Valve operators and manufacturers can confidently use James Walker's Supagraf Premier gland packing with live-loaded or unloaded valve stem sealing systems to help meet IPPC environmental requirements. This follows TA-Luft certification by test laboratory Amtec for the packing in both modes of operation.
Four rings of Premier were tested unloaded at 300°C and 400°C packing temperatures to gain the TA-Luft high-grade sealing rating. The efficiency of the sets when live-loaded was confirmed by Amtec in response to a chemical plant and an oil refinery in Germany that prefer to load their valve packings with spring washers.
The laboratory explained that, when using spring washers, the residual surface pressure on the rings is slightly higher. Therefore the sealing efficiency will be improved fractionally.
Claus-Peter Franzenburg, managing director of James Walker Deutschland, said: "Supagraf Premier does not need live-loading under normal operating conditions. Live-loading is an option for use when valves are subjected to significant thermal cycling, or are sited where maintenance access is difficult."
Supagraf Premier has already beaten TA-Luft VDI 2440 emission control requirements by outstanding factors. Recorded gas emission levels in tests at 240°C and 400°C respectively would not fill a golf ball or tennis ball in a year.
Enter 68A or at www.engineerlive.com/epe
James Walker & Co Ltd is based in Crewe, Cheshire, UK.www.jameswalker.biz
