SOUR OIL LEAK FROM COMPRESSOR

[P.K.P]

WE HAVE A STEAM TURBINE DRIVEN MULTI STAGE CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR WITH PRESSURIZED SEAL OIL SYSTEM.(THE SEAL HAVING 3 PARTS,INNER,INTERMEDIATE AND OUTER SEALS,THE OIL PRESSURE 2500 PSI). AND THE COMPRESSOR IS RUNNING WITH A SOUR OIL LEAK OF 1.5 BARREL PER DAY UNTIL 18TH MATCH FROM LAST 3 MONTHS (LEAKAGE FROM INBOARD SIDE - COUPLING SIDE SEAL ..THE OTHER IS NORMAL) .ACTUALLY IT WAS OVERHAULED ALMOST 1 YEAR BACK . 19TH OF MARCH 17 , FOR VIBRATION ANALYSIS THE AUXILIARY SEAL OIL PUMP STARTED WITH (MOTOR DRIVEN) THE RUNNING MAIL OIL PUMP(TURBINE DRIVEN)-(BOTH SCREW PUMP).FROM THE DAY ONWARD THE SOUR OIL LEAK INCREASED TO 4.5 BARRELS PER DAY -(ONE BARREL ALMOST 205 LTS). I HAVE BEEN NOTICED THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING WHILE STARTING THE AUXILIARY SEAL OIL PUMP WITH MAIL SEAL OIL PUMP 2-3 TIMES..(THE COMPRESSOR IS HAVING SEPARATE LUBE OIL SYSTEM) ..MY QUESTION IS WHAT MAY BE THE REASONS FOR INCREASING THE SOUR OIL LEAK AFTER RUNNING BOTH PUMP TOGETHER?? CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO FIND THE EXACT SOLUTION .. WAITING FOR VALUABLE REPLIES...

 

[JJPellin]

What is the seal type? Based on your limited description, I would guess iso-sleeve type. What is the compressor services? What is the running speed? How us the seal oil pressure controlled? Without additional details, it will be difficult to provide meaningful answers.

Johnny Pellin