Fugitive Emission Monitoring from Foxboro Eckardt provides continued monitoring of packing leakage in bellows seal valve. In conjunction with a pressure switch gauge, the positioner (SRD991 or SRD960) can detect any damