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by: Anna Claire Howard
03/23/2020

5 Steps for Achieving Stuffing Box Reliability



Lantern ring
The lantern ring is one component that must be inspected.

Compression packing is a common sealing technology used to prevent leakage in pumps and valves. Stuffing box reliability depends on proper packing selection, installation, operation, and maintenance.

According to a recent article on PlantServices.com by Chuck Tanner, following several best practices can help you increase the life and effectiveness of your compression packing. Adhering to the five steps detailed in the article helps teams reduce downtime and excessive leakage.

5 Steps for Stuffing Box Reliability

According to Tanner, these best practices also help ensure that equipment in your plant meets requirements for plant water use and effluent discharge.

  1. Choose the most effective base fiber and fiber treatment
  2. Install packing correctly
  3. Observe effective maintenance processes
  4. Keep in mind that packing requirements may change as process parameters change
  5. Timing of packing replacement

Infographic: “5 Steps for Reliable Packing Performance”

As illustrated in a recent Seal Connect infographic, the better the performance and reliability of a fluid sealing program, the better the condition of internal pump components.

“By adhering to the five best practices described in this infographic, plant teams can all but eliminate excessive leakage caused by improper packing installation. They will reduce equipment downtime and have more reliable packing performance.”

Read the full article on PlantServices.com for an in-depth review of these five steps and the role they play in achieving stuffing box reliability. 

About the Author
Anna Claire Howard is a contributing writer, editor, and content marketing specialist for Sealing Equipment Products Co. Inc. (SEPCO) and has been since Spring 2019. Before those two big life changes, she was the content marketing specialist for Fluke Accelix; assistant editor for Grand View Outdoors, publisher of Bowhunting World, Predator Xtreme, Whitetail Journal, Tactical Retailer, and Shooting Sports Retailer; managing editor for Media Solutions, Inc., publisher of Gear Solutions, Wind Systems, and Thermal Processing magazines; assistant editor for MSI; and the editorial intern for B.A.S.S., LLC, publisher of Bassmaster Magazine and Bassmaster.com. In these B2B/B2C roles, Anna Claire developed an appreciation for the industrial sector, as well as the operators and technicians who make up the workforce. You can find her on LinkedIn at bit.ly/ACHowardLI.

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