Which line carries excess gland-sealing steam away from the gland?

• A. Gland seal unloading line
• B. Gland exhaust line
• C. Main steam line
• D. Drain line

Answer: (A)

The gland seal unloading line. When a shaft gland is kept sealed with steam, any excess gland-sealing steam needs a path to leave the gland area so the packing isn’t flooded and back pressure doesn’t build up. The unloading line provides that dedicated outlet, carrying the surplus away from the gland to a proper dump or condensate system. The gland exhaust line serves to vent steam that has already fulfilled its sealing function, not specifically to remove excess, while the main steam line is simply the supply, and the drain line collects condensate rather than steam.