SERVICES

Compressor Seal
Replacement and Upgrades
 Compressor Seal Upgrades
A compressor seal upgrade by Elliott Group increases seal reliability and reduces process gas leakage to
improve overall efficiency. Optimal seal performance depends upon proper selection for the process application,
operating conditions, process gas composition, and design specifications. For example, if a compressor is
operating at off-design conditions, premature wear of critical components can cause increased gas leakage, oil
contamination, reduced efficiency, increased downtime, and adverse environmental consequences. In addition
to increased efficiency and reliability, a seal upgrade by Elliott reduces operating and maintenance costs, and
increases safety. These benefits can quickly offset the costs associated with a seal upgrade.

Seals are complex assemblies that require precise clearances to minimize gas leakage. For decades, Elliott
Group has been a leader in the design and manufacture of self-contained cartridge seals that simplify the
procurement and installation of complete seal assemblies for a wide range of operating pressures. Elliott also
designs and manufactures complete dry gas seal systems to ensure optimal functionality, including gas seal
cartridges, separation seal cartridges, process side labyrinth seals, and buffer gas systems. Elliott tailors every
seal upgrade to a customers specific needs for a reliable installation, regardless of the original equipment
manufacturer (OEM).

Oil Seals
Configuration Application Sealing Pressure

Iso-carbon cartridge seal Low pressure 750 psig

Iso-sleeve cartridge seal High pressure 4,200 psig

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 Iso-carbon cartridge seals
Elliott Iso-carbon cartridge seals are mechanical contact oil seals that use stationary and rotating components in
conjunction with a stainless steel backed carbon ring to create a sealing surface. Oil lubricates, cools, and flushes
the mechanical contacting surfaces. A thermoplastic labyrinth seal with rub-tolerant teeth replaces the traditional
aluminum labyrinth to create a tighter seal, reduce the risk of oil ingestion, and resist corrosion and chemical
attack from the process gas. The cartridge assembly is installed into a compressor as a single component,
simplifying installation and maintenance. The Elliott Iso-carbon cartridge seal offers:

Pre-assembly of all parts for protection during

storage
Static leak testing to verify proper assembly before
installation
Simple installation of cartridge assembly
Drop-in replacement without modification of the
seal housing or rotor removal
Elliott Pos-E-Seal included as a secondary seal to
reduce friction
Fail-safe design maintains the seal in case of seal
oil pressure loss

Iso-carbon cartridge seals are used in applications

with sealing pressures up to 750 psig.
Shutdown pins
provide pressure
to the carbon ring
during shutdown
Contact
seal
sleeve Pos-E-Seal
Isolation Rotating provides reduces
sleeve contact pressure component wear
Outboard seal ring against the
secures all seal carbon ring
housing components directs oil
secures seal to to maintain flow to the
compressor cartridge carbon ring
design

Inboard Arlon
labyrinth seal
Spring retainer reduces gas
Locknut provides optimum leakage and
secures sealing pressure resists corrosion
the rotating during shutdown
contact ring
Seal sleeve Conical springs
aligns seal provide pressure
assembly against the spring
Carbon ring retainer and contact
controls oil sleeve seal
leakage

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 Iso-sleeve Cartridge Seals
The Elliott Iso-sleeve cartridge seal is designed for applications that exceed the pressure limitations of
a mechanical seal and where gas leakage cannot be tolerated. The Iso-sleeve cartridge seal creates a
liquid film seal by injecting oil between stationary bushings at a pressure higher than the process pressure.
A thermoplastic rub-tolerant labyrinth seal and a gold babbitt coating on the breakdown bushings provide
improved resistance to harsh sulfides and chlorides in process gases. The Iso-sleeve cartridge seal offers:

Preassembly and protection during storage

Cartridge assembly for reduced installation time
Installation and maintenance without removing the
bundle and the rotor of a barrel compressor
Tungsten carbide coating on the rotor sleeve to
minimize wear
Rub-tolerant thermoplastic inboard labyrinth seal for
increased chemical resistance and reduced buffer
gas consumption
A buffer gas connection for applications that require
complete separation of process gas and seal oil

Iso-sleeve cartridge seals are used in applications

with sealing pressures up to 4,200 psig.

Oil distributor Labyrinth seal

supplies oil to the seal reduces gas
Retainer ring leakage
locks cartridge O-ring
assembly together Breakdown seal reduces oil
increases the seal leakage
length to prevent oil
from being discharged
under pressure

Wave spring with

anti-rotating pin
Base ring assembly provides axial
pressure against
holds seal components stationary
together components
Iso-sleeve
prevents oil leakage Breakdown Gas seal ring
about the shaft seal key
separates
locks the breakdown contaminated oil
seal in place

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 Dry Gas Seals
Dry gas seals are non-contact, dry running mechanical face seals that use a sealing gas to create a barrier
between the process gas and the atmosphere. They have less mechanical loss than oil seals, improving
efficiency. With no contacting surfaces, dry gas seals are extremely reliable, reducing downtime and
unplanned maintenance expenses. Dry gas seals do not require a seal oil system, eliminating both the adverse
environmental impact of contaminated oil and the maintenance costs associated with oil seals. Compared to oil
seals, Elliott dry gas seals offer several benefits:
Reduced process gas leakage
Less complex support systems
Increased reliability with fewer shutdowns and reduced
maintenance
Greater efficiency as a result of less mechanical loss
Reduced contamination of process gas and bearing oil
Environmental benefit of no contaminated seal oil

