(19)

&
(11) EP 1 418 341 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: F04D 29/04 (2006.01)
20.02.2008 Bulletin 2008/08

(21) Application number: 03257006.1

(22) Date of filing: 05.11.2003

(54) Axial thrust balancing system for a centrifugal compressor, having improved safety
characteristics
Axialschubausgleichseinrichtung mit verbesserten Sicherheitsmerkmalen für Kreiselverdichter
Dispositif de compensation de la poussée axiale dans un compresseur centrifuge, avec caractéristiques
de sécurité améliorée

(84) Designated Contracting States: (74) Representative: Bedford, Grant Richard

DE FR GB NL SE London Patent Operation
GE International Inc
(30) Priority: 05.11.2002 IT mi20022337 15 John Adam Street
London WC2N 6LU (GB)
(43) Date of publication of application:
12.05.2004 Bulletin 2004/20 (56) References cited:
EP-A- 0 550 801 US-A- 3 105 632
(73) Proprietor: Nuovo Pignone Holding S.P.A. US-A- 4 715 778
50127 Florence (IT)
• PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 477
(72) Inventors: (M-885), 27 October 1989 (1989-10-27) & JP 01
• Baldassarre, Leonardo 187395 A (MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD), 26 July
50127 Florence (IT) 1989 (1989-07-26)
• Betti, Davide • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 012, no. 137
51011 Borgo a. Buggiano (Pistoia) (IT) (M-690), 26 April 1988 (1988-04-26) -& JP 62
• Fusi, Leonardo 258195 A (HITACHI LTD), 10 November 1987
50025 Montespertoli (Florence) (IT) (1987-11-10)
EP 1 418 341 B1

