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Design

 Flow path
 Impeller + Diaphragm
 Inner Barrel + Bal. drum
 Shaft
 Rotor parts - Bearing
 Casing

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Design

Nozzle Nozzle
Discharge Suction

Inner Barrel
Fixed
Casing End Head

Inlet Area
Removable
End head Inlet
Plenum

Seals Bal. Drum Diaphragm Seals

Bearing Scroll Impeller Bearing
Bear. House Scroll plate Shaft/Rotor Bear. Bracket
Bear. Bracket Bear. House
Coupling

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Flex legs

In the compressor the temperature of the gas will rise

when the pressure rises, this will then heat the
casing. Due to this heating the casing wants to
expand, this is called thermal movement.

Flex legs
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Inner barrel

Inner barrel
aero assembly
diaphragms
Inner assembly
rotor Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Diaphragms

The main function of

diaphragms is to guide
gas to the next
compressor stage.
A diaphragm consists of
2 parts, a front plate and
a back plate. The front
plate of the first and the
back plate of a second
diaphragm together form
the diffuser and the
return passage to the
inlet of the next impeller.
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Diaphragms

Diaphragm with return channel

1 2 3

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Rotor

The rotor assembly consists of a shaft fitted with

the following parts:
1 Thrust collar
2 Balance drum
3 Coupling hub
4 Impeller(s)

1 2 3

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial balancing

The pressure difference between discharge side

and suction side of the compressor produces an
axial force towards the suction side.The balancing
line provides suction pressure between the
balance drum and the seals. This causes a force
acting on the balance drum that counteracts the
mentioned force.

Balance line

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial balancing

The axial balancing system consists of a balancing

line, a balance drum and a balance ring.

BAL. FLOW

P1 P2 P1
BAL
DRUM

FB F3 F1 F1

IMPELLER 3 IMPELLER 2 IMPELLER 1

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial balancing

Per impeller the resulting axial force can

be easily calculated, making use of the
dimensions and the suction and discharge
pressure.
Above the inlet labyrinth
the force on the front and
rear sides becomes
cancelled out because
the discharge pressure
downstream of the
impeller continues as far
as the impeller inlet
labyrinth. The areas are
(about) equal.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial balancing

The force acting on the inlet side of the impeller, is:

area of suction region x suction pressure
The force acting on the same area, though on the rear
side of the impeller, is:
area of suction region x discharge pressure

Therefore, the actual force acting on the impeller is:

area of suction region x (discharge pressure –
suction pressure)

The total axial thrust of a compressor rotor with

several impellers is equal to the sum of the axial
thrusts of the individual impellers.
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Suction pressure

Suction pressure

External seal

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Special tools

Now that the total axial thrust of the compressor

rotor is calculated, the necessary balancing
surface of the balance drum can be calculated.
Due to the balance line, the pressure downstream
of the balance drum is more or less equal to the
suction pressure upstream of the first impeller.

This results in a force on the balancing surface of

the balance piston:

total axial force / (discharge pressure – suction

pressure)  balancing surface

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Special tools

Axial Thrust Compensation

-Single Shaft Compr., In-Line Design-

FR = SFimp - Fpist = Abea x PSS [N]

FR = Residual Axial Thrust [N]

Fimp = Axial force generated by impeller [N]

Fpist = Axial force generated by balance piston [N]
Abea = Area of thrust bearings [cm²]
PSS = Specific surface stress [N/cm²]

PSS is limited on thrust bearing pads to 30  PSS  60 [N/cm²]

Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Rotor

Back to back rotor

The impellers are shrunk on to the shaft and

positioned by a locating ring.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial thrust

Axial thrust compensation

Axial Axial
thrust “Back to back thrust
2. Process arrangement” 1.Process
Power Generation Industrial Applications
stage stage
Compressor design
Main parts

1 Casing:
The casing is designed
to withstand the
pressure inside the
compressor and
contains the basic
compressor
components.

