Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
By:
Michele Loudenslager
Categories:
Industry Parts
6 Myths About Packing Cases
Packing cases are vital to reciprocating compressor's performance. Ensuring your packing cases are repaired frequently and functioning properly is extremely important for their efficiency and longevity.
A quick and responsive company like Hi-Tech can repair your packing cases and bring them to like "new condition" fast and economically. Unfortunately, companies don’t always know fact from fiction when it comes to compressor packing cases, which can lead to misconceptions, loss of time, and overspending. We will be exposing six common myths of packing cases that can help you make better decisions about your repair options, in addition to why they should be repaired.
Let’s get started!
1.
Myth: The nose gasket isn’t a vital element of the packing case.
Truth: The nose gasket is an underrated source of sealing. The location plays a key role, as the nose gasket experiences extreme temperatures and pressures in assuring the gas you are compressing does not escape around the case and instead seals forcing the gas to enter into the case where the packings can do their job of sealing.
2.
Myth: The original OEM rod packing material and design is the best option for my particular application.
Truth: There are many application-specific varieties of packings and materials available that can improve your efficiency and longevity if unable with your current packings.
3.
Myth: When the packing case is leaking only the packing needs to be replaced.
Truth: Causes of leakage can be a result of packing, rod surface finish, nose gasket, improper amount of lubrication, improper cup depth or cup ID, alignment (rod runout), etc.
4.
Myth: The compressor rod needs to be smooth.
Truth: The compressor rod finish needs to be properly matched to the compressor running conditions. Standard RMS rod finish can be further influenced if the rod is coated or not and the pressure involved. (API indicates finishes which we abide by.)
5.
Myth: The packing is the only contributor to gas leakage.
Truth: The other contributors are rod size, finish, alignment and dimensional cup sizes. (Assuming the packings are installed properly.)
6.
Myth: The OEM case I have will be the case I am stuck with it and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Truth: New cases can be manufactured with a number of additional features such as:
- Rod drop indicators
- Purge capabilities
- Vent & Drain
- RTD Capabilities
- Cooling
These features also include cost-saving benefits and performance incentives.
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