1
What is going on inside a packed stuffing box?
What is going on inside a packed stuffing box?
•How much water is being used?
•Can you reduce this water usage?
•Is water getting into the product?
•How do solids get into the packing?
•How much water is being used?
•Can you reduce this water usage?
•Is water getting into the product?
•How do solids get into the packing?
HOW A STUFFING BOX SHOULD LOOK WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY PACKED
LANTERN RING MUST BE POSITIONED BELOW FLUSH INLET TO ALLOW MAXIMUM RESULTS FROM FLUSH FLUID: FLUSH PRESSURE SHOULD BE 10 TO 15 PSI (0.8 TO 1 BAR)
OVER MAXIMUM STUFFING BOX PRESSURE.
2
Packing needs to compress to work.
Due to the compressibility of the packing the gland force is not effectively transferred through each
packing ring.
Packing needs to compress to work.
Due to the compressibility of the packing the gland force is not effectively transferred through each
packing ring.
3
This allows solids from the process fluid being pumped to accumulate between the sleeve and
packing.
This allows solids from the process fluid being pumped to accumulate between the sleeve and
packing.
Conventional flush arrangements are not effective at keeping solids out of packing. This is
a major source of packing and sleeve wear.
Conventional flush arrangements are not effective at keeping solids out of packing. This is
a major source of packing and sleeve wear.
The lack of compression transmitted to the bottom rings Causes them to run “loose”.
The lack of compression transmitted to the bottom rings Causes them to run “loose”.
Bottom of Stuffing Box
Lantern Ring Position
Bottom of Stuffing Box
Sleeve damaged by stock trapped under the bottom packing rings
Sleeve damaged by stock trapped under the bottom packing rings
Flush water must overcome the product pressure to keep the
solids out of the packing.
A pressure drop is occurring between the flush water source and
atmosphere.
The pressure in the stuffing box is less than
80 PSI.
It is easier for the flush water to go to the
atmosphere than it is to remove the solids.
Solids are not effectively removed from the packing
with this method.
Flush water goes to drain.
Flush water must overcome the product pressure to keep the
solids out of the packing.
A pressure drop is occurring between the flush water source and
atmosphere.
The pressure in the stuffing box is less than
80 PSI.
It is easier for the flush water to go to the
atmosphere than it is to remove the solids.
Solids are not effectively removed from the packing
with this method.
Flush water goes to drain.
Open ValveOpen Valve
Process 30 PSI
Process 30 PSI
SolidsSolids
0 PSI0 PSI
80 PSI Flush80 PSI Flush
The flush water must overcome the product
pressure to keep the solids out of the packing.
The pressure drop now occurs between the flush water source, atmosphere
and the product.
The pressure in the stuffing box is now 80 PSI.
The packing must now seal the full 80 PSI.
The packing must be “tight” to control leakage,
causing frictional heat.
This method reduces water use and eliminates some
solids.
Considerable product dilution can occur.
The flush water must overcome the product
pressure to keep the solids out of the packing.
The pressure drop now occurs between the flush water source, atmosphere
and the product.
The pressure in the stuffing box is now 80 PSI.
The packing must now seal the full 80 PSI.
The packing must be “tight” to control leakage,
causing frictional heat.
This method reduces water use and eliminates some
solids.
Considerable product dilution can occur.
Closed Valve
Closed Valve
80 PSI Flush80 PSI Flush
Process 30 PSI
Process 30 PSI
SolidsSolids
0 PSI0 PSI
SpiralTrac: How Does It Work?SpiralTrac: How Does It Work?
Ball valve
Flow meter
CheckValve
GPH
40
20
0
SpiralTrac Type P separator uses centrifugal force to direct the flow of the flush and effectively
prevents solids from entering the packing.
Adjustable flow meter is used to reduce flow rates 20 to 30 gallons per hour!
This arrangement will operate at significantly reduced flush pressures
and flows.
Reduced pressure allows the packing to seal effectively with reduced gland force.
SpiralTrac Type P separator uses centrifugal force to direct the flow of the flush and effectively
prevents solids from entering the packing.
Adjustable flow meter is used to reduce flow rates 20 to 30 gallons per hour!
This arrangement will operate at significantly reduced flush pressures
and flows.
Reduced pressure allows the packing to seal effectively with reduced gland force.
Flow Meter with ValveFlow Meter with Valve
80 PSI80 PSI
SpiralTrac Version “P”SpiralTrac Version “P”
Process 30 PSI
Process 30 PSI
SolidsSolids
FlushFlush
GPH
40
20
0
Flow Meter with ValveFlow Meter with Valve
80 PSI80 PSI
SpiralTrac Ver “P”
SpiralTrac Ver “P”
Process 30 PSI
Process 30 PSI
SolidsSolids
FlushFlush
Reduced Flush Flow and Pressure.
Reduced Flush Flow and Pressure.
No Solids
Reduced Gland Force
Reduced Gland Force
Gland has improved
“adjustment feel” because bolt force
is transmitted through just 3 packing rings.
Gland has improved
“adjustment feel” because bolt force
is transmitted through just 3 packing rings.
Flush Pressure only needs to be slightly above (10-15 psi) process pressure for flow to occur
Flush Pressure only needs to be slightly above (10-15 psi) process pressure for flow to occur
Condition of Shaft Sleeve After Two Years Run Time
Condition of Shaft Sleeve After Two Years Run Time