2 Inner barrel:
The inner barrel contains
the aero assembly and the
rotor. Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Main parts

3 Rotor: A shaft with a

balance drum and
impellers
4 Seals: Seals make
the compressor gas
tight.
5 Bearing brackets:
The bearings are
seated in the sets
6 Probes: Measure
vibration level and axial
displacements.
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Design variations

horizontally split casing vertically split casing

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Drains

When these drains are present the compressor

needs to be drained before start up.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Skid

Single base plate

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Skid

Bolted base plate

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Skid

Separate base plate

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Skid

FPSO 3 point mount base plate

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Impeller

Impellers form the core of the compressor because

the impeller performs work on the gas. The work is
converted into energy that the gas gains. As the
impeller rotates, the vanes of the impeller force the
gas in the impeller to move outward from the centre.
As the gas moves it gains both pressure and velocity.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Impeller design

Different vane types are available in most

compressors a 2d or 3d design. The amount of flow
and head the compressor has to deliver decides which
vane type will be used.

Enclosed impeller Open impeller

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Seals

Seals form an essential part of compressors because

they prevent gas leakage to the environment and to
internal parts of the compressor. In the compressor
different types of seals are fitted at different places:

Labyrinth seal, throughout the compressor

Dry gas seal, at the inlet side and at the discharge
side
Barrier seal, between dry gas seals and oil bearings

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Labyrinth seal

Seal

Shaft Gas

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Dry gas seal

To prevent leakage of process gas along the

compressor shaft, a dry gas seal is installed at
both ends of the compressor.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Dry gas seal

With rotation filtered process gas is drawn

inwards towards the root of the groove. Flowing
towards the root of the groove the gas gains
pressure.

Rotating ring

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Dry gas seal

At a certain point the gas has such pressure

level that the stationary ring lifts axially from the
rotating ring. Thus a gap forms, which prevents
leakage.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Barrier seal

The barrier seal is mounted between the dry gas

seal and the radial bearing on each end of the
shaft. The main functions are:
Preventing lubrication oil from entering the dry gas
seal area.
Preventing process gas from entering the bearing
housing.

In the event of a failure of the sealing faces of the dry

gas seal, the barrier seal acts as a rundown seal and
minimises leakage of process gas into the bearing
housing during coast down and blow down of the
compressor.
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Barrier seal

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Barrier seal

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Bearings

The main function of the bearings is to provide

friction free rotation of the rotor. They also ensure
that rotation is the only possible movement. The
thrust bearing prevents axial movement and the
journal bearings prevent radial movement.

Thrust (axial) bearing Radial bearing

Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Thrust bearing

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Radial bearing

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Radial vibration

The compressor has been

provided with radial
vibration probes to measure
the radial vibration of the
shaft.

Two probes are mounted at

an angle of 90ºC near each
main bearing. This provides
accurate measurement of
radial vibrations.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial displacement

The compressor shaft has

been provided with two axial
displacement probes. These
probes are mounted on the
thrust bearing side of the
compressor.

The compressor and gearbox

have each been provided
with an additional axial
probe, which functions as a
key phasor:

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Axial displacement

Each probe observes a

groove, machined in the
shaft. The groove provides a
so called once per turn event
which will provide a voltage
pulse every time the groove
passes the key phasor probe.
The key phasor pulse
provides a reference mark for
phase angle, frequency
measurements and all
vibration data acquisition.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Probes

Smallest clearance
1,4 mm HF signal from freely
ported shaft
Medium clearance
1,5 mm

Largest clearance
1,6 mm

HF signal from
vibrating shaft

Dynamic alteration
of clearance
1,6 Vs
Power Generation Industrial Applications
Compressor design
Gearbox

Usually the driver’s shaft rotates at a different

speed then the desired rotor speed. The gearbox
converts the driver shaft speed into the required
rotor speed.

