Certified Low-E Valves

Effects of consent decree compliance on certified low E valves and certified Low-­E packing procurement and approvals

In old movies about the beginning of the petroleum industry, a well was drilled with hope and promise and just when everyone was about to give up, the ground would shake and a giant plume of black liquid would shoot into the air, covering the land, plants and drillers, who danced around whooping and hollerin’.

This might also be what was considered early leak detection. Things have tightened up since then.

Now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 60% of fugitive leaks come from valves, which makes them very interested in valve leak performance. A consent decree means that the plant did not meet the EPA’s standards for fugitive emissions and specifies the changes required to avoid a permanent shut down. This involves the implementation of a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program for the plant.