Dry gas seals are mechanical seals that prevent gas contamination and release. They require no lubrication, have tight design tolerances, and can be used in various applications. Proper installation and maintenance ensure a long operating life. Retrofitting is possible, but selecting the right product is crucial.
A dry gas seal is a type of mechanical seal used to contain gases without the incursion of contaminants or the unintended release of the gas into the surrounding environment. Such seals are available for use with a variety of compressed systems, even in harsh environments where other seals may be prone to failure. They operate without the need for lubricants and, if installed correctly, can have a very long operating life with minimal problems.
A number of companies produce dry gas seals and components. The basic design consists of a series of rings, one fixed and mounted on the system, the other able to rotate freely. As the rotating ring moves, gas is allowed to flow through a series of grooves, separating the rings and creating a barrier so their faces do not touch. This prevents gases from being released from the system, while keeping contaminants out. If contaminants find their way into the seal, they cannot get past the stationary ring.
The dry gas seal design can be used in applications such as oil and gas drilling as well as gas handling in laboratories and industrial plants. Design tolerances are extremely tight. This is important in installation, where small errors can render the seal useless or cause it to fail unexpectedly. The precision machining of the dry gas seal can keep even the finest contaminants out, as long as it is fitted and maintained correctly.
The lack of lubrication means that the seal requires less maintenance. Technicians don’t need to disassemble and clean it, because there should be no lubricant deposits. There is also less long-term seal wear, which can contribute to a longer working life. Periodic examination of the seal for signs of fatigue is still required and a monitoring system can be put in place to ensure that the seals are regularly reviewed by qualified personnel.
If desired, a new system can be equipped with a dry gas seal from the outset. It is also possible to retrofit to replace a gasket on an existing system with this design. A variety of sizes are made with different components to handle conditions with extreme heat or cold, unusually small contaminants, and other challenges. It is important to select the right dry gas sealing product for a given application to reduce the risk of problems while the seal is in service.
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