Containment or separation seal having primary ring with micro-drilled holes formed therein

An assembly for sealing a fluid in a rotating machine, the assembly comprising:

• a primary dry gas seal adapted and configured to surround a shaft of the rotating machine and prevent the fluid from exiting the rotating machine;
• and
• a secondary seal connected to the primary dry gas seal adapted and configured to prevent a liquid from entering the dry gas seal, the secondary seal comprising:
• a stator configured to be fixedly attached to the rotating machine such that it surrounds the shaft, the stator including primary ring control chamber formed therein;
• a primary ring having a back;
• a split thrust ring at least partially within the primary ring control chamber and coupled to the primary ring, the split thrust ring including an inner ring and outer ring, wherein the inner ring is configured to move axially inboard relative to the outer ring in the event of an increase in the flow of the fluid through the primary dry gas seal;
• a mating ring coupled to the shaft that rotates with the shaft and relative to the primary ring;
• an outer ring biasing members that urges the outer ring and the primary ring toward the mating ring to form a seal interface between the primary ring and the mating ring;
• an inner ring biasing members that urges the inner ring and the primary ring toward the mating ring;
• and
• one or more sealing elements disposed between the split thrust ring and the back of the primary ring and within the primary ring control chamber;
• wherein the stator includes a passageway constructed and arranged to convey pressurized buffer gas a buffer gas pressure during normal operation to the primary ring control chamber;
• wherein the primary ring is non-porous and includes holes drilled therein such that gas in the primary ring control chamber passes from the back of the primary ring, through the drilled holes in the primary ring and to the seal interface.