Mechanical Seal to Injectable Packing

[mjpetrag]

We're looking into switching our mechanical seals out in our double suction cooling water pumps to injectable packing to minimize maintenance costs. What are your experiences with doing this? It seems like there's almost no downside to injectable packing on non-hazardous services since you would just reinject the packing for a leak.

The only disadvantage I see is an increase in power consumption due to increased shaft friction.

-Mike

 

[flexibox]

Dont understand why you are doing this? I have worked on cooling water pumps converting from gland packed to mech seals. The last one I did i fitted a split seal and the client has not touched the pump for 10 years+. You need to explain what the maintenance casts are related then you may get some good feed back on this site.

let us know what problems you are having

 

[clay87]

injectable packing can be difficult to inject. We often have to hand-pack with injectable to ensure good distribution - especially on larger shaft sizes.

What kind of leaks do you have with mech seals that packing will cure?

 

[Majdie]

We have both packing and mechanical seal for cooling water pumps. Seal is more reliable and headache free. In packing you will always have water coming to the bearing as well as setteling on the pump foundations.

If you have present problem with the seal you are going to have more if you switch to packing.

One of the things that we noticed on big between bearings pump is if you have internal misalignment. Then the seal will flex twice every revolution. You may resolve it by moving to stationary flexible.

 

[mjpetrag]

It was more of a question about experiences with injectable packing vs mechanical seals.

sounds like i'll just scrap the idea of switching to injectable packing.

thanks for the replies

-Mike