THE EFFECT OF SEALING SYSTEM ON ZERO FUGITIVE EMISSIONS AND GLOBAL WARMING

Abstract

Nowadays keeping the air clean is one of the most important aims in environmental protection. The
fugitive emissions especially Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and the ozone-precursors nitrogen oxides
(NOX) have a great impact on the quality of the atmospheric air. Worldwide fugitive emissions from leaking valves,
pumps and flanges amount to over a million metric tonnes per year. Elimination or reduction of fugitive emissions
could save industry many millions of dollars and prolong scarce resources.
Sealing system is the major contributing factor will be through the lowering of fugitive emissions. In this study,
various kind of fibre reinforced Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) sheet sealing materials and new developed
expanded graphite sheets were investigated. Experimental results shown that, the sealing performance has been
improved by the development in material technologies. Fibre base materials have higher permeability than
expanded graphite for both liquid and gas environments. They have adequate sealing performance to need for all
over applications. Expanded graphite shows better sealing performance than fibre base materials but it has lower
recovery.
As a result, for every specific application, careful selection, correct installation and operation according to the
performance envelope, regular inspection and maintenance must be considered for low or zero emission
requirements.