GIW Technical Series

Stuffing Box Water Requirements

The function of the stuffing box is to provide a dynamic seal at the shaft between the pumped
product and the atmosphere. This is accomplished by forcing packing against the rotating shaft
sleeve. Flush water provides lubrication and removes the heat generated by friction. When properly
adjusted, there should always be a small amount of water dripping from the stuffing box. This
should be at a temperature that would be comfortable for hand washing. The required pressure and
volume of flush water depends on the design of the stuffing box, the maximum working pressure of
the pump, and the size of the shaft. Pumps used in series in a multiple stage system will have special
requirements. The key is to have enough water volume and pressure to cool and lubricate the
packing while excluding slurry particles from entering the stuffing box.
Forward
GIW offers three stuffing box designs for various pump Flush
applications. Standard for the LSA range is the Forward Flush
design. This is the simplest and consists of a lantern ring backed
with multiple packing rings. It is used where gland water supply is
plentiful and additional water added to the process flow is not a
problem, as in many severe hydrotransport operations.
Throat
Bushing Next is the Throat Bushing design which combines the lantern ring
with a longer, tight tolerance collar. This produces a throttling effect
that restricts the water flow around the shaft sleeve while maintaining
pressure and flow at the packing rings. This reduces the amount of
water that enters the process flow while providing an easy to
maintain stuffing box assembly.
Low Flow
KE
Finally, the KE design is used where maximum water control is desired.
This is the standard for LCC pumps. One or two rings of packing are
located between the lantern ring and the wear plate to restrict flow
into the pump cavity, while the packing rings behind the lantern ring
provide the seal to atmosphere.

Water supplied to the stuffing box may be referred to by different names such as Flush, Gland,
Purge or Seal water, but these all mean the same. The quality of this water plays an important role
in the life of the packing and shaft sleeve. While drinking water is generally not available, flush
water should be non-aggressive, not liable to form deposits and have neutral pH. Solids content
should be kept below 2500 ppm and 50 microns.
Flush water requirements are listed in the GIW Maintenance Manual. These are based on
measurements taken in the GIW Hydraulic Lab, as well as field experience, and represent the
maximum flowrate that should be required to sustain satisfactory operation of the seal over the
useful life of the packing. Actual flow in a properly maintained and adjusted unit is generally less.
For best performance, each pump should be adjusted for minimum water consumption while still
providing adequate drip rate.

TECH Gland Water 2008-01-18.doc

Stuffing Box Water Requirements 2

PRESSURE CONTROL vrs FLOW CONTROL

Pressure Control
Pressure control can be used with all stuffing box types. The industry standard for supply pressure
is 10 psi (0.7 bar) over pump discharge pressure from supply piping adequately sized for the
maximum flow required. Actual flush volume then becomes a function of the pressure differential
between the supply and stuffing box, coupled with the orifice effect of the lantern ring or throat
bushing. Pressure control is usually the simplest and most reliable approach when pump operation
and discharge pressure are relatively constant, or where they can be monitored and used to adjust
the gland water supply pressure. It may be difficult to manage in pumps with widely varying speed
or pumping conditions.
Pressure controlled systems must be capable of supplying both the required pressure and volume.
Depending on the requirements, this may be accomplished by using existing plant water lines for
low pressure pumps, adding a booster pump for higher pressures, or pumping water from another
source. Potable water lines typically require the use of backflow preventers or other safety devices.
Note that the pressure at the stuffing box exit is generally less that pump discharge pressure and
therefore the actual pressure needed to maintain a positive flush into the pump is less than discharge
pressure. This provides an additional safety factor for upset conditions, such as shut head operation.
Clearing vanes on the back of the impeller can lower the required pressure further, but they will also
reduce pump efficiency and may lead to wear problems in some applications.
Flow Control
Flow control can be used with Throat Bushing or Forward Flush designs to reduce excess water
consumption or to compensate for widely varying pump discharge pressures.
Flow control should not be used with the KE type stuffing box due the potential for the seal water to
over pressure and lead to jamming of the packing and overheating.
Flow control of gland water involves installing a flow meter and
regulating valves in the supply line. All components must have
adequate pressure ratings. Flow meters are available with alarm
contacts which can warn of the loss of sealing water supply. One
must verify that the meter and valves will work with the volume,
Flo
pressure and water quality supplied at the stuffing box. w
M t
An alternate flow control system utilizes a Positive Displacement
pump sized to the required flow rating. This requires a safety device such as a Pop-Off Valve set at
10 psi (0.7 bar) over the Maximum Working Pressure of the slurry pump to protect against
overpressure to the pump and/or seal water supply system.

Regardless of the stuffing box design or flush water control, proper maintenance of the pump
assembly will result in the most efficient operation. Periodic gland adjustments will keep water
consumption to a minimum while a constant source of good quality water will ensure the longest
life of shaft sleeves and packing.

TECH Gland Water 2008-01-18.doc

Stuffing Box Water Requirements 3

FLOW CONTROL BASICS

Water requirements for Forward Flush and Throat Bushing stuffing boxes listed in the Maintenance
Manual tables indicate the potential water flow with worn packing. Piping should be sized to the
maximum flow rating.
Flush water is typically pressure controlled to Forward Flush and Throat Bushing stuffing boxes.
However, where water consumption must be reduced, a flow control system may be added. This is
useful where operating pressures fluctuate over a wide range, or where there is a potential of
packing failures in remote locations.
Flow control may be achieved in different ways. Where the available water supply is adequate,
install a flow meter and regulating valves in the line. A backflow preventer is recommended to
prevent reverse flow should the pump pressure exceed supply pressure.
Alternatively, a Positive Displacement pump that delivers the correct volume can be used with a
safety or “pop-off” valve so the purge pressure can never exceed 10 psi (0.7bar) above the
Maximum Working Pressure of the pump. All components must have adequate pressure ratings.
Verify that components will work with the volume, pressure and water quality supplied to the
stuffing box.
A typical flow control system adjustment would involve the following steps:
1. Turn on the seal water supply and adjust the flowrate to the Maintenance Manual
recommendation, or to the maximum the system can supply if the recommended flowrate cannot
be reached. If the safety relief device begins to vent (MAWP exceeded), reduce the flowrate.
2. Start the pump.
3. With pump running under normal conditions, re-adjust the seal water flowrate as done in step 1.
4. Check and adjust the stuffing box to achieve the correct drip rate as described in the
Maintenance Manual.
5. If reductions in seal water flowrate are desired, reduce the flowrate in 10% increments over
time. As the volume of water is reduced, the stuffing box gland will need to be loosened
slightly to maintain the proper drip rate. The temperature of the water exiting the stuffing box is
the best indicator of the correct setting. Water should be at a temperature that would be
comfortable for hand washing which indicates that the packing is not overheated.
6. Periodically check the stuffing box leakage to see that it remains clear. Cloudy leakage would
indicate that slurry is mixing with the seal water in the box and that the seal water flowrate must
be increased.

TECH Gland Water 2008-01-18.doc