Page 183 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

Operation and Maintenance of Reciprocating Compressors 1 69

FIGURE 3-28. Typical piston rod packing arrangement. (Source: C, Lee
Cook, Louisville, Kentucky).

PACKING TYPES

There are several types of packing available. These include:

1. Fully lubricated. Oil is supplied to the packing from the mechanical
lubricator. The cases are drilled so that oil will be carried to the oil
cups and then to the piston rod through a drilled hole in the oil cups.
2. Mini-lubricated. Same as fully lubricated, except that oil to the
packing is decreased approximately 30 percent of normal flow.
3. Micro-flow. There is no oil supplied directly to the packing. The
only oil that reaches the packing is carried over on the piston rod
from the crankcase.
4. Fully non-lubricated. No oil is supplied to the packing and no oil
carryover from the crankcase is allowed to reach the packing. The
crankcase oil is prevented from reaching the packing by means of
an oil deflector collar attached to the piston rod between the oil
wiper rings and the packing assembly.