Colorado has recently adopted some of the toughest fugitive emissions standards in the country.  Operators and maintenance personnel are being challenged to increase maintenance programs, and develop preventive measures to minimize the potential for fugitive emissions. In addition many operators are implementing equipment monitoring plans and systems.  Plus, the new rules require existing storage tanks comply with pollution limits that only apply to new tanks under federal law. Challenging to say the least.

Anticipating the new fugitive emission requirements, researchers and product developers within the fluid sealing industry have develop a full line of Low Emission fluid sealing products.   These fluid sealing Low Emission technologies are made from improved materials and improved gasket designs.   Selecting which product is appropriate for a given application is key.  The acronym STAMP—can serve as a general guide to ensure correct gasket selection. The initial S stands for the size of the flanges to be sealed; T stands for temperature; A is for the actual application (flanges, bolts, equipment, etc.); M is for media (liquids, gases, chemicals, water, steam, etc.); and P is for pressure. Once this information is gathered a proper fluid sealing solution can be used.

With the proper fluid sealing solution every flanged joint, valve bonnet, packing gland, threaded fitting can meet or exceed the new fugitive emissions standards.