Which statement is listed as a common centrifugal compressor trip condition related to the seal oil system?

• A. High ambient temperature
• B. Low seal oil pressure
• C. Excessive vibration
• D. High discharge temperature

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the seal oil system must provide a clean, pressurized oil film to lubricate, cool, and create a barrier for the mechanical seal. When seal oil pressure drops, the lubricating film becomes too thin or collapses, the seal faces can overheat or rub, and the barrier can’t be maintained. This heightens the risk of seal damage, oil or gas leakage, and bearing trouble, so the protection system trips the compressor to prevent serious failure. That makes low seal oil pressure a direct and reliable indicator tied to the seal oil system.

Other conditions listed are not specific seal-oil protections. High ambient temperature can affect cooling in general but isn’t a direct seal oil trip signal. Excessive vibration points to rotor or mechanical integrity issues rather than the seal oil supply. High discharge temperature signals process or cooling problems but isn’t a seal oil system trip by itself.