October 09, 2008
Pump Shaft Gland Packing Tip
I wish to share my experience and solution on the pump (sea water, fresh water, liquids) gland leakages and short life of gland packing.
The gland packing tend to leak and damage at quick intervals due to the following reasons-
- Frequent nip up gland nuts in attempting to minimize leak.
- Rough shaft or sleeve area for packing
- Rough or scored and pitted area of gland housing.
- Over tightening of gland packing flange or uneven tightening.
- Inadequate maintenance of pump, vibrations, misalignment, dirt flow conditions etc.,
The solution-
- Prepare shaft and gland pack housing smooth surfaces.
- Cut white Teflon round washer inside correctly to shaft size and out side correctly to housing size.
- Insert first the Teflon washer.
- Next fit the gland packing of correct size.
- Later fix another white Teflon washer.
- Subject to gland packing length ensure every packing protected by Teflon washer.
- On top fix another Teflon washer for gland packing flange to keep pressed against packing.
- Moderately tight the nuts with spring washers of the packing assembly.
- Observe the result.
Note: If pumps are not dismantled, make an angle cut of Teflon washer and insert on shaft. Repack in similar manner as explained above.
The benefits of the solution-
- Gland packing will be intact between white Teflon washers.
- This type of packing provides labyrinth sealing effect and minimize leak.
- Packing in service will not deform due to various reasons like dirt, squeezing due to over tight, uniform pressure applied on tightness.
- Minimum or negligible leak keep the personnel happy.
- Long term maintenance and reduced spares and maintenance.
- Benefit to environment.
- This method can be applied to rotating and reciprocating shaft.
Reader tip provided by Tatta Seshu Raghavacharyulu
Fleet Support Manager
NYK Ship Management
Singapore
Thank you for the tip - your Maintenance-Tips hat is on the way!