The gearbox has

two shafts, a high
speed and a low
speed shaft.
Wheels of different
size convert the
rotational speed.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Flexible couplings

Flexible couplings connect the compressor shaft to

the gearbox shaft and the gearbox shaft to the
driver shaft. These flexible couplings can
compensate a small amount of misalignment.
A coupling guard is mounted to protect the coupling
from the environment.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Special tools

Special tools are delivered with the compressor

to be able to do essential maintenance. Besides
some spanners, also hydraulic jacks are
delivered.

These are necessary

for (dis)mounting the
hydraulically fitted
parts like thrust collar
and coupling hub.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Type identification

Type identification Siemens Compressors

06 M H 6 B
Impeller diameter multi/single Horizontally / Number of number of nozzles
range stage vertically split impellers
05 250-305 mm M multi H horizontally A 2
06 315-387 mm S single V vertically B 4
08 400-487 mm C 6
10 500-612 mm
12 630-777 mm
14 800-975 mm
17 1000-1225 mm
20 1260-1550 mm

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Compressor overview

Power Generation Industrial Applications

Compressor design
Questionnaire

Questionnaires

• Casing

• Diaphragms

• Internal labyrinths

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 1 What parts of the compressor can be found

inside its casing?
Tick the appropriate boxes:

Shaft
Oil filters
Diaphragms
Impellers
Diffusers
Balance-drum
Coupling
Rotor
Dry gas seal
Inner barrel
Thrust collar

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Answer 1 What parts of the compressor can be found

inside its casing?
Tick the appropriate boxes:

x Shaft

Oil filters
x Diaphragms

x Impellers

x Diffusers

x Balance-drum

Coupling
x Rotor

x Dry gas seal

x Inner barrel

Thrust collar

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 2 Indicate with an arrow in the picture below

in which direction the casing will tend to
extend.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Answer 2 Indicate with an arrow in the picture below

in which direction the casing will tend to
extend.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 3 - Where are the flex-legs located? Are

they on the same side as or opposite to the
thrust bearing?
- What is the function of the flex-legs?
- Explain the location of the flex-legs.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Answer 3 The flex-legs are located on the same side as

the thrust bearing. The function of the flex-legs
is to accommodate expansion of the casing.
The flex-legs are located near the thrust
bearing so that the casing and the shaft will
expand in opposite directions and thus
minimise the total expansion towards the driver
to maintain optimal alignment.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 4 What are the brackets around the shaft and
what do they contain?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 4 What are the brackets around the shaft and
what do they contain?

Answer 4 The brackets around the shaft are the bearing

brackets containing the thrust- and radial
bearings.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 5 What is the pipeline outside of the casing

which is indicated in the picture? Why is it
there?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Answer 5 The pipeline outside of the casing is the

balance line.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 6 Between the suction and the discharge nozzle

of a compression-section is a difference that is
easily visible from the outside. What is this
difference?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 6 Between the suction and the discharge nozzle

of a compression-section is a difference that is
easily visible from the outside. What is this
difference?

Answer 6 The discharge nozzle is smaller than the

suction nozzle.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 7 Which nozzle is the suction-nozzle and which

one is the discharge-nozzle?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 7 Which nozzle is the suction-nozzle and which

one is the discharge-nozzle?

Answer 7 Nozzle 2 is the suction-nozzle and nozzle 1 the

discharge.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 8 As indicated in the picture below, two types of

casing are available. Why will the engineering-
department in most cases propose the
vertically split casing? What is the main
advantage of a horizontally split casing?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Answer 8 The engineering-department will in most cases

propose a vertically split casing the flanges of a
horizontally split casing need to be sufficiently
rigid and quite large in order to accept the
required number of casing bolts to make the
flange sealing gas tight.
The horizontally split casing will only be
proposed in situations where there is no room to
pull out the inner barrel, like in the case where
the compressor has couplings on both sides and
the alignment of this train should stay intact.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 9 On installation of a compressor train the field

service engineer must align it. For this
aligning he needs to choose a fixed point.
What will his choice be? Is it the compressor,
the gearbox or the motor? Explain your
answer.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 9 On installation of a compressor train the field

service engineer must align it. For this
aligning he needs to choose a fixed point.
What will his choice be? Is it the compressor,
the gearbox or the motor? Explain your
answer.

