Design and application of a device for testing the performance of dry-gas-seal filter cartridges in compressors

At present, devices for testing the high-pressure performance of filter cartridges are absent in China. In this paper, therefore, a device which is used to test the performance of dry-gas-seal filter cartridges in compressors was developed. It was used to evaluate the performance of dry-gas-seal filter cartridges in the real working conditions with high pressure. Finally, the particle matters in the gas source of dry-gas-seal system were analyzed in terms of particle size and concentration. The test results show that the initial pressure drop curves obtained in the laboratory are obviously different from that in field conditions, even though the same filter cartridges are used. The pressure drop curves obtained in field conditions are in the form of parabola. During the test, the particle sizes of particle matters in the gas source of dry-gas-seal system are in the range of 0.3-2.0 μm, and the concentration ranges from 0.01 mg/m3 to 0.03 mg/m3. The gas quality is in accordance with the feed gas requirements of the dry gas seal system. The tested homemade filter cartridges can work properly at high pressure. And the test results can also provide data support for the design and localization of filter cartridges.