April 26, 2016 - ValvTechnologies, Inc., manufacturer of zero- leakage severe service isolation valve solutions, introduced a NexTech pulsejet valve with EcoPack™ stem packing solution for the reduction of fugitive emissions.
Reducing fugitive emissions is a leading concern in the fight against climate change. The EPA estimates that the production segment of the oil and natural gas industry is responsible for 45% of total methane emissions. In 2015, the first-ever plan to regulate emissions from this industry was launched: because valve leakage is responsible for more than 50% of total fugitive emissions, valves have been a considerable focus in the effort to reduce fugitive emissions.
ValvTechnologies is aiming to spur the reduction of fugitive emissions with the development of the pulsejet valve with EcoPack technology: a stem packing solution for high-cycle valves that meets stringent fugitive emissions requirements.
Pulsejet valves are designed to send a pulse of gas through a pipeline system. A trunnion-mounted ball valve, ValvTechnologies NexTech pulsejet valve is capable of 90° or 180° rotation in speeds as low as 0.5 seconds or faster: this fast actuation speed is what creates the gas “pulse” through the pipeline system. Pulsejet systems can be used to clean system filters, spray chemicals in an injection type system, or pulse debris/media through a pipeline to prevent clogging.
These systems cycle many thousands of times per day. Conventional packing systems cannot handle the abuse of the fast cycle speed, combined with the high cycle count. ValvTechnologies’ EcoPack solution was designed to address and overcome this challenge.
Typical stem sealing technology requires packing adjustment. With high-cycle valves, these adjustments would have to occur very often, causing disruptions in plant operation, safety concerns and non-compliance with tightening emissions regulations. ValvTechnologies’ pulsejet valve with EcoPack was recently tested at high pressure and line temperature to 450°F for over 500,000 cycles: lab results verified the solution and exceeded endurance testing standard performed while retaining a maximum leakage rate equivalent to ISO 15848-1 2006 Class BH for the entirety of the test, requiring zero adjustments or maintenance. This equals longer plant operation between maintenance intervals, improved site safety and less emissions from the stem packing.
This solution is ideal for users requiring a quickly-rotating valve that completes many cycles annually (i.e. 250,000 per year or more) and must also meet fugitive emissions requirements.
Features
- Packing requires zero adjustment or maintenance
- Capable of 500,000+ cycles
- Durable packing solution for fast cycle speeds of less than 0.5 seconds
Benefits
- Longer intervals of plant operation between maintenance schedules
- Safer plant operation due to less exposure of plant personnel to valves requiring packing adjustment
- Longer valve seal life
- Reduced emissions to comply with EPA fugitive emissions requirements