In the event of a seal failure, what is the typical safety action?

• A. Isolate the compressor.
• B. Increase the load on the compressor.
• C. Vent the gas to atmosphere from all lines.
• D. Ignore and continue operation.

Answer: (A)

When a seal fails, the priority is to stop the release path and secure the equipment. The typical safety action is to isolate the compressor by closing the inlet and outlet isolation valves and initiating a safe shutdown. This prevents gas from continuing to flow through the damaged seal, reduces the chance of a larger leak, and enables a controlled shutdown and containment of any released material. Increasing the load would push more gas through the faulty seal and worsen the situation. Venting to the atmosphere without proper controls is hazardous and generally not permitted, as it exposes people and the environment to potential toxic or flammable releases. Ignoring the issue is unsafe and violates standard safety procedures.