Answer 9 When aligning the compressor train, the gearbox

is considered to be the fixed point. If no gearbox
is used, the compressor will be considered the
fixed point. This is the easiest way, as a change
in position of one part does not influence the
position of the other parts (as the gearbox is in
the middle).

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 10 As condensation can occur inside the barrel

case-drains are made. Locate these drains.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Casing Question 10 As condensation can occur inside the barrel

case-drains are made. Locate these drains.

Answer 10 The case-drains are located on the bottom of

the casing.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?
Answer 1 The passage formed by the adjacent walls of the
diaphragms is called the diffuser.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?
Answer 1 The passage formed by the adjacent walls of the
diaphragms is called the diffuser.

Question 2 What is the function of the diffuser?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?
Answer 1 The passage formed by the adjacent walls of the
diaphragms is called the diffuser.

Question 2 What is the function of the diffuser?

Answer 2 The functions of the diffuser is to convert the

velocity-energy of the gas into pressure.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?
Answer 1 The passage formed by the adjacent walls of the
diaphragms is called the diffuser.

Question 2 What is the function of the diffuser?

Answer 2 The functions of the diffuser is to convert the

velocity-energy of the gas into pressure.

Question 3 How are diaphragms located axially?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 1 What is the passage formed by the adjacent

walls of the diaphragms called?
Answer 1 The passage formed by the adjacent walls of the
diaphragms is called the diffuser.

Question 2 What is the function of the diffuser?

Answer 2 The functions of the diffuser is to convert the

velocity-energy of the gas into pressure.

Question 3 How are diaphragms located axially?

Answer 3 Diaphragms are located axially by a shoulder on

their outer circumference, which fits into a groove
in the aero assembly.
Power Generation Industrial Applications
 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 4 Do the diaphragms rotate with the shaft?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 4 Do the diaphragms rotate with the shaft?

Answer 4 No, the diaphragms do not rotate with the shaft

but are secured in the aero assembly with
special screws.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 4 Do the diaphragms rotate with the shaft?

Answer 4 No, the diaphragms do not rotate with the shaft

but are secured in the aero assembly with
special screws.

Question 5 The diaphragms contain vanes. What is their

function?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 4 Do the diaphragms rotate with the shaft?

Answer 4 No, the diaphragms do not rotate with the shaft

but are secured in the aero assembly with
special screws.

Question 5 The diaphragms contain vanes. What is their

function?

Answer 5 The function of the vanes in the diaphragms

is to guide the flow of gas efficiently into the
eye of the impeller.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 6 In what order will the gas flow through the
following parts?

- return guide vanes

- impeller
- return channel (passage)
- diffuser

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 6 In what order will the gas flow through the
following parts?

- return guide vanes

- impeller
- return channel (passage)
- diffuser

Answer 6 The gas will flow through in the following order:

- impeller
- diffuser
- return channel (passage)
- return guide vanes

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 7 Name the numbered passages in the picture

below.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 7 Name the numbered passages in the picture

below.

1 Diffuser

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 7 Name the numbered passages in the picture

below.

1 Diffuser
2 Guide vanes

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Diaphragms Question 7 Name the numbered passages in the picture

below.

1 Diffuser
2 Guide vanes
3 return passage

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 1 Study the compressor assembly drawing

labyrinths
C****20B000. Where are labyrinth seals
located?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 1 Study the compressor assembly drawing

labyrinths
C****20B000. Where are labyrinth seals
located?

