Explosions in Gas Turbine Lube Oil Reservoir Result in Installation of Dry Gas Seal System

Abstract

Mechanical dry gas seal systems were retrofitted into two centrifugal natural gas compressors which are located offshore in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The project was initiated after a fire and several gas explosions had occurred in the gas turbine lube oil reservoir. These incidents were a result of gas leaking from the compressor’s seal oil system and then migrating via the lube oil lines into the reservoir. The dry gas seal systems have eliminated gas leakage into the turbine lube oil reservoir, eliminating the hazard of gas explosion. The retrofits have also provided additional benefits including reductions in space and weight, reduced power usage, reduced maintenance, and elimination of seal oil consumption which had been up to 440 gal./day (2000 liters/day).