Separation of compressor oil from helium

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Adv. Cryog. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6205491

Strauss, R; Perrotta, K A

Compression of helium by an oil-sealed rorary screw compressor entrains as much as 4000 parts per million by weight of liquid and vapor oil impurities in the gas. The reduction below about 0.1 ppm for cryogenic applications is discussed. Oil seperation equipment designed for compressed air must be modified significantly to produce the desired results with helium. The main differences between air and helium filtration are described. A description of the coalescers is given with the continuous coalescing of liquid mist from air or other gas illustrated. Oil vapor in helium is discussed in terms of typical compressor oils, experimental procedure for measuring oil vapor concentration, measured volatile hydrocarbons in the lubricants, and calculated concentration of oil vapor in Helium. Liquid oil contamination in helium gas can be reduced well below 0.1 ppm by a properly designed multiple state coalescing filter system containing graded efficiency filter elements. The oil vapor problem is best attached by efficiently treating the oil to remove most of the colatiles before charging the compressor.

• Research Organization: Balston, Inc., Lexington, MA
• OSTI ID: 6205491
• Report Number(s): CONF-810835-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Adv. Cryog. Eng.; (United States) Journal Volume: 27
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
420201 -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPRESSORS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HELIUM
NONMETALS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PURIFICATION
RARE GASES
SEPARATION PROCESSES