Sealing device for turbomachines

A wet-gas compressor comprising:

• a casing;
• at least one impeller arranged for rotation in a first compartment in the casing;
• at least a second compartment housing at least one contaminant-sensitive component;
• and
• a sealing device arranged between the first compartment and the second compartment, the sealing device comprising:
• a rotary component;
• a stationary component;
• at least a first sealing member between the rotary component and the stationary component;
• an annular wet-particles collector;
• an oil-jet element, mounted on the rotary component for rotation therewith, the oil-jet element being surrounded by the annular wet-particles collector, such that wet articles contacting the oil-jet element are projected by centrifugal force into the annular wet-particles collector;
• and
• a dry-gas delivery port, arranged for delivering dry gas between the rotary component and the stationary component towards the first sealing member;
• wherein the first sealing member is arranged between the first compartment and the oil-jet element.

A method for separating a first compartment from a second compartment, wherein a process gas containing contaminants is processed in the first compartment and a contaminant-sensitive component is housed in the second compartment;

• the method comprising:
• providing a stationary component and a rotary component between the first compartment and the second compartment;
• arranging at least a first sealing member between the first compartment and the second compartment;
• arranging an annular wet-particles collector between the first compartment and the second compartment, the annular wet-particles collector surrounding the rotary component;
• arranging an oil-jet element on the rotary component for rotation therewith, between the first sealing member and the second compartment, the oil-jet element being surrounded by the annular wet-particles collector;
• rotating the rotary component and the oil jet element therewith;
• collecting contaminants with the oil-jet element and projecting by centrifugal force the contaminants with the oil-jet element into the annular wet-particles collector;
• arranging a dry-gas delivery port between the second compartment and the first sealing member;
• and
• delivering dry gas through the dry-gas delivery port towards the first sealing member.