Manage Fugitive Emission Control With These Key Components

Intensifying efforts to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gasses and the effects of anthropogenic climate change has resulted in demanding regulation for fugitive emission control. The Pan-Canadian Framework On Clean Growth and Climate Change has called for a 40-45% reduction of methane emissions from 2012 levels by 2025. There is a further incentive for Alberta-based operations to address fugitive emission control sooner rather than later. Applicable facilities can comply with the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction regulation by improving operating efficiency, offsetting emissions, or purchasing credits. With credits currently set at $40/tonne and set to increase to $170/tonne by 2030, early and frequent leak detection and repair to operations can save money today and reduce potential costs related to greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

The Danger of Fugitive Emissions

In comparison to venting, which is the controlled and intentional release of methane during processing, fugitive emissions are unintentional. Fugitive emissions can occur at any point in processing, including valves (the supermajority of leak points), pumps, flanges, compressors, tanks, and agitators. The environmental consequences of fugitive emissions are dire: methane possesses thermal trapping characteristics an order of magnitude higher than carbon dioxide. 

Moreover, the loss of a clean-burning fuel source to the environment represents products an operation could be using on-site or profits that could be gained from sales. 

Immediate safety issues are also a concern, with methane becoming a flammable mixture in the atmosphere at standard temperature and pressure between concentrations of 5.4-17%. Methane is an asphyxiation risk in extreme leaks where the concentration is far above the flammability range. Therefore, any facility where fugitive emissions could be present has plenty to gain in terms of worker safety, environmental stewardship, and profits by maintaining processes through component replacement and leak detection and reduction.

Valves as the Cornerstone of Fugitive Emission Control

Outfitting a system to reduce fugitive emissions can be daunting due to the sheer scope of components involved. To begin, valves should be the first point of investigation: valves represent approximately 60% of all fugitive emissions, with 80% of those emissions occurring at the valve stem. The valve packing fulfills the role of stem seal, and its condition and quality, therefore, reflects the majority of the valve’s fugitive emission control capabilities. Typically, valves use compression sealing, where a soft, pliable material is placed in the empty space between the reciprocating member and the valve body. As the total number of valves can easily number in the thousands throughout an entire operation, detection can be a grueling brute force task. There are a variety of standards that will govern valve usage, including API Standards 622, 624, and 641. These standards create a certification for low emission manufactured components. While systems such as leak detection sensors will be a crucial part of any system, service or replacement of older or worn valves will deliver fugitive emission control to the source. 

The Low-Cost Benefits of Seal Flush System Maintenance

Seal flush systems represent another opportunity for leakage if not properly maintained. While leaks at seals account for less of the total fugitive emission output than valves, the similar prevalence of seals throughout an entire operation represents an overall huge potential gain in emission reductions. Sealing devices include the following:

• Gaskets: A static seal between stationary components can be used on flanges to connect piping, valves, compressors, pumps, instrumentation, and other components. Due to a large number of flanges in an operation, repair and servicing of gaskets should be a major concern of anyone looking to address fugitive emissions.
• Mechanical seals: Seal rotating shafts at the entrance of pumps, centrifugal compressors, and agitators to ensure a fluid seal where there is relative motion between shaft and housing.
• Compression packing: This is usually a braided fiber to seal valve stems and reciprocating compressor shafts. Valve stems are the greatest single part responsible for fugitive emissions.
• Expansion joints: These provide a flexible connection between pipe flange connectors and interfacing equipment. 
• Elastomeric and polymeric seals: These custom molded or machined components are used in pressurized systems.

The cost of seal technology can be considered infinitesimal to the total costs of operations. Seal flush systems support will ensure your systems are running efficiently and optimally with minimal need for downtime.

Find, Fix, and Future-Proof Against Fugitive Emissions

For a variety of industries, Edmonton Valve & Fitting offers consultation services that can reduce fugitive emissions and ensure a system is operating safely and efficiently. Our Field Advisors don’t just stop there, however. Let us help you tackle your current fugitive emission control goals and prepare your system for efficiency.