Inexperienced leak repair contractors render valves inoperable by injecting sealant
Most plant leaks are sealed on stream by injecting a sealant into a sealant retainer bolted over the leak.
The sealant then cures or solidifies, and the leak is effectively sealed off.
This on-stream method of sealing leaks is a valuable alternative to industry which allows plants to avoid unnecessary shutdown to stop a leak.
One exception to the injection of sealant to stop a leak, however, is the valve stem leak.
Valve stem leaks should not be sealed by the injection of a sealant. In fact, problems result when sealant material is injected into valve packing glands to seal stem leaks.
First, when the sealant cures, there is a tendency for it to bond to the stem and the packing box which, in most cases, leaves the valve inoperable.
The valve then must be replaced during an outage, thus, adding tremendous costs to plant maintenance budgets.
Second, if the valve can be operated at all after the injection of sealant, chances are the leak will recur immediately the first time the valve stem is turned!
Why? Because the cured sealant is not resilient enough to maintain a seal against the stem when the stem rotates or rises.
The solution to the valve stem leak is simply to repack the valve stuffing boxes on stream by injecting Team packing material rather than sealant.
Team's injectable packing material, made of liquid and solid lubricating materials as well as non-asbestos fibrous fillers, can be injected into the packing gland.
What's more, the gland can be adjusted during the injection process to allow the stuffing box to be completely filled and restore the packing adjustment capability.
The injected packing material does not bond to the stem or hinder operation of the valve stem.
The valve can then remain in service with its utility restored, the leak is effectively sealed, and the plant saves the cost of a new valve.
Team, Inc., has perfected these injectable packing materials - including food-grade and emissions free packing materials - to stop valve stem leaks on stream and leave your valves completely operable.