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 1 418 341 B1
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an axial thrust
balancing system for a centrifugal compressor, having
improved safety characteristics.
[0002] In general terms, a centrifugal compressor is a
machine which imparts to a compressible fluid a pressure
greater than the intake pressure and which transfers the
energy required for this pressure increase to the fluid
itself, by means of one or more impellers or rotors ar-
ranged in series, having radial blades and driven at high
speed by a motor connected to the compressor shaft by
means of a coupling.
[0003] Typically, centrifugal compressors are used for
a great variety of applications where high flow rates are
required at medium to low pressures, for example in re-
frigeration systems, in the petrochemical industry, for ex-
ample ethylene and catalytic cracking plants, and CO2
compression units in urea plants, in the power industry,
in liquid propane gas and oxygen plants, for instance,
and in units for pressurizing gas pipelines and returning
them to operation. The installed power is generally high.
[0004] In a centrifugal compressor, a pressure differ-
ential is generated in the axial direction between the var-
ious stages, and it is therefore necessary to fit a system
of seals between the rotor and stator of each stage on
the compressor rotor shaft, thus minimizing the phenom-
enon of backflow of the compressed fluid to the preceding
stages, in order to maintain a suitable level of compres-
sion efficiency.
[0005] The increase of pressure in the downstream di-
rection causes radial and axial forces to be generated in
the rotor body owing to the presence of inevitable tem-
poral irregularities of the whole system, and these forces
must be balanced both statically and dynamically.
[0006] One of the characteristics that is most common-
ly required in rotors of centrifugal compressors, and of
any rotating machines operating at high speed and with
fluids at high pressure, is dimensional stability, even in
the presence of operating fluctuations due to the tempo-
ral irregularities of the upstream or downstream flow or
of the density or pressure of the actual gas being com-
pressed.
[0007] Owing to the pressure increases imparted to
the fluid progressively by the various component stages
of the compressor, considerable axial forces are gener-
ated and act on the shaft of the machine. The resultant
of these forces is usually so great that it cannot be bal-
anced with a simple axial thrust bearing (regardless of
the type).
[0008] In order to limit these axial forces, it is common
practice to fit a balancing drum downstream of the final
stage. Since the area downstream of the drum is con-
nected via the balancing line to the machine intake, the
drum is subjected to a pressure differential approximately
equal to that developed by the whole machine. The cor-
responding force acting on the drum is therefore directed
from the delivery towards the intake (for the sake of sim-
2
plicity, we refer here to a machine with in-line stages)
and therefore opposes the forces acting on the individual
impellers.
[0009] By specifying a suitable drum diameter, the un-
5 balanced thrust (which must be balanced by the axial
bearing) can be reduced to the desired value. Normally,
the value of this residual force is specified in such a way
that the load is always applied in the same direction in
all operating conditions, so that inversion of the load and
10 consequent axial displacement of the rotor never occurs
in any conditions.
[0010] The pressure differential acting on the two faces
of the drum also causes a migration of gas from the side
at higher pressure to the side at lower pressure.
15 [0011] In order to minimize this flow, it is common prac-
tice to fit a seal, the form of which may vary according to
the type of application, at the position of the drum.
[0012] When this is done, the ends of the compressor
will be at a common pressure, equal to the intake pres-
20 sure of the machine.
[0013] Seals are normally fitted to block the flow of gas
from the ends of the compressor to the external environ-
ment which is usually at atmospheric pressure.
[0014] Until recent times, these seals were of the oil
25 type in the great majority of cases.
[0015] Over the last ten years there has been a con-
siderable development of mechanical gas seals, such
that current standards specify the use of this type of seal,
except in certain rare cases.
30 [0016] It is known that the sealing efficiency of me-
chanical gas seals is very high and that leakage is very
low.
[0017] The knowledge that the sealing efficiency of a
gas seal is considerably greater than that of a conven-
35 tional labyrinth or honeycomb seal has given rise to the
idea of eliminating the leakage path formed by the bal-
ancing line of the compensating drum and thus relying
solely on the end seal to provide the necessary sealing.
[0018] This solution has therefore been adopted in the
40 art and the gas seal on the delivery end of a compressor
has accordingly been given the additional function of bal-
ancing the axial thrust.
[0019] However, the elimination of the compensating
drum gives rise to a number of difficulties.
45 [0020] The most significant aspects are those relating
to safety: if there is a rupture in the gas sealing system,
there will no longer be any element balancing the axial
thrust, and this will have serious consequences for the
