COMPRESSION PACKING

Engineering Data/FAQs

Functional Testing

Functional Testing Capabilities

Pump test fixtures - Garlock Compression Packing has three different pump test fixture designs that can be used in the evaluation of pump packing set types and arrangements.

Functional Test Pump Service Conditions

Description of the three are as follows:

• Media: Ambient temperature water
  Note: The end suction pump system, due to the dynamics of a closed loop system, can produce water temperatures as high as 160°F (70°C).
  
  
• Abrasives: Can be introduced into the end suction pump system
  
  
• Shaft Speeds: From 367 FPM to 2,100 FPM (1.63 m/s to 9.33 m/s)
  
  
• Packing cross sections:
  Typically 3/8" (9.5 mm) cross section, but modifications can be made to test up to /58" (15.8 mm) cross section.
  
  
• Stuffing box pressures: 2 psi to 120 psi (0.1 to 8.3 bar)
  Note: Pressures above 60 psi (4.1 bar) are achieved by throttling down the discharge flow in the end suction pump.
  
  
• Stuffing box depths: 1.500" to 2.250" (38.1 mm to 57.15 mm)
  
  

Valve Fire Test Fixtures

Fire Test Specification Compliance

• API 6FA, 1st Edition (water)
  
  
• API 589 (water)
  
  
• British Spec BS 6755: Part 2: 1987 (kerosene)
  
  
• API 607 (water)
  
  
• Exxon EXES 3-14-1-2A (kerosene)

High Temperature/Pressure Valve Test Fixtures

The Garlock Fire Test Fixture has been specifically designed to test compression packing and gasketing arrangements in an ANSI 6" 300 pound class gate valve, but is capable of being modified to handle smaller valve installations. The system is also designed to test using either water of kerosene as the test medium. The piping/safety relief valves are sized to handle system pressures during burn periods of up to 600 psi (41 bar). In most fire test exercises, temperatures are monitored and recorded by way of thermocouples that are implanted in the walls of the test valve's body and bonnet. The fixture also has the capability of temperature monitoring by way of calorimeter block-type thermocouples that can be arranged in a pattern surrounding the valve body. The burner system is sized to be able to heat a valve from ambient to 1200°F (650°C) in approximately eight (8) minutes. A monitoring station is located alongside the fixture so that a technician can record and control all temperature and pressure conditions during the course of the test.

The basic design layout for this fixtures was produced by Dayton T. Brown (an independent test laboratory in Bohemia, New York) for sanctioned qualification testing by the U.S. Military. The fixtures is comprised of four test valve positions - two use custom-made valve bonnets in MOV-type test scenarios, and two are standard production block valve bonnets that are hand-actuated.

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