Shaft sealing system and method with seal oil recuperator system

摘要

A system and method for sealing a shaft disposed for rotation within a casing, where two axially-spaced seal rings of an oil film seal extend around the shaft and define a clearance therebetween. Oil is pumped into the clearance from an oil reservoir and a portion of the oil is received in an annular port defined in the casing between an outer labyrinth seal and one of the axially-spaced seal rings. The oil mixes with a process gas to for an oil and gas mixture. A blower is in fluid communication with the annular port and circulates the oil and gas mixture to a trap where the oil is separated from the process gas and a separated process gas is returned back to the annular port.

主权项

1. A shaft sealing system for a rotating machine, comprising:
an outer seal ring axially-spaced from an inner seal ring along a shaft arranged for rotation in a casing of the rotating machine, the outer and inner seal rings being radially-offset from an outer surface of the shaft to define a clearance between the seals and the shaft; an oil reservoir and a pump configured to introduce oil from the oil reservoir to the clearance; an annular port defined in the casing between the inner seal ring and an outer labyrinth seal, the annular port being adapted to receive a portion of the oil introduced to the clearance, which mixes with process gas to generate an oil and gas mixture; and a blower configured to circulate the oil and gas mixture from the annular port to a trap, and return a separated process gas back to the annular port.