compressor.
50 [0021] Patent Abstracts of Japan Vol. 13, no. 477
(M885), 27 October 1989 and JP 01 187395 describes
an oil-less compressor for improving balance accuracy.
[0022] EP 0 550 801 describes a turbo compressor
and a method for control thereof.
55 [0023] Patent Abstracts of Japan Vol. 12, no. 137
(M690), 26 April 1988 and JP 62 258195 describes a
shaft sealing device for a turbo compressor.
[0024] The object of the present invention is therefore
2
 3 EP 1 418 341 B1
to overcome the aforementioned difficulties, particularly
that of providing an axial thrust balancing system for a
centrifugal compressor, having improved safety charac-
teristics.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
vide an axial thrust balancing system for a centrifugal
compressor, having improved safety characteristics,
which has the flexibility to meet the requirements of the
various applications of the centrifugal compressor, in or-
der to optimize efficiency at all times.
[0026] A further object of the present invention is to
provide an axial thrust balancing system for a centrifugal
compressor, having improved safety characteristics,
which is particularly reliable, simple and functional, and
relatively inexpensive.
[0027] A final object is to provide a fully reversible sys-
tem, in other words one which makes it possible, by
means of simple modifications, to return rapidly to the
conventional compressor configuration (in which the de-
livery end gas seal is not used to balance the thrust). To
express this concept in another way, this characteristic
of flexibility must enable the present solution to be applied
easily to machines already produced in the conventional
configuration, in order to improve their performance.
[0028] These and other objects of the present inven-
tion are achieved by making an axial thrust balancing
system for a centrifugal compressor, having improved
safety characteristics, as described in Claim 1.
[0029] Further characteristics of the axial thrust bal-
ancing system for a centrifugal compressor, having im-
proved safety characteristics, are specified in the subse-
quent claims.
[0030] The characteristics and advantages of an axial
thrust balancing system for a centrifugal compressor,
having improved safety characteristics, according to the
present invention are made clearer and more evident by
the following description, provided by way of example
and without restrictive intent, with reference to the at-
tached schematic drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a diagram of an axial thrust balancing
system for a centrifugal compressor, having im-
proved safety characteristics according to the
present invention.
[0031] With reference to Figure 1, this shows an axial
thrust balancing system, having improved safety charac-
teristics and indicated as a whole by 10, for a centrifugal
compressor 12.
[0032] The centrifugal compressor 12 comprises a ro-
tor 14, in other words a rotating component, having im-
pellers 16 adjacent to each other and connected by a
shaft 18, which rotates in a stator 20, in other words a
fixed component.
[0033] The centrifugal compressor 12 also includes a
balancing piston or compensating drum 22 according to
the prior art.
[0034] More precisely, the balancing piston 22 is keyed
4
on the shaft 18 of the compressor 12, downstream of the
final compression stage. A balancing line 24, to ensure
the correct operation of the said balancing piston 22, is
provided between an intake of the first compression
5 stage and an area downstream of the balancing piston
22, according to the known art.
[0035] An intake mechanical gas seal 26 is provided
around the shaft 18 upstream of the first compression
stage; an outlet mechanical gas seal 28 is provided down-
10 stream of the balancing piston 22.
[0036] The two mechanical gas seals 26 and 28 are
refilled with gas through a supply line 30.
[0037] In the embodiment according to the present in-
vention, the axial thrust balancing system 10 includes
15 the balancing piston 22, with its balancing line 24, and
also the mechanical gas seals 26 and 28, with their supply
line 30. More precisely, the balancing line 24 can be shut
off by means of blocking elements 32, such as a shut-off
valve.
20 [0038] The operation of the axial thrust balancing sys-
tem 10 for a centrifugal compressor 12 according to the
invention is clear from the above description provided
with reference to Figure 1, and can be summarized as
follows.
25 [0039] The blocking elements 32 are operated to shut
off the balancing line 24 of the compensating drum 22.
This makes the mechanical seals 26 and 28 solely re-
sponsible for the sealing function.
[0040] In particular, the outlet mechanical gas seal 28,
30 located at the delivery end of the compressor 12, has the
additional function of balancing the axial thrust.
[0041] The diameter of the delivery end gas seal must
therefore be made larger than that of the intake end seal,
to enable the resulting axial thrust to be balanced.
35 [0042] If this is done, at least the following advantages
will be obtained:
- The possibility of returning easily to the balancing
configuration provided by the balancing piston 22,
40 by bringing the balancing line 24 back into operation
and replacing the outlet gas seal 28 with one having
a diameter equal to that of the intake seal 26, which
is at the intake pressure of the centrifugal compres-
sor 12.
45
- The assurance of greater safety if there is a rupture