Dry Gas Seal Configurations

Dry gas seal assemblies are available in single, double-opposed, and tandem configurations to suit all
applications. The single seal arrangement is used for moderate pressure applications, where small amounts
of inert, non-toxic, or non-flammable process gas leakage into the atmosphere do not present a problem. The
single seal configuration is seldom used in oil and gas applications. Double opposed seals are used primarily
in toxic or hazardous gas applications, or to protect the process gas from outside contaminates if the suction
pressure is below atmospheric pressure. An inert buffer gas is maintained at a higher pressure than the sealed
process gas, resulting in leakage toward the process gas and preventing process gas from escaping to the
atmosphere.

The tandem seal configuration is the most common in the oil and gas industry. Primary and secondary seal
modules are oriented in the same direction, with or without an integrated intermediate labyrinth seal. The primary
seal (process gas side) handles the full pressure drop, and the secondary seal (atmosphere side) serves as a
back-up and as an additional barrier between the process gas and atmosphere. The benefits of the tandem seal
configuration include:
Prevents process gas from entering the secondary seal, allowing it to vent to atmosphere
Directs cooling gas to secondary seal faces, which typically run hotter than the primary seal

Dry Gas Seals

Configuration Application Sealing Pressure
Double opposed seal Low pressure, hazardous gas < 250 psig
Single seal Low pressure < 400 psig
Tandem seal Most popular, multiple arrangements < 1,200 psig
Single seal, high pressure* High pressure applications <1,800 psig
Tandem seal, high pressure Higher pressure applications <2,900 psig
* Seal design and component materials can be tailored to specific higher pressure applications or corrosive processes.

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 Dry Gas Buffer Systems
Dry gas seals require a buffer gas system to supply a sealing gas between the mechanical face seals. Elliott
dry gas buffer systems consist of a primary and separation gas supply to ensure that the gas face seals have
a sufficient amount of filtered gas at all operating points. These systems support an ideal sealing environment
to maintain optimum performance of the gas face seals. Elliott dry gas buffer systems are designed to API 614
standards.

Booster Packages
Gas booster packages provide a
positive flow of clean, dry gas to the
seal during periods of low differential
pressure across the compressor.
A booster package provides a
small amount of gas flow when the
compressor is in a static, settled-
out condition or at initial startup or
shutdown when the pressurized
gas within the compressor must be
contained. Elliott booster packages
are typically used in wet gas and
natural gas applications to help
eliminate process contamination, the
leading cause of dry gas seal failures.
The benefits of Elliott gas booster
packages include:
No power source required
Robust standard system based on
proven Elliott designs
Piston-type positive displacement
pump for ease of maintenance

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 Global Service
Comprehensive Quality Service
With a century of turbomachinery experience
and a tradition of excellence, Elliott Group offers
comprehensive service and support for all types
of rotating equipment. Customers everywhere turn
to Elliott because our resources are global and our
response is local.

Elliott Engineered Solutions

Elliott Engineered Solutions has one focus to help
customers obtain the highest value from their critical
rotating equipment. Elliott Engineered Solutions
specializes in the following areas:
The modification and rerate of turbomachinery
to increase the operational life and value of your
investment
Onsite audits of rotating equipment to evaluate
efficiency, determine potential reliability
improvements, and maximize the performance and
minimize the downtime of existing equipment
Comprehensive analytical studies such as lateral
and torsional rotor analysis, root-cause failure
analysis, mechanical evaluation analysis, finite
element analysis (FEA), and aerodynamic analysis
Reverse engineering of rotating equipment from
any manufacturer

Repair Centers
Elliotts global network of 22 full-service repair
centers provides a complete range of service for
Elliott and non-Elliott rotating equipment, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Our service teams include
experienced, dedicated engineers, metallurgists,
technicians, welders, machinists, and mechanics.
Standard service procedures include:
Repair and remanufacture of all rotating and
stationary components, including blades,
impellers, diaphragms, shafts, seals, and bearings
Weld repair, including sub arc, TIG, MIG, flux core,
and stick
Machine overhauls
Rotor balance & storage

Field Service
Elliott Field Service is recognized worldwide for its
technical expertise and hands-on experience with
turbomachinery of all types and manufacturers.
Elliott Field Service crews overhaul, repair and
upgrade turbomachinery at customer sites in every
region of the world with an excellent record of safety
and on-time performance.

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 Elliott Group is a global leader in the de-
sign, manufacture and service of tech-
nically advanced centrifugal compres-
sors, steam turbines, power recover
expanders and axial compressors used
in the petrochemical, refining, oil & gas
and process industries, as well as in
power applications. Elliott Group is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Ebara Cor-
poration, a major industrial conglomer-
ate headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

901 North Fourth Street

Jeannette, PA 15644-1473
Telephone: 724-527-2811
Fax: 724-600-8442
Email: info@elliott-turbo.com
www.elliott-turbo.com

2014 Elliott Group SVS.4054.1014