ASSEMBLING a pressure gauge in a safety version with a valve prevents fugitive emissions, such as methane gas and other similar substances, from escaping during processes in the chemicals, petrochemicals and natural gas industries. Methane is regarded as a contributor to climate change via fugitive emissions.
The EMICOgauge pressure measuring system from WIKA has been designed to prevent fugitive emissions. Compared to similar combinations, the EMICO gauge system has been specially designed and, according to the company, it is the first of its kind to be leak-tested in its entirety in accordance with the requirements of TA Luft (VDI 2440) on fugitive emissions.
Cone/thread fitting prevents fugitive emissions
In principle, any pressure measuring instrument can be coupled with one of the WIKA fugitive-emission instrumentation valves. This is done using a mounting thread – which means that there is a leakage risk. The EMICOgauge system, instead, has a cone/thread fitting with a freely rotating adapter and a redundant sealing system (metal-to-metal sealing plus O-ring). The seals themselves are made of materials that are particularly resistant to chemical and thermal influences. WIKA guarantees the leak tightness of the assembly, even after being installed and removed twenty times.
In the conventional assembly of a pressure measuring instrument and valve, using a mounting thread, there are two potential points where fugitive emissions can escape. The EMICOgauge system eliminates such leakages due to its cone/thread fitting with a freely rotating adapter and redundant sealing system.
Protection for both people and processes
The measuring system meets the highest safety standards. It eliminates fugitive emissions from methane and other substances, permanently. It protects the environment, the processes and the people working on the plant. Methane, for example, not only has a high global warming potential, it is also highly flammable. The gas is also the reason why the instrumentation valve is combined with a pressure gauge. The measuring locations in the plant areas where methane flows through pipelines are mainly equipped with display instruments.
The EMICOgauge system measures pressures up to 420 bar (6 000 psi) with the model 2xx.30 pressure gauge in the S-3 safety version. This variant protects the user from injury in the event of a fault due to overpressure. For the second component of the measuring system, the valve, the following models in fugitive emission design are available, in accordance with ISO 15848-1 and TA Luft: the IVM monoflange and the IV1x and IV2x (block & bleed) needle valves.
The commissioning of the EMICOgauge system is carried out in line with the ‘plug and play’ principle.
