Pump Packing and Mechanical Seals

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
Packing and Mechanical Seals
Packing fills the stuffing box (Figure 2.13) to minimize the amount of
leakage along the shaft by sealing the clearance space between the shaft and
casing. A throat brushing prevents the packing from being forced into the eye
of the impeller by the gland follower.

FIGURE 2.13 STUFFING BOX

Packing is a soft, pliable material like cotton, asbestos, or flax, usually woven or
braided into a continuous square-shaped strand. Packing is usually coated with
graphite or Teflon for lubrication. Because the packing is softer than the shaft,
the shaft can rub against it without damage. The graphite or Teflon coating
provides some lubrication, but additional lubricant is needed to keep friction to
a minimum.
Some fluid leaking out of the stuffing box is normal and provides lubrication
between the shaft and packing. In some cases, packing is pressure lubricated by
the use of lantern rings. Lantern rings are perforated metal rings that surround
the shaft between layers of packing in the stuffing box. These rings allow
additional fluid from the gland sealing line to be injected into the stuffing box
for lubrication of the packing.
A gland follower fits into the open end of the stuffing box and holds the packing
and lantern ring in place against the throat bushing. Adjusting pressure on the

gland follower against the other parts of the packing gland regulates the flow
and leakage rate of the fluid lubricant.
Although a large number of centrifugal pumps use braided packing in stuffing
boxes (Figure 2.14) mechanical seals have gained acceptance in the petroleum
industry They:
1. Require no leakage which is very important when pumping
hydrocarbons because of the potential safety hazard,
2. Last much longer than packing, and
3. Require less maintenance.
These are real advantages if the pump is in a hard to reach or inaccessible

location.

FIGURE 2.14 MECHANICAL SEAL

There are many different types of mechanical seals available on the market
however, all mechanical seals have similar basic components and operate
similarly. A typical mechanical seal consists of rotating parts attached to the
shaft and stationary parts secured to the seal plate, which is bolted directly to
the casing. The highly polished sealing faces of the rotating and stationary parts
are held in contact by one or more springs.