Fugitive Emisssion Test Standards for Valves

Valve fugitive emission test means controlling valve leakage to ensure system safety and environmental protection. The commonly used international and industry testing standards include EPA Method 21 from the United States, ISO 15848 from the International Organization for Standardization, Shell SHELL MESC SPE 77/312, TA Luft regulations from Germany, and API 624. These standards have their own emphasis on testing objects, media, methods, and leakage limits.

EPA Method 21

● Content: This standard is developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and is mainly used to detect the leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It specifies the method of using portable detection instruments (such as hydrogen flame ionization detectors) for leak detection of valves, flanges, and other equipment, but does not provide a specific classification of leak levels
● Characteristics: Belonging to local standard regulations, with a narrow scope of application, focusing on testing methods rather than performance grading

ISO 15848

● Content: This standard is divided into two parts:
● ISO 15848-1: specifies a classification system and identification procedure for sealing, durability, and temperature ratings for valve type testing. The test medium is helium or methane, and the leakage rate is divided into three levels: AH, BH, CH (helium) or AM, BM, CM (methane)
● ISO 15848-2: For product acceptance testing, it is required to pass prototype testing before production testing can proceed
● Key point: Suitable for industrial valves, emphasizing low leakage performance of valve stem sealing and valve body joints, testing needs to be completed by third-party institutions

SHELL MESC SPE 77/312

● Content: This standard was developed by Shell Oil Company as a supplement and modification to ISO 15848-2, specifically for production acceptance testing of valve fugitive emissions. It specifies testing procedures, acceptance criteria, and leakage level classification, applicable to facilities such as Shell refineries and chemical plants. ‌
● Relationship with ISO: Specific requirements (such as test variables and leakage limits) have been added on the basis of ISO 15848-2, but the unmodified parts are still based on the original ISO text

TA Luft Regulations

● Content: This regulation is a German technical specification mainly aimed at controlling leakage emissions from industrial equipment (including valves), requiring compliance with the "as low as possible leakage" (ALARP) principle. However, specific cases or detailed terms were not provided in the search results.

API 624

● Content: Developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), it is suitable for low leakage type testing of open stem and lift rotary stem valves with graphite packing. The leakage limit is 100 ppmv, and the testing is based on the principle of EPA Method 21. The valve size should be ≤ NPS 24 and the pressure rating should be ≤ Class 1500.

● Compared to other standards: Similar to ISO 15848-1, but API 624 focuses more on specific valve types and packing performance. ‌

Standard Comparison Summary