Valve packing is the largest source in most plants. Leak detection programs sniff each valve with a portable analyzer and count anything above a threshold, often 100 or 500 ppm, as a leak needing repair. Low-emission valves and packings are qualified by type tests such as ISO 15848-1, API 622 for packing, API 624 for rising stem valves and API 641 for quarter-turn valves, which cycle the valve hot and measure methane or helium leakage.
LDAR survey flagged 14 fugitive emissions leakers over 500 ppm on the unit, nearly all of them gate valve packing.
Also heard as
- FE
- fugitives
Related terms
Packing
Compressible rings packed around a valve stem to stop process fluid leaking out to atmosphere.
Weeping
Leaking a drop or wisp at a time from packing, a gasket, a threaded joint or a casting.
Gland
The part that presses down on the packing to load it against the stem, adjusted by the gland nuts.
Repack
To pull the old packing out of a valve stuffing box and install a new set of rings.