2/19/2018 Mechanical Seals Vs Gland Packing - Mechanical Engineering Site

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Mechanical Seals Vs Gland Packing

Last updated February 18, 2018

In this article, we will see the difference between the mechanical seal and gland packing (Mechanical Seals
Vs Gland Packing).

Although mechanical seals had been around for many decades and now it replaced gland packing in many
application. But still, gland packing’s are used in many applications such as re water pumps, e uent water
pumps, valve packing’s, etc,

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[To read more about Balanced and Unbalanced mechanical seal click here]

The major comparison between the mechanical seal and gland packing are listed below. They are

• Emission
• Product loss
• Power Consumption
• Installation Time

Contents [hide]

1 Emission
2 Product Loss
3 Power Consumption
4 Installation time
5 Mechanical Seals Vs Gland Packing

Emission
Today, emissions norms in all countries are more stringent and move toward the target of Zero emission.
Because of the emission norms, the mechanical seals are used to meet the requirement and start replacing
gland packing.
As per Clean Air Act of United States, they are 187 air pollutants listed and the source from which they
came. Every year this list is keep on growing. Due to this Act, the companies in the United States are stickily
following the Clean Air Act. Similarly the Clean air act of European Union and developing countries like India,
Brazil are moving toward stringent.

As per API 682, guaranteed the leakage rate mechanical seal will be as follows
• Vapours – less than 1000 ml/m3 (1000 ppm vol) per pair of seal faces
• Liquid – less than 5.6 g/h per pair of seal faces

In particle, most of the mechanical seal leakage rate is well below the recommended by API 682.

If the above mention emission level is higher than the local emission norms than we need to go for double
mechanical seal.

Gland packings are used for only when the pumping liquid is non-hazardous such as water transfer pumps,
storm water pumps, etc.,

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Product Loss
This is one of the major parameters for selecting mechanical seal over the gland packing. By using
mechanical seal the loss of product due to leakage in reduced more than 99.95% when compared with
gland packing.

As per gland packing thumb rule, leakage of pumping uid is essential for extending the life of gland
packing.

The leakage rate of well tighten gland packing is 10 drop/minutes (but in actual site condition it will very
high). Total leakage rate for per day shall be

(10 drops/min) x 60 x 24 = 14400 drops (approximately 0.72 liters)

As per the above estimation, by using gland packing the production loss will be 0.72 litres. If you consider
the pump is running for One year, then the product loss will be

0.72 x 365 = 262.8 liters

In the case of mechanical seal (assuming single mechanical seal) the product loss will be not more than 1
litres for a year.

Power Consumption
The amount of power required to drive a mechanical seal is very less compare the pump having gland
packing.
In the case of Gland Packing, the sealing will take place by pressing the gland packing against the gap

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between the casing and shaft to control the leakage. Also, the number of packing required for the seal is
pend on the stu ng box pressure and depth of the stu ng box. Usually, the number of packing rings used
for the pumps will be between to 3 to 7 packing rings. Usually, the power will increase with an increase in
the number of packing rings.

On the other hand, the mechanical seal having primary seal faces which are having very less frictional
losses. Due to this mechanical seal will consume 80% power (assuming mechanical seal with pumping
ring) less than the gland packing.

Installation time
The Installation time for mechanical seal usually takes seven to eight hours (include ushing system).
Normally the installation duration will depend on the size of the mechanical seal.

On the other hand, glad packing installation will take a maximum of one to two hours and it will depend
upon the size of shaft and number of gland packing rings required.

Mechanical Seals Vs Gland Packing

Description Mechanical seal Gland Packing

Installation time is high, due to the pump

Installation time is very less. The packing
Installation time would have to be taken off-line and
can be replaced immediately.
disassembled

Very cheap when compare with

Capital cost Very high
mechanical seal

Spare cost Spares to be maintained. High spare cost. Spare is not applicable.

Skilled manpower is required for mechanical Minimal training is su cient for gland
Skill requirement
installations, removal and assembly packing installations and removal.

Leakage rate Very minimal leakage Leakage will be high

Huge production loss when compare with

Product loss Very minimal
mechanical seal

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Power Very less power consumed Power consumption is very high

Consumption

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Tagged With: difference between the mechanical seal and gland packing, gland packing Vs mechanical seal, Mechanical
Seals Vs Gland Packing

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