With valves accounting for up to 70% of fugitive emissions (FE) from plants and refineries, tackling leakage is among the biggest obstacles to US industry achieving net zero by 2050. Identified as the loss of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), FE commonly occur in the plant environment through equipment leaks, flaring, evaporation, and spills. As 1% of the total of installed valves may be responsible for most of a plant’s emissions, effective component stem packing designs are vital to addressing this growing concern. Ronald Simon, principal engineer for Oil & Gas at CCI Valve Technology GmbH in Austria ( IMI CCI ), emphasized the importance of effective FE valve stem packing designs in reducing potential plant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including methane and CO2.
Specifically, he is urging facility stakeholders to review existing on-site packing solutions to ensure they meet the most up to date industry standards for FE and control valve qualification. “Control valves are among the most prevalent components that contribute to fugitive emissions in an industrial setting, with rising stem control valves proving especially susceptible to leakage,” explained Ronald. “Considering that fugitive emissions can account for up to 70% of total plant and refinery emissions, action must be taken to minimise the levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) currently emitted. Reviewing existing equipment, as well as specifying efficient and effective packing solutions that meet the highest possible standards, should therefore be a priority for plant equipment specifiers.”
To resolve this issue, IMI CCI has developed the EEEasy-Seal emission packing solution, which provides up to ISO Class AM FE leakage protection and is third-party certified to ISO 15848-1, the industrial standard for FE Control Valve testing. In contrast to conventional packing set designs with external springs, the EEEasy-Seal™ is live loaded via an internal spring utilising the internal hydraulic pressure to optimally energise the seal, resulting in a closed, low-maintenance design. “Maintenance and Plant Integrity teams have multiple demands on their time, including keeping all plant equipment operational and safe,” Ronald concluded.
“With this in mind, traditional low-emission packing solutions may pose a problem, as they could wear faster due to higher friction and require frequent maintenance on site. They require more upkeep and monitoring from increasingly time poor maintenance teams and give further cause for concern on unmanned platforms or vibration sensitive systems. “By developing technologies that use internal springs, this issue can be negated while also reducing the seal contact area, further reducing friction. As the IMI CCI EEEasy-Seal can be installed in a compact, fireproof packing box without external live loading or requiring continuous maintenance, it is well placed to tackle FE leakage concerns efficiently and effectively.”
About IMI Critical Engineering
IMI Critical Engineering (IMI Critical) has long been recognised as a world-leader in the provision of flow control solutions. Our products allow vital industries to operate safely, cleanly, reliably and efficiently, so that they can provide us with the energy, resources and materials that underpin modern lives. IMI Critical’s family of specialist companies design, manufacture and service bespoke valves and actuators that precisely control the flow of steam, gas and liquids under extremes of pressure and temperature, as well as intensely abrasive or corrosive operating conditions.
Our valves can be found in a myriad of industrial plants and processes around the world, enabling the production of oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and beverages, water and sanitation, pulp and paper, ethanol and sugar. Our products are also widely deployed on ships and submarines. Our engineering expertise means that we can make hazardous processes safer, cleaner and greener. By helping clients reduce emissions, improve safety, and make processes more efficient, we have a direct and positive impact on the world.
That is why we describe our purpose as "breakthrough engineering for a better world."