in the system of mechanical gas seals 26 and 28;
this is because the presence of the compensating
drum 22 and its seal (even if made with greater clear-
50 ance in order to prevent overheating), although it
may not make any contribution in normal operating
conditions (leakage to the exterior is practically ze-
ro), will cause a pressure differential to be created
between the two sides of the said compensating
55 drum 22 if the primary ring of the gas seal 26 or 28
is ruptured, since the leakage will increase consid-
erably. Thus the compensating drum 22 will return
to its normal function of balancing the aerodynamic
3
 5 EP 1 418 341 B1
thrust generated by the impellers 16 (even if this is
partial because of the increased clearance of the
seal). It should be noted that, owing to the presence
of the compensating drum 22, it is necessary to use
at the delivery end a gas seal 28 having a diameter
markedly greater than that which it would have had
if the compensating drum 22 had been removed.
- The possibility of implementing the solution accord-
ing to the present invention even in existing ma-
chines: clearly, the fact that the architecture of the
machine does not change when moving from one
configuration to the other (the gas seal 28 and the
compensating drum 22 are present at the delivery
end in both cases) makes it possible to implement
this solution in existing machines in such a way as
to improve the thermodynamic performance.
[0043] During starting with the centrifugal compressor
12 pressurized, the difference in diameter between the
two gas seals 26 and 28 causes the generation of an
axial thrust equal to the product of the relative internal
pressure of the compressor 12 and the difference be-
tween the area of the delivery gas seal 28 and that of the
intake gas seal 26 at the intake end. Clearly the starting
thrust becomes greater as the difference between the
diameters of the two gas seals 26 and 28 increases.
[0044] The axial thrust causes the appearance of a
frictional torque on the thrust bearing of the shaft 18 (in
the case of lubricated bearings): this torque increases
with the axial thrust.
[0045] To enable the centrifugal compressor 12 to be
started, it may be necessary to use a direct-lubrication
thrust bearing of what is known as the "jack in oil" type.
[0046] Another aspect of considerable importance for
the correct operation of the axial thrust balancing system
10 for a centrifugal compressor 12 according to the
present invention relates to the supply system for the gas
seals 26 and 28.
[0047] This is because, as is known, a mechanical gas
seal requires, for correct operation, a supply system
which refills the said seal with clean fresh gas, in order
to remove the heat generated between the rings of the
seal.
[0048] In the present application, the gas seal 28 clear-
ly operates with a pressure on the primary ring equal to
the delivery pressure of the compressor 12.
[0049] In applications of the compressor 12 such as
those requiring high pressure (reinjection, for example),
where the use of the axial thrust balancing system 10 for
a centrifugal compressor 12 according to the invention
is particularly advantageous because of the considerable
leakage at the balancing drum 22, the delivery end gas
seal 28 requires a supply of gas at high pressure. Such
gas is not always easily available in an industrial plant.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the axial thrust
balancing system 10 for a centrifugal compressor 12 ac-
cording to the present invention, the supply line 30 takes
6
the gas from the delivery end of the diffuser of the final
compression stage of the centrifugal compressor 12 (im-
mediately upstream of the scroll) and sends it, through
pipes external to the compressor 12 itself, to a high pres-
5 sure filter; it then returns it to the interior of the compressor
12 at the positions of the end labyrinth seals of the com-
pressor 12 (at the primary rings of the gas seals 26 and
28).
[0051] In practice, the supply line 30 is enabled to op-
10 erate correctly because of the following circumstances.
[0052] In the first place, the gas is taken off at the de-
livery end of the diffuser (before entering the scroll), and
therefore its pressure is greater than that of the delivery
flange of the compressor 12.
15 [0053] Furthermore, the pressure at the primary ring
of the gas seal 28 at the delivery end is less than the
delivery pressure of the final impeller 16 because of the
secondary effect present on the rear of the said final im-
peller 16.
20 [0054] Because of the tangential velocity component
of the gas in the space between the rotor and stator at
the rear of the final impeller 16 (the pressure gradient
depends on the density of the gas and the square of the
tangential velocity), a pressure differential is created be-
25 tween the delivery end of the final impeller 16 and the
balancing drum 22.
[0055] If we disregard the pressure drop across the
seal of the compensating drum 22, which has an in-
creased clearance, the aforesaid pressure differential is
30 also the pressure differential between the primary ring of
the gas seal 28 and the delivery end of the impeller 16
of the final stage.
[0056] In high pressure applications (above 300 bar)
this pressure differential is of the order of 5 to 6 bar.
35 [0057] Any uncertainties in the calculation of the pres-
sures and consequently in the specification of the diam-
