What Are Lantern Rings?
Lantern rings are a crucial component in the operation of rotating equipment, specifically designed to deliver flush water to the shaft surface when used with mechanical packing.
Types of Lantern Rings
Lantern rings come in various forms and are manufactured from materials such as steel, aluminum, brass, and Teflon.
At SealRyt, we produce our own unique lantern rings, tailored to address specific challenges in the industry.
Our Innovative Design
SealRyt lantern rings (SLR or Structural Lantern Rings) are distinct from the standard ones you might encounter. We developed these to ensure the delivery of water to the shaft is as efficient as possible.
Our design not only achieves this but also boasts a robust structure capable of withstanding higher pressures within the stuffing box, which arise from the mechanical action of tightened packing.
Additionally, our design mitigates clogging issues—a common problem with conventional lantern rings where small ports and shallow channels on either the outer diameter (OD) or inner diameter (ID) often lead to blockages.
Common Lantern Ring Installation Issues
Despite their essential role, lantern rings can encounter issues due to improper installation, including:
● Incorrect Sizing: If the lantern ring is not correctly sized for the equipment, it will not function effectively.
● Poor Configuration Matching: Installers must ensure the packing set configuration matches the actual stuffing box setup. Failing to do so can lead to poor performance.
To illustrate, consider a typical pump model number indicating a configuration such as "L2 3". This means there are two rings of packing at the bottom, followed by the lantern ring (denoted by"L"), and then three more rings extending to the atmosphere.
The Importance of Proper Placement
It's important to carefully inspect the stuffing box and take accurate measurements to ensure the correct placement of the lantern ring.Placing the lantern ring incorrectly can cause several problems, such as reduced performance and operational inefficiencies. Proper positioning is crucial to avoid these issues and maintain optimal function.
Watch Our Video for More on Lantern Rings
For a deeper understanding, watch our video where we use a drawing board to explain various aspects of lantern rings, their materials, and their functions. Remember, correct placement of the lantern ring inside the stuffing box is crucial. It will save you both time and headaches in the long run.
If you want to learn more about pump seals, mechanical packing, failure points, or any rotating shaft sealing questions then contact one of our engineers. We have been sealing shafts for over 20 years in all types of industries.