A system and method are disclosed for processing an oxygen-containing gas for use in a chemical process producing a generally inert gas. A fluid handling rotor is carried by a rotary shaft for effecting a pressure change in the oxygen-containing gas. A housing surrounds the rotor and the adjacent portion of the shaft. A bearing, axially spaced from the rotor, supports the shaft in the housing for rotation. Lubricant is injected into the bearing and is caused to flow through the bearing and axially toward the rotor. A seal surrounds the shaft intermediate the rotor and the bearing and seals between the shaft and housing. A generally inert seal gas is extracted from the products of the chemical process and injected into the seal under a pressure greater than the pressures within the housing on either side of and immediately adjacent the seal.