eters of the mechanical gas seals 26 and 28 can be com-
pensated for subsequently by appropriate pressurization
of the primary ring of the gas seal 28 at the delivery end
40 or that of the seal 26 at the intake end.
[0058] In laboratory tests, the axial thrust balancing
system 10 for a centrifugal compressor 12 according to
the present invention was applied successfully to a cen-
trifugal compressor 12 with a low flow coefficient of an
45 old type, whose performance was unsatisfactory. Before
this solution was introduced, the recycling to the balanc-
ing line 24 was as much as 35% of the flange flow rate;
after the introduction of the described modification, the
aforesaid leakage could be eliminated almost completely
50 (giving flow rates of the order of 400-500 sL/min.) and
the required compression power could therefore be re-
duced to approximately 35%.
[0059] It should be noted that the leakage of gas across
the balancing drum can be minimized by shutting off the
55 balancing line. This ultimately makes it possible to in-
crease the efficiency of centrifugal compressors.
[0060] It should be mentioned at this point that the axial
thrust balancing system for a centrifugal compressor ac-
4
 7 EP 1 418 341 B1
cording to the present invention provides a fully reversible
solution; in other words, it is possible to change from
operation with a balancing piston to operation with me-
chanical gas seals.
[0061] The axial thrust balancing system for a centrif-
ugal compressor according to the present invention can
advantageously be used for maintaining and upgrading
existing centrifugal compressors having balancing pis-
tons of the conventional type, since the risks associated
with a solution using mechanical gas seals alone are min-
imized by making it possible to return to a conventional
solution with a balancing piston, simply by replacing a
few components.
[0062] The above description has demonstrated the
characteristics of the axial thrust balancing system for a
centrifugal compressor, having improved safety charac-
teristics according to the present invention, and has dem-
onstrated the corresponding advantages.
Claims
1. Axial thrust balancing system (10) for a centrifugal
compressor (12), having improved safety character-
istics, the said centrifugal compressor (12) compris-
ing a rotor (14) having impellers (16) adjacent to each
other and connected by a shaft (18), the said rotor
(14) rotating in a stator (20), the said centrifugal com-
pressor (12) including a balancing piston (22), a bal-
ancing line (24) being provided between an intake
of a first compression stage and an area downstream
of the balancing piston (22), characterized in that
it comprises an intake mechanical gas seal (26)
around the said shaft (18) upstream of the said first
compression stage and an outlet mechanical gas
seal (28) downstream of the said balancing piston
(22), the said balancing line (24) being closable by
means of blocking elements (32), and wherein a di-
ameter of the outlet mechanical gas seal (28) is larg-
er than a diameter of the inlet mechanical gas seal
(26).
2. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
acterized in that the said mechanical gas seals (26,
28) are refilled with gas from a supply line (30).
3. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
acterized in that the said blocking elements (32)
comprise a shut-off valve.
4. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
acterized in that the said outlet mechanical gas seal
(28) is located at a delivery end of the said compres-
sor (12) and has a function of balancing the said axial
thrust.
5. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
acterized in that a direct-lubrication thrust bearing
8
is used on the said shaft (18) to ensure the starting
of the said centrifugal compressor (12).
6. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
5 acterized in that the said outlet gas seal (28) oper-
ates with a pressure on a primary ring equal to the
delivery pressure of the said compressor (12).
7. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
10 acterized in that, in high-pressure applications of
the said centrifugal compressor (12), the said outlet
mechanical gas seal (28) is refilled with a supply of
gas at high pressure.
15 8. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 7, char-
acterized in that the said supply line (30) takes the
gas from the delivery end of a diffuser of the final
compression stage of the said centrifugal compres-
sor (12), immediately upstream of a scroll, and,
20 through pipes external to the said centrifugal com-
pressor (12), sends it to a high-pressure filter.
9. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 8, char-
acterized in that the said gas, taken from the said
25 delivery end of the said diffuser of the said centrifugal
compressor (12), is returned into the said centrifugal
compressor (12) at the positions of end labyrinth
seals of the said centrifugal compressor (12), at the
positions of primary rings of the said mechanical gas
30 seals (26, 28).
10. Balancing system (10) according to Claim 1, char-
acterized in that uncertainties in the calculation of
the pressures and in the specification of the diame-
35 ters of the said mechanical gas seals (26, 28) can
be compensated for by appropriate pressurization
of the primary ring of the said outlet mechanical gas
seal (28) and/or that of the said intake mechanical
gas seal (26).
40
Patentansprüche