Answer 1 Labyrinth seals can be found:

- Between the Dry Gas seal and the impellers

- On the front side and backside of the

impellers
- Where the shaft protrudes from the driven end
bearing bracket
- On the balance drum

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Answer 2 The seal on the driven end bearing bracket

can be simply removed. The seals between
the dry gas seals can be removed using
special labyrinth pulling tools.The seals on the
impellers are vertically split and can be
unscrewed.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Answer 2 The seal on the driven end bearing bracket

can be simply removed. The seals between
the dry gas seals can be removed using
special labyrinth pulling tools.The seals on the
impellers are vertically split and can be
unscrewed.

Question 3 Are labyrinth seals contacting?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Answer 2 The seal on the driven end bearing bracket

can be simply removed. The seals between
the dry gas seals can be removed using
special labyrinth pulling tools.The seals on the
impellers are vertically split and can be
unscrewed.

Question 3 Are labyrinth seals contacting?

Answer 3 No, labyrinth seals are non-contacting

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Answer 2 The seal on the driven end bearing bracket

can be simply removed. The seals between
the dry gas seals can be removed using
special labyrinth pulling tools.The seals on the
impellers are vertically split and can be
unscrewed.

Question 3 Are labyrinth seals contacting?

Answer 3 No, labyrinth seals are non-contacting

Question 4 Are labyrinth seals leakage proof?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 2 How should the labyrinth seals be

labyrinths
dismounted?

Answer 2 The seal on the driven end bearing bracket

can be simply removed. The seals between
the dry gas seals can be removed using
special labyrinth pulling tools.The seals on the
impellers are vertically split and can be
unscrewed.

Question 3 Are labyrinth seals contacting?

Answer 3 No, labyrinth seals are non-contacting

Question 4 Are labyrinth seals leakage proof?

Answer 4 No, labyrinth seals are not leakage proof

Power Generation Industrial Applications
 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 5 What is the function of the various labyrinth

labyrinths
seals?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 5 What is the function of the various labyrinth

labyrinths
seals?

Answer 5 The seals on the impellers need to seal against

leakage of gas between stages. The seals
between the dry gas seals and the impellers
serve to prevent dirty process gas from leaking
from the process to the dry gas seals.The seal in
the bearing bracket serves to prevent leakage of
oil from the bearing to the coupling.The seal on
the balance drum prevents leakage from the
discharge side to the suction side.

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 5 What is the function of the various labyrinth

labyrinths
seals?

Answer 5 The seals on the impellers need to seal against

leakage of gas between stages. The seals
between the dry gas seals and the impellers
serve to prevent dirty process gas from leaking
from the process to the dry gas seals.The seal in
the bearing bracket serves to prevent leakage of
oil from the bearing to the coupling.The seal on
the balancedrum prevents leakage from the
discharge side to the suction side.

Question 6 Why are the teeth of the labyrinths sharp?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 5 What is the function of the various labyrinth

labyrinths
seals?

Answer 5 The seals on the impellers need to seal against

leakage of gas between stages. The seals
between the dry gas seals and the impellers
serve to prevent dirty process gas from leaking
from the process to the dry gas seals.The seal in
the bearing bracket serves to prevent leakage of
oil from the bearing to the coupling.The seal on
the balance drum prevents leakage from the
discharge side to the suction side.

Question 6 Why are the teeth of the labyrinths sharp?

Answer 6 The teeth of the labyrinths are sharp to reduce

friction in case of contact between labyrinth and
shaft. Power Generation Industrial Applications
 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 7 Is it possible to use labyrinth seals in stead of

labyrinths
dry gas seals?

Power Generation Industrial Applications

 Compressor design
Questionnaire

Internal Question 7 Is it possible to use labyrinth seals in stead of

labyrinths
dry gas seals?

Answer 7 In some cases it is possible to apply labyrinth

seals in stead of dry gas seals, but only in cases
where leakage of the gas (in larger amounts
then dry gas seals) is allowed and when the gas
is not dangerous. They are also applied with
injection of inert gas into the labyrinth so that no
process gas will leak to the atmosphere but inert
gas into the process and to the atmosphere.

Power Generation Industrial Applications