Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals

Standard Unidirectional Groove Design

Product Description
Type 28 compressor dry-running gas seals have been the
industry standard since the 1970s for gas-handling
turbomachinery. Utilizing John Crane's patented spiral
groove pattern, these seals are non-contacting in operation.

During dynamic operation, the mating ring/seat and

primary ring/face maintain a sealing gap of approximately
0.0002 in./5 microns, thereby eliminating wear

These seals eliminate seal oil contamination and reduce

maintenance costs and downtime

Single, double opposed, and tandem cartridge seals are

capable of handling a wide variety of gas sealing
applications in the gas collection/transmission, refining,
chemical and petrochemical processing industries

Optional Bidirectional Groove Design

Design Features

Shrouded mating ring prevents secondary damage in the

event of a mating ring fracture

Low-level leakage can be vented to a safe area, used as

fuel to drive equipment, or returned to process via a
low-pressure ejector

Performance Capabilities

Temperature:

-140C to 315C/-220F to 600F

Pressure:

Up to 450 BARG/6,500 PSIG across

single stage

Speed:

Up to 200 m/s / 660 fps

Shaft:

Up to 350 mm/13.75 in

*Contact DryGasSeals@johncrane.com for more information about exact application requirements.

TYPE 28AT/28XP/28EXP

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

Seal (or Process) Gas

Labyrinth

SEAL (OR PROCESS)

GAS

Outlet for 1st STAGE

Leakage and
Buffer Gas

PRIMARY RING

1st STAGE

MATING RING

Inlet for Filtered

Seal (or Process) Gas

Type 28AT Tandem Arrangement

Inlet for Buffer
Gas (Optional)

Outlet for 2nd STAGE

Leakage and
Separation Gas

Separation Seal contact John Crane

for options

BEARING
CAVITY

O-Ring Secondary Seal

Separation Gas
Supply

*Typical Application pressures up to 1,800 psig/125 bar g

PRIMARY RING

2nd STAGE
MATING RING

Interstage Labyrinth

Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

28AT/28XP/28EXP

Seal (or Process) Gas

Labyrinth

SEAL (OR
PROCESS)
GAS

Inlet for Filtered

Seal (or Process) Gas

MATING RING

PRIMARY RING

1st STAGE

Outlet for 1st STAGE

Leakage and
Buffer Gas

Type 28XP Tandem Arrangement

Inlet for Buffer

Gas (Optional)

MATING RING

Outlet for 2nd STAGE

Leakage and
Separation Gas

Polymer Secondary Seal

Separation Seal
- contact John Crane
for options

BEARING
CAVITY

Separation Gas
Supply

*Typical Application pressures up to 3,000 psig/200 bar g

PRIMARY RING

2nd STAGE

Interstage Labyrinth

Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

28AT/28XP/28EXP

Seal (or Process) Gas

Labyrinth

SEAL (OR
PROCESS)
GAS

Outlet for 1st STAGE

Leakage and
Buffer Gas

PRIMARY RING

1st STAGE

MATING RING

Inlet for Filtered

Seal (or Process) Gas

Type 28EXP Tandem Arrangement

Inlet for Buffer

Gas (Optional)

MATING RING

Separation Seal
- contact John Crane
for options

BEARING
CAVITY

Advanced Polymer Secondary Seal

Outlet for 2nd STAGE Separation Gas

Leakage and
Supply
Separation Gas

*Typical Application pressures up to 6,500 psig/450 bar g

PRIMARY RING

2nd STAGE

Interstage Labyrinth

Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

28AT/28XP/28EXP

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals
S i ze a n d S p eed Effect on Leakage

125

15000 RPM

10000 RPM

Leakage (sl/min)

Leakage (SCFM)

Conditions: Air, 83 BARG/1,200 PSIG

5
100

75

50

5000 RPM
1

25
0

0
2.187

3.187

50

4.187

5.187

6.125

100

7.125

150

8.125

9.125

200

(inches)

10.125

(mm)

250

Seal Size

P r e s s u r e , Te m perature and G as Effec t on Leak age

Conditions: 6.187-inch Diameter Seal, 14,000 rpm
5
4

100

75

50

25

0
0

200

400
20

600

800

40

1,000
60

Leakage (sl/min)

Leakage (SCFM)

125

Hydrogen, 38/100F
Methane, 38/100F
Air, 38/100F
Air, 150/300F

1,200 (PSIG)
80

(BARG)

Pressure

Gas Seal Power Consumption

10000 rpm;
69 BARG/1.000 PSIG.

6.0

5.0

4.0
3.0

2.0

Power (HP)

Power (KW)

Conditions: Air, 140F/60

5

10000 rpm;
7 BARG/100 PSIG
5000 rpm;
7 BARG/100 PSIG

1.0

0
2.187
50

3.187

4.187
100

5.187

6.125
150

7.125

8.125
200

9.125

0
10.125 (inches)
250

()

Seal Size
*This information should not be used for specification purposes. Contact DryGasSeals@johncrane.com for more information about exact application requirements.

TYPE 28 Compressor Seals

Dry-Running, Non-Contacting Gas Seals
Typical Single Seal Arrangement and Seal Support System
VENT

VENT

JOHN CRANE
GAS SEALS

*Single Seal Arrangement for applications not requiring a safety back-up seal.

Typical Double Opposed Seal Arrangement and Seal Support System

VENT

EXTERNAL SUPPLY

VENT

JOHN CRANE
GAS SEALS

*Double Seal Arrangement where hazardous gas is not permissible to leak into atmosphere.

Typical Tandem Seal Arrangement and Seal Support System

VENT

APPROVED
VENT

APPROVED
VENT

VENT

JOHN CRANE
GAS SEALS

*Tandem Seal Arrangement for applications requiring a safety back-up seal.

For your nearest John Crane facility, please contact one of the locations below.
North America
Global Headquarters
Morton Grove, IL USA
1-800-SEALING
Tel: +1-847-967-2400
Fax: +1-847-967-3915

Europe
Slough, UK

Latin America
So Paulo, Brazil

Middle East & Africa

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Asia Pacific
Singapore

Tel: +44-1753-224000
Fax: +44-1753-224224

Tel: +55-11-3371-2500
Fax: +55-11-3371-2599

Tel: +971-481-27800
Fax: +971-488-62830

Tel: +65-6518-1800
Fax: +65-6518-1803

If the products featured will be used in a potentially dangerous and/or hazardous process, your John Crane representative should be consulted prior
to their selection and use. In the interest of continuous development, John Crane Companies reserve the right to alter designs and specifications
without prior notice. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Certified. Details available on request.
2011 John Crane

Print 05/11

Revised 05/11

www.johncrane.com

S-28AT/XP/EXP/Eng