Get Packing

Exploring the art of packing a valve.

A small seep of product moistens the area around the packing gland of a the header valve on your barge during cargo operations. Though not yet a drip, it is obvious that some of the product in the line is finding its way out throught the packing.

How do you react?

Nut "flat"

The obvious first response is to gently tighten the two packing gland nuts in an even fashion. The general rule of thumb is to advance the nut one "flat" at a time. Advance one flat on the right side and then advance one flat on the left side. The seep should go away as you slowly tighten the nuts and force the gland bushing into the gland.

Only go as far as you need to stop the seep. Over tightening will make the valve hard to open or close.

Time to repack?

At some point in the life cycle of a barge valve, the packing gland bushing may bottom out.  Once this happens, no more pressure can be put on the packing to stop a leak. As the packing ages, it will slowly wears through mechanical action.  In some cases, especially when loading heated products, the paking will get hard and lose its flexibility.

Once the valve is at this point, it is time to repack the valve.

Here are the steps: 

Step one, the obvious....The valve must not be under pressure.  Repack valves only when the product line is empty.

Step two....Gather your tools and the supplies needed:

• Packing hooks.
• Combination wrench for the packing gland nut size.
• Spray can of "Never-Seize".
• Rags.
• The proper size GFO Braided Graphite Packing:
• 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" typical.

Step three....remove the old packing. 

• Clean up the threads on the gland bolts with "Never Seize", a wire brush and a rag.  Remove the two nuts.
• Use the open end of your combination wrench to pry up the gland bushing.
• Prop the gland bushing/flange up and out of the way with one of the gland bolts.
• Use a packing hook to remove the old packing from the gland. 
• Screw the hook into each round of packing and slowly pull it out.
• Once the old packing is removed, clean the gland area and valve stem thoroughly. 

Step four....Add new packing.

• Determine the correct packing size.  Here is an example on how to find the right size using a typical 8" rising stem header valve:
• Measure diameter of valve stem...................1 1/4 inches.
• Measure the outer diameter of the gland area.......2 inches.
• Subtract larger from smaller....2" minus 1 1/4" = 3/4".
• Divide by 2......3/4" divided by 2 =3/8".....packing size.
• Wrap the correct size packing around the valve stem to get the proper length. 
• Score in place and remove to make a 45 degree angle cut as shown in the illustration. 
• Do this for each ring you will need.
• It is necessary to cut each ring the proper length and angle. 
• INSTALL ONE RING AT A TIME....Make sure the packing ring is clean, and has not picked any dirt in handling. If needed, lubricate the shaft and inside of the gland.
• Packing rings should be firmly seated in the gland one at a time.
• Use the gland bushing to evenly tamp the rings in place.
• Joints of successive packing should be staggered at 90 degrees.

Step five....Tighten the gland flange nuts.

• After the last ring is installed....Put the gland bushing and gland flange in place, add nuts finger tight or very slightly snugged up.
  • Do not jam packing into place with excessive tightening.
• During this time, turn valve stem back and forth to determine ease of turning. Do not torque down to the point where the stem won't turn.

Check the valve once pressure is on it.  You may need to tighten nuts slightly as valve begins to be used.

Thanks to  Ben Gunstream and Tommy Revia for help on this article! 

Fleet Wide Training Report

The Fleet Wide Training Report on CBT is designed for Wheelman to access all completed training. If you want to verify that your crew members are completing their CBT's, all you have to do is login and click on "Fleet Wide Training Report (Wheelmen Only)".

 

 

The report provides all training certificates for all employees. It can be sorted by employee ID, first name, last name, course, and date received. Simply click on the category name that you want to sort. Then click on the "+/-" to sort A-Z or Z-A.  

 

This is available as a tool for you. The Missing Training Report will be sent in addition. If you have any questions concerning this report please contact Kelly in the Channelview office.

 

 

Chemical Corner  
   

For the next few months, the Higman Training Newsletter will highlight the products carried aboard Higman Barges. The information below is general and is not meant to replace the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). For detailed product safety and health information, be sure to read the most current MSDS for the product you are interested in.

Today's Chemical is:

Vacuum Gas Oil - VGO

What is it?

VGO, also called Straight Run Fuel Oil or Heavy Vacuum Gas Oil, is produced in a Vacuum Distillation Unit, through the separation of the heaviest fraction from the atmospheric distillation column. It is a heavy and viscous product and is only used as an intermediary feed stock. 

Vacuum Gas Oil or VGO is used in the production of:

• Gasoline - The Fluidized Catalytic Cracker is a refining unit that cracks the HVGO in the presence of a catalyst, to produce a gasoline rich mix of products.
• Diesel / Kerosene - The Hydrocracker is a refining unit that cracks the HVGO using hydrogen, to produce a mixture of products rich in middle distillate. 

