FUGITIVE EMISSIONS AND

API-624 TESTING SUMMARY

Fugitive Emissions (FE) Key Drivers• EPA implements “consent decrees” on refinery

and chemical processing end users– Include fines for emissions over established limits– Requires implementation of LDAR (leak detection and

repair) programs– Leads to low FE-requirements for valves and sealing

systems• Industry defines low FE products

– API 622: Type Testing of Valve Packing for FE• Released in August 2006, 2nd edition October 2011

– API 624: Type Testing of Valves Equipped with Graphite Packing for FE

• Released in February 2014

CONSENTDECREE

ENHANCEDLDAR

program

Certified Low‐E Valves 

w/ Low Emissions 

Sealing System

requires the implementationand defines the directives

prescribes the use ofLOW-E TECHNOLOGY

ACCEPTABLE EMISSION LEVEL< 100 ppmv

Consent Decrees

API 622 vs. API 624API 622

• Applicable to rising and rotating stem designs, i.e. gate and globe valves

• Three tests:– Cycle test in fixture, not a

process valve• <500 ppmv• One adjustment allowed

– Corrosion test– Packing Materials

Composition• Aimed at Packing

Manufacturers (Teadit, Chesterton, Garlock, etc.)

API 624• Applicable to rising and

rotating stem designs, i.e. gate and globe valves, with graphitic packing

• Cycle test only - 310 cycles, 4 ambient, 3 thermal segments (same as 622)– <100 ppmv– No packing adjustments

• Aimed at valve manufacturers

Sources of Fugitive Emissions

Valves60%

Flanges5%

Drains9%

Compressors 10%

Pumps12%

Relief Valves4%

Source: US EPA

Fugitive Emissions Sources

API 624 Type Testing for FE• 310 mechanical cycles

– Three 50 ambient segments

– Three 50 thermal segments @ 500°F

– One 10 ambient segment• Emissions readings

taken at the start and end of each cycle, must remain below 100 ppmv (test media is methane)

Sealing System Elements

GLAND YOKE

GLANDEYEBOLT

EYEBOLT NUT

STUFFING BOX

STEM

Packing Selection• Low FE packing is more

dense/robust with enhanced materials

• Flexible graphite yarn + inconel wire mesh

• Corrosion inhibitor + low emission impregnation

• No end rings required• Non-hardening• Fire safe• High chemical resistance

API 624 Key Success Factors• Valve and packing manufacturer relationship

– Quality product and good communication yields good results

– Eyebolt nut / Gland flange torque values– Machining tolerances (stem, stuffing box, gland,

etc.)– Lubrication

• Third-party tester that is competent– Integrity of test stand– Revolution speed– Safety, test medium is methane

API 624 Misc Setup Photos

API 624 Type Testing Results

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

IN IT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING INIT IAL ENDING

0 ‐50 51 ‐100 101 ‐150 151 ‐200 201 ‐250 251 ‐300 301 ‐310

CYCLE  NUMBER

METHAN

E LEAK

AGE RA

TE (P

PMV)

LADISH  VALVES  TEADIT  2236  API  624  TESTING  RESULTS  (<100  PPMV)3/4" 150 1‐1/2" 600 4" 150 4" 600 4" 1500 12" 300 12" 600 20" 150

Highest reported value at 12 ppmv

API-624 TESTING SUMMARY • Ladish completed API‐624 testing in early October 2014 on its globe and gate product line.

• TEADIT 2236™ packing, an API‐622 certified packing system, was utilized in all testing.

• Per API‐624 definition the following product lines are now certified: ½” thru 24” CL150 gate valves ½” thru 14” CL300 gate valves ½” thru 14” CL600 gate valves   ½” thru 6” CL900 gate valves ½” thru 6” CL1500 gate valves ½” thru 14” CL150 globe valves ½” thru 14” CL300 globe valves

• All certs are included on the following slides.  Reports available upon request.

API-624 TESTING CERTS