1. Axialschub-Ausgleichssystem (10) für einen Kreisel-
45 verdichter (12) mit verbesserten Sicherheitseigen-
schaften, wobei der Kreiselverdichter (12) einen Ro-
tor (14) mit zueinander benachbarten und durch eine
Welle (18) verbundenen Flügelrädern (16) aufweist,
wobei der Rotor (14) in einem Stator (20) rotiert, der
50 Kreiselverdichter (12) einen Ausgleichskolben (22)
enthält, eine Ausgleichsleitung (24) zwischen einem
Einlass einer ersten Kompressionsstufe und einem
Bereich stromabwärts von dem Ausgleichskolben
(22) vorgesehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
55 dass es eine mechanische Gasdichtung (26) am
Einlass um die Wellen (18) herum stromaufwärts vor
der ersten Kompressionsstufe und eine mechani-
sche Gasdichtung (28) am Auslass stromabwärts
5
 9 EP 1 418 341 B1
nach dem Ausgleichskolben (22) aufweist, wobei die
Ausgleichsleitung (24) mittels Blockierungselemen-
ten (32) verschließbar ist, und wobei ein Durchmes-
ser der mechanischen Gasdichtung (28) am Auslass
größer als ein Durchmesser der mechanischen Gas-
dichtung (26) am Einlass ist.
2. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die mechanischen Gasdich-
tungen (26, 28) mit Gas aus einer Versorgungslei-
tung (30) nachgefüllt werden.
3. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die Blockierungselemente
(32) ein Absperrventil aufweisen.
4. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die mechanische Gasdich-
tung (28) am Auslass an einem Auslassende des
Kompressors (12) angeordnet ist, und die Funktion
eines Ausgleichs des axialen Schubs hat.
5. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, das ein Direktschmierungs-
Drucklager auf der Welle (18) verwendet wird, um
den Start des Kreiselverdichters (12) sicherzustel-
len.
6. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die Auslassgasdichtung
(28) mit einem Druck auf einen primären Ring gleich
dem Ausgabedruck des Verdichters (12) arbeitet.
7. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass in Hochdruckanwendungen
des Kreiselverdichters (12) die mechanische Gas-
dichtung (28) am Auslass mit einer Zuführung von
Gas mit hohem Druck nachgefüllt wird.
8. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 7, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführungsleitung (30)
das Gas aus dem Auslassende eines Diffusors der
letzten Verdichtungsstufe des Kreiselverdichters
(12) unmittelbar stromaufwärts von einer Spirale ent-
nimmt, und über Rohre außerhalb des Kreiselver-
dichters (12) zu einem Hochdruckfilter sendet.
9. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 8, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass das aus dem Auslassende
des Kreiselverdichters (12) entnommene Gas in den
Kreiselverdichter (12) an den Positionen von Endla-
byrinthdichtungen des Kreiselverdichters (12) an
den Positionen der primären Ringe der mechani-
schen Gasdichtungen (26, 28) zurückgeführt wird.
10. Ausgleichssystem (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass Unsicherheiten in der Be-
rechnung der Drücke und in der Auslegung der
10
Durchmesser der mechanischen Gasdichtungen
(26, 28) durch eine geeignete Druckbeaufschlagung
des primären Rings der mechanischen Gasdichtung
(28) am Auslass und/oder des der mechanischen
5 Einlassgasdichtung (26) am Einlass kompensiert
werden können.
Revendications
10
1. Système d’équilibrage de poussée axiale (10) pour
compresseur centrifuge (12), ayant des caractéris-
tiques de sécurité améliorées, ledit compresseur
centrifuge (12) comprenant un rotor (14) ayant des
15 roues (16) adjacentes les unes aux autres et reliées
par un arbre (18), ledit rotor (14) tournant dans un
stator (20), ledit compresseur centrifuge (12) com-
portant un piston d’équilibrage (22), une ligne d’équi-
librage (24) étant prévue entre une entrée d’un pre-
20 mier étage de compression et une section an aval
du piston d’équilibrage (22), caractérisé en ce qu’il
comprend une garniture mécanique d’étanchéité
aux gaz d’entrée (26) autour dudit arbre (18) en
amont dudit premier étage de compression et une
25 garniture mécanique d’étanchéité aux gaz de sortie
(28) en aval dudit piston d’équilibrage (22), ladite
ligne d’équilibrage (24) pouvant être fermée au
moyen d’éléments bloquants (32), et dans lequel un
diamètre de la garniture mécanique d’étanchéité aux
30 gaz de sortie (28) est plus grand qu’un diamètre de
la garniture mécanique d’étanchéité aux gaz d’en-
trée (26).
2. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,
35 caractérisé en ce que lesdites garnitures mécani-
ques d’étanchéité aux gaz (26, 28) sont rechargées
en gaz à partir d’une ligne d’alimentation (30).
3. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,
40 caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments bloquants
(32) comprennent un clapet.
4. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que ladite garniture mécanique
45 d’étanchéité aux gaz de sortie (28) est située à une
extrémité de distribution dudit compresseur (12) et
a une fonction d’équilibrage de ladite poussée axiale.
5. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,
50 caractérisé en ce que l’on emploie un palier de bu-
tée à lubrification directe sur ledit arbre (18) pour
assurer le démarrage dudit compresseur centrifuge
(12).
55 6. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que ladite garniture mécanique
d’étanchéité aux gaz de sortie (28) fonctionne avec
une pression sur une bague primaire égale à la pres-
6
 11 EP 1 418 341 B1 12

