An October, 2015 article in the Edmonton Journal highlighted the issue with fugitive emissions from valves, pipelines and other equipment used within the Canadian oil and gas industry. Because fugitive emissions contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming, federal and provincial governments are under increasing pressure to enact legislation, similar to what has been done in the USA. In fact, in March of this year, the Canadian government announced its intention to introduce regulations for reducing methane emissions, including fugitive emissions, from the oil and gas sector.
Fugitive emissions are defined as any chemical in physical form that can leak unexpectedly from a facility or equipment. These emissions are important because they contribute significantly to greenhouse gases and global warming. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that valves may account for as much as 60 percent of all fugitive emissions.
The steps that can be taken to reduce fugitive emissions from valves include control strategies, and leak detection and monitoring. An integral part of any control strategy is minimizing the risk of leak through the use of certified low-leak (Low E) valve packing.
In the USA, the EPA has developed LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) consent decrees which not only define performance parameters for valves, but which also require a written guarantee to be provided by valve and packing manufacturers. The LDAR decrees specify the performance parameters for Low E packing. Further information on the EPA decrees for valve packing can be found in this blog.
Teadit 2236 Low E Valve Packing for Fugitive Emissions Service
As a leading provider of gaskets and compression packing, Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) is already well positioned to service the needs of customers seeking Low E valve packing for fugitive emissions service. In addition to supplying Low E packing, our application experts are keeping abreast of developments in the North American market as fugitive emissions increasingly comes under regulatory control. Recently, we attended the Fugitive Emissions Summit Americas, held June 13-14 in Houston, Texas. Attending this event allowed to us extend our knowledge base and capabilities to better meet the expectations and needs of customers seeking Low E compression packing.
To service customers’ Low E packing needs, CRGI is currently supplying Teadit style 2236 valve packing for fugitive emissions service. This certified Low E valve packing is self-lubricating, non-hardening, dimensionally stable and resistant to gases and fluids as well as heat, pressure and chemicals. The high temperature flexible graphite and Inconel® filament jacket in this packing provides mechanical stability, while the advanced construction provides leakage control and high integrity in steam service.
Teadit style 2236 satisfies both the requirements of EPA Enhanced LDAR directives and the European Union’s IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) directive. It is also TA-Luft approved and conforms to the API 607, 622, 624, and ISO 15848 standards.
Due to its physical properties and ability to minimize friction, Teadit style 2236 packing is ideal for valves and can be used within a broad range of applications. The packing will maintain low stem torque values even when high installation stresses are applied. This characteristic is important in allowing a valve to actuate effectively and makes style 2236 ideal for a broad range of applications.
To find out more about Teadit style 2236 Low E valve packing for fugitive emissions service, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.