SEAL OIL SYSTEM

• In large Turbo Generator sets Hydrogen

cooling system is introduced for effective
cooling of the machine
• Now the problem is to maintain the
Hydrogen gas parameters inside the
Generator casing at all regimes
• Hydrogen Seals are provided on both the
sides to overcome this problem
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM
• Basically the function of Hydrogen seal Oil
system is to prevent Hydrogen gas escape from
the Generator casing and also to prevent air
ingress into the Generator
• Here the oil which is used for turbine governing,
lubrication and cooling is used for sealing; As it
is used for sealing purpose it is called as Seal
Oil System
• This forms a thin hydro-dynamic oil film between
the rotor collar and shaft seal which acts as a
Hydrogen seal
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM
• In large Turbo Generator sets viz..210
/250 sets double chamber (Thrust type /
ring type) of shaft seals are used.
• Highest attention is paid to the Seal Oil
system as any problems associated with
seal oil system may lead to Hydrogen
escape and in the worst case even an
explosion.
 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

• During normal operation oil is drawn from the

system (MOP) and diffused in Seal oil injector
to obtain required quantity of oil at adequate
pressure
• Then the oil passes thru the coolers and filters
in order to cool the oil and to filter any solid
impurities
• After passing thru the filter the oil enters the
pressure oil regulator where the oil pressure is
regulated and a constant pressure oil in the
thrust oil chamber
• This pressure oil presses the seal chamber
towards the rotor collar at all regimes
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - PRINCIPLE OF
OPERATION
• Now the oil comes to the Differential Pressure
Regulator. Here the DPR maintains a fixed
differential pressure of 0.6 to 1kg/cm2 between
seal oil and Hydrogen gas
• DPR outlet is connected to the Damper tank
which is at 6mtr height from the Generator
• Seal Oil to the shaft seals (both sides) is supplied
from the Damper tank outlet
• Normally the Damper tank runs full and any fall in
the level is detected by two magnetic level
detectors ( LOW & VERY LOW) the latter is
emergency tripping
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - PRINCIPLE OF
OPERATION
• Majority of the oil in the shaft seals flows towards
air side and mixes with bearing oil
• Oil from the Hydrogen side is carefully drained
and collected in the Hydraulic Seal tank which is
situated in the ‘0’ mtr level
• A ‘500mm U loop is provided in the Turbine side
drain line in order to prevent any cross circulation
of gas from one seal to the other due to possible
difference in the heads developed by fans
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - PRINCIPLE OF
OPERATION
• The damper tank and hydraulic seal are connected by two
separate lines so that any overflow in the Damper tank
comes into the Hydraulic Seal tank.
• Hydraulic seal ensures oil drainage from both the seals
with out allowing escape of Hydrogen gas
• A constant level of oil maintained in the Hydraulic seal
tank by means of a level regulator. The excess oil in the
Hydraulic seal is drained into the main bearing drain
header which in turn is connected to MOT
• Vapour exhaust fans are provided on the header to throw
out any Hydrogen gas that is liberated into atm.
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - ABNORMAL CONDITIONS

• Unit during start up condition

• Unit under shut down condition
• Hydrogen leakage
• Seal oil leakage
• Grid failure
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - ABNORMAL CONDITIONS

• During the start up regimes Hydrogen and Seal

oil system shall be put into service before barring
gear is put into service.
• In the Unit trip condition also Seal oil system shall
be in service and shall be continued until
machine is under barring gear and Hydrogen gas
is in the Generator casing
•
 SEAL OIL SYSTEM - ABNORMAL CONDITIONS
• During Unit is in service Oil is drawn from MOP i.e.
MOP is connected to the HP turbine shaft and
comes into service only when the turbine speed is
above 2800 rpm
• However other than MOP, there are SOP, AC and
DC Seal oil pumps available for using in
emergencies or abnormal conditions
• SOP is a HT motor which can cater all the needs of
governing, lubricating and seal oil system
requirements during start ups
SEAL OIL SYSTEM - ABNORMAL CONDITIONS
• A 15 KW, 415 volts AC Seal oil pump is
available which can cater the needs of Seal
oil system during emergencies i.e. when the
oil pressure comes below certain preset
value AC Seal Oil pump cuts in automatically
• A 26 KW, 220 volts DC Seal oil pump is also
available to cater the needs if the things still
worsen i.e. when the oil pressure reduces
further at a preset value DC seal oil pump
cuts in automatically
• In case of grid failure and also DC supply
failure for some reason or other, AC, DC
nothing is available; still Seal oil runs for
some time(30Min) with the help of oil in the
Damper tank
 OPERATION OF SEAL OIL SYSTEM
THW DESIGN – UNITS 1 AND 2

DAMPER TANK

SHAFT SEAL T/S SHAFT SEAL E/S

MOT

POR DPR

HYDRAULIC SEAL TANK

FILTER

AC
COOLER
DC SEAL OIL
INJECTOR
 OPERATION OF SEAL OIL SYSTEM
THRI DESIGN – UNITS 3,4, 5 AND 6 RING TYPE OF SEALS

SHAFT SEAL T/S SHAFT SEAL E/S

INTERMEDIATE OIL
SEAL OIL TANK
TANK

AC
FR FILTER
DPR COOLER

DC
SEAL BODY

PRESSURE OIL

RETURN OIL

SEAL OIL
 SEAL BODY

• Seal body is made up of cast steel

designed specially to withstand high
pressures and suitable to house a shaft
seal liner in it
• It is in two halves and oil connecting
flanges are fabricated at the bottom half.
SEAL BODY TOP HALF
SEAL OIL INJECTOR
 SEAL LINER ASSEMBLY

SEAL OIL

PRESSURE SILICON
OIL RUBBER CORD

ROTOR
COLLAR
SEAL BODY
 SEAL LINER ASSEMBLY
• Seal liner is made up of babbit metal with its
face having equal annular gaps to facilitate oil to
form a thin hydro-dynamic film
• The pressure oil and seal oil are differentiated in
the seal by means of 10mm silicon rubber cords
• Two numbers RTDs are also connected to top
and bottom halves of the shaft seal for
monitoring the liner temperatures
 SEAL LINER ASSEMBLY

• Apart from thrust type seals Ring type

seals are also in use in THRI type TG sets
• In a typical 500MW set double chamber
double thrust type seals are used in order
to have effective sealing