Page 193 - Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps

Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps

LUBRICATION I FLUSH I
PACKING COOLING PORT

R
GLAND FOLLOWER
h 4

GLAND STUDS
AND NUTS

and Aramid. Some packings have metallic components such as: Lead,
Copper, Aluminum, Iron, Stainless Steel, Nickel, Inconel 'and Zinc.
Common lubricating components include: Animal Fat, Petroleum Oils
and Greases, Mica, Graphite and Synthetic Lubricants. Still other
packings have sizable quantities of rubber and leather. A general
understanding of these materials of construction, their strengths and
weaknesses, along with the equipment where they will be used, will
reduce unexpected failures in the equipment, and as such reduce the
equipment downtime and maintenance costs.
Pump packings should be selected for their ability to compress. When
gland pressure is applied, the packing should react quickly to detain the
leakage and not damage (score) the shaft or sleeve.
Another important consideration, often disregarded at the moment of
buying the packing, is its effect on the shaft or sleeve. This is the most
important factor to consider in selecting the appropriate packing. The
cost of the shaft or sleeve will greatly exceed the few dollars saved by
purchasing economical packing.

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