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Dry gas seals

50 years of dry gas sealing innovations.

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Setting the standard in dry gas seal technology

Approximately 80% of compressor failures are due to seal oil system faults. So when our customers demanded oil-free compressors, we listened, pioneering the development of the non-contacting spiral groove design for dry gas seals.

Spiral groove technology makes all the difference to dry gas seals, and is the foundation of John Crane’s innovation. It has established our position as a global leader in sealing solutions since its development in 1970 and first installation in 1976.

Today, our spiral groove dry gas seal technology is the industry standard for centrifugal compressors, onshore and offshore across oil and gas, power generation and new energy, including hydrogen and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) value chains.

The benefits of our dry gas seals

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Reliability
Ideal for demanding environments across industry.
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Energy efficiency
Reduced friction lowers energy consumption.
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Longer life
Zero contact means minimal wear, minimising seal maintenance.
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Lower emissions
Minimises leakage of harmful gases, for a safer, greener environment.
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John Crane dry gas seals - driving success

Driving the energy transition

John Crane has supplied more than 2,500 dry gas seals for LNG (liquid natural gas) applications around the world.

The global demand for LNG is increasing rapidly. As a crucial bridge fuel, LNG has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions while supporting large-scale hydrogen production.

Since 1991, when John Crane first provided a dry gas seal for this application, we have been at the forefront of the industry.

Today, many of the world’s largest LNG production sites are John Crane dry gas seal customers - and we’re continuing to innovate.

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Supporting hydrogen, CCUS and sustainable fuel reliability

Our dry gas seals support the reliability and sustainability goals of our customers across traditional industries.

They are also designed and engineered for New Energy applications, including hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), sustainable fuels and energy storage.

Read our case studies to learn more about real-world applications.

More about dry gas seals

Inside the compressor: where dry gas seals make the difference

Click on the hotspots of our interactive animation (only viewable on desktop versions of the website) to learn more about our turbomachinery products and how they work.

For single shaft centrifugal compressors, the dry gas seals are located at each end of the compressors, between the bearings and the main compression stages. They are supplied with filtered gas at pressures above the suction pressure of the machine at both ends.

These cartridges control the amount of leakage to the flare system in operation.

Common questions

What is a dry gas seal?

A dry gas seal is a non-contacting mechanical seal designed to prevent gas leakage in compressors. It replaces oil-lubricated seals, providing higher reliability, lower maintenance, and improved energy efficiency. Used in centrifugal and other compressors, dry gas seals for centrifugal compressors are critical for demanding industrial applications, including oil and gas, power generation, and hydrogen or CCUS systems.

How does a dry gas seal work?

A dry gas seal works by creating a non-contacting barrier between the rotating shaft and the stationary compressor housing. Using spiral groove or other face technology, it prevents gas leakage while reducing friction. This ensures reliable compressor operation, minimal wear on dry gas seal components, and long-lasting performance in centrifugal compressors and other rotating equipment.

Are dry gas seals environmentally friendly?

Dry gas seals prevent leakage of harmful gases, reduce friction, and eliminate the need for oil lubrication. By minimising emissions, lowering energy consumption, and supporting cleaner operations, dry gas seal systems for centrifugal compressors are an environmentally responsible solution for industries including LNG, hydrogen, and CCUS applications.

What is dry gas seal in compressor?

A dry gas seal in a compressor is installed between the bearing and compression stages to prevent process gas from leaking. Supplied with filtered product gas at pressures above suction, these compressor dry gas seal systems ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation while reducing emissions and maintenance in high-speed centrifugal compressors.

How to fit a dry gas seal?

To fit a dry gas seal, ensure the compressor shaft and housing are clean and undamaged. Carefully install the dry gas seal components following the manufacturer’s specifications, align the seal faces, and verify gas supply pressures. Proper installation ensures optimal performance, reliability, and long service life in compressor dry gas seal systems.

Maintenance and repair

John Crane Performance Plus is our modular service framework designed to optimise the performance of your plant’s rotating equipment and other critical assets. It delivers world-class maintenance and repair services, as well as dry gas seal refurbishment services. Wherever you are in your plant’s lifecycle, John Crane Performance Plus provides tailored service solutions to meet your specific needs.

More about Performance Plus™
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The economic benefits of retrofitting wet seal-equipped centrifugal compressors with gas seal technology

This paper presents a decision-support tool that evaluates three available technology options from an economic perspective and takes the understanding beyond previous case studies, which relied upon limited static data.

Download the white paper

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