  VGO

VGO is primarily shipped by barge or ship as a refinery feedstock.

What are my concerns?

H2S: Product may contain or release hydrogen sulfide. H2S is a highly toxic, highly flammable gas, which can be fatal if inhaled at certain concentrations.

Eye Protection - Keep away from eyes. Eye contact can be avoided by wearing safety glasses or chemical splash goggles. A source of clean water should be available in the work area for flushing eyes.

Eye Contact - Flush immediately with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Eyelids should be held away from the eyeball to ensure thorough rinsing. Seek medical advice if pain or redness continues.

Skin Protection - Keep away from skin. Skin contact can be minimized by wearing protective gloves such as neoprene, nitrile-butadiene rubber, etc. and, where necessary, impervious clothing and boots. Where potential exists for exposure to a product and water mixture (e.g., hydroblasting exchanger tubes or vessel bottoms), a face shield as well as appropriate barrier creams should be used to prevent face and neck contact. Leather goods contaminated with this product should be discarded. A source of clean water should be available in the work area for flushing skin.

Skin Contact - Immediately contact physician for thermal burns. In case of skin contact with hot product, immediately immerse or drench the affected are in water to assist cooling. Get medical attention. Remove contaminated clothing promptly and launder before reuse. Contaminated leather goods should be discarded. If irritation persists or symptoms described in the MSDS develop, seek medical attention. High pressure skin injections are SERIOUS MEDICAL EMERGENCIES. Get

DOT Classification: Class 3, Flammable Liquid

immediate medical attention.

Respiratory Protection: If workplace exposure limits for product or components are exceeded, NIOSH equipment should be worn. Proper respirator selection should be determined by adequately trained personnel, based on the contaminants, the degree of potential exposure and published respiratory protection factors. This equipment should be available for non-routine and emergency use.

Slight Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, ensure clear airway and administer oxygen. If not breathing, apply artificial respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Keep person warm, quiet and get medical attention.

Flash Point:  220-320°F

Autoignition Temperature: >500°F 

National Maritime Day

MAY 22, 2012 

National Maritime Day, May 22

Nav Zone

Speeding Ship Traffic

There have been incidents in Houston and on the River of ships creating a large wake that cause your lines to break. As with any incident it is important to obtain all the pertinent information and report it to the office. If this ever happens to you, there are a few important steps you need to take:

1. Make sure everything is maintained and under control.
2. Secure your tow.
3. Once everything is secure, get the name of the vessel or passing ships that caused the incident.
4. If the speed of the passing vessel is traveling too fast, report them to the VTS immediately.

USCG Rules of the Road Questions

INLAND ONLY.....Your power-driven vessel is overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake her on her starboard side. You should sound a whistle signal of __________.

a. one short blast
b. two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast
c. one prolonged and one short blast
d. at least five short blasts

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND..... A light signal of three flashes means __________.

a. "I am in doubt as to your actions"
b. "My engines are full speed astern"
c. "I desire to overtake you"
d. "I am operating astern propulsion"

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....What is NOT a distress signal?

a. Red flares or red rockets
b. Continuous sounding of fog signaling apparatus
c. International Code Flags "November" and "Charlie"
d. Basket hanging in the rigging

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all-round red over green lights on the mast if __________.

a. she is showing sidelights
b. her sidelights are combined and shown on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel
c. she is showing a stern light
d. her sidelights and stern light are combined in one lantern and shown on the mast

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND.....A vessel is considered to be "restricted in her ability to maneuver" under the Rules if she is __________.

a. at anchor
b. mine clearing
c. engaged in fishing
d. engaged in towing

Stern Shots

North bound view I-10 and the Atchafalaya River. by Elzie Ward, M/V MARRERO.

A nice size snake makes a visit to the M/V ANTIETAM. Note...Water Snake or Rat Snake?....let Gordie know.

The M/V BAFFIN BAY tripping the M/V SANDY POINT's barge w/b thru Galveston Causeway.

Nautical Trivia  

Early Steamboats in the Galveston region.

In the days of the Republic of Teaxas, a network of rivers and streams was used to transport cotton, logs, livestock, brick, and a wide variety of goods and supplies to and from the frontier towns, textile mills and other markets.  Because of limited overland transportation in Texas before the coming of the railroads, there was tremendous interest in river boat transportation.  For the most part, a steamboat "landing" was simply a spot near a plantation or small town where a steamboat could lay a stage plank to the shore.

The average steamboat was approximately 30 feet wide by 90 feet long with some as long as 200 feet long, drawing only three or four feet of water, being almost entirely above the surface.  A steamboat could average 75 miles a day upstream with good weather conditions.  For fuel, they burned mainly cottonwood and willow with the crew generally cutting the wood themselves.