Abstract: A bushing seal for a compressor for compressing wet chlorine. The bushing seal includes a bushing surrounding a rotary member of the compressor. Opposing surfaces of the shaft and the bushing define a first restricted fluid passage in communication with the interior of the compressor. Opposing surfaces of the bushing and a compressor casing define a second restricted fluid passage in communication with the interior of the compressor. Opposing surfaces of the rotary member and the bushing define a pumping chamber for receiving a sealing fluid having an initial pressure in excess of a pressure of a process gas within the compressor when the compressor is not operating. The pumping chamber increases the pressure of the sealing fluid to a pressure in excess of a pressure of the process gas when the compressor operates. The outlet of the pumping chamber is in fluid flow communication with the first and second restricted fluid passages.

Abstract: A bushing seal is disclosed for sealing a rotary member and having a face portion which engages a stationary housing and the pressure of a sealing fluid admitted to the bushing urges the face portion against the housing with a force sufficient to prevent freezing of the bushing when the pressure of the sealing fluid is high. A valve is provided for bleeding sealing fluid from a side of the bushing opposite a side against which the sealing fluid is exerting pressure. The valve permits variable flow rate of sealing fluid to atmosphere with the flow rate an inverse function of the pressure of the sealing fluid. By bleeding off fluid, the valve causes a pressure drop across the bushing with the sealing fluid urging the bushing against the housing with an additional force sufficient to prevent subsynchronous whirl when the pressure of the sealing fluid is low.