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Stuffing Box Details
This figure shows the following:
Stuffing Box: The purpose of the stuffing box is to provide housing for the sealing mechanism.
Packing Rings: This is the actual soft material which is packed to create a seal. Packing rings are made of graphite, teflon, etc.
Gland or Packing Follower: This component is used to press the packing rings in place. You use the bolts shown here to force the Packing Follower downward, thereby causing the packing rings to get compressed and spread out – this results in reduction of leakage. But it also causes the packing to press against the stem and making it difficult to move the stem.
The operators are required to use their judgment to ensure the packing follower is tight enough to minimize the leakage, but loose enough to allow easy valve stem movement. Usually, you should turn the gland follower nuts a quarter turn at a time - then wait to see the results before taking further action.