SEALING DEVICE FOR A PISTON ROD OF A RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR

In order to provide a sealing device (15) for sealing a piston rod (8) of a reciprocating compressor (1) at compressor standstill, which enhances the safety of operation, the sealing device (15) comprises a number of first packing retainers (18), each retainer including a retaining opening (18a) in which a first packing ring (19) is arranged, a second packing retainer (20), including a retaining opening (20a) in which a second packing ring (21) is arranged, the second retainer (20) being positioned closer to the second axial device end (15a) than the number of first packing retainers (18) in an axial direction of the sealing device (15), wherein the second packing ring (21) is an uncut ring, comprising a continuous inner circumferential sealing surface (21a), the second packing ring (21) being configured to seal the piston rod (8) at standstill of the compressor (1), wherein the sealing device (15) further comprises a support passage (28) having a first support passage end (28a), a second support passage end (28b) and a valve (29) for opening and closing the support passage (28), the support passage (28) being configured to vent at least a gas, leaking from the first axial device end (15a) in the direction of the second axial device end (15b) past at least one of the number of first packing rings (19), from the first support passage end (28a) to the second support passage end (28b), wherein the sealing device (15) further comprises an unobstructed vent passage (31) having a first vent passage end (31a) and a second vent passage end (31b), the vent passage (31) being configured to vent a gas, leaking from the first axial device end (15a) in the direction of the second axial device end (15b) past the second packing ring (21), from the first vent passage end (31a) to the second vent passage end (31b).