sion de distribution dudit compresseur (12).

7. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,

caractérisé en ce que, dans les applications à hau-
te pression dudit compresseur centrifuge (12), ladite 5
garniture mécanique d’étanchéité aux gaz de sortie
(28) est rechargée avec une alimentation en gaz à
haute pression.

8. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 7, 10

caractérisé en ce que ladite ligne d’alimentation
(30) récupère le gaz de l’extrémité de distribution
d’un diffuseur de l’étage de compression final dudit
compresseur centrifuge (12), immédiatement en
amont d’une volute, et, par des tuyaux extérieurs 15
audit compresseur centrifuge (12), l’envoie vers un
filtre à haute pression.

9. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 8,

caractérisé en ce que ledit gaz récupéré à l’extré- 20
mité de distribution dudit diffuseur dudit compres-
seur centrifuge (12), est renvoyé dans ledit compres-
seur centrifuge (12) au niveau des positions de joints
labyrinthes d’extrémité dudit compresseur centrifu-
ge (12), au niveau des positions de bagues primaires 25
desdites garnitures mécaniques d’étanchéité aux
gaz (26, 28).

10. Système d’équilibrage (10) selon la revendication 1,

caractérisé en ce que les incertitudes dans le calcul 30
des pressions et dans la caractéristique des diamè-
tres desdites garnitures mécaniques d’étanchéité
aux gaz (26, 28) peuvent être compensées par une
mise sous pression appropriée de la bague primaire
de ladite garniture mécanique d’étanchéité aux gaz 35
de sortie (28) et/ou celle de ladite garniture mécani-
que d’étanchéité aux gaz d’entrée (26).

40

45

50

55

7
EP 1 418 341 B1

8
 EP 1 418 341 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• JP 1187395 A [0021] • JP 62258195 A [0023]

• EP 0550801 A [0022]

Non-patent literature cited in the description

• PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, 27 October • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, 26 April 1988,

1989, vol. 13, 477 (M885 [0021] vol. 12, 137 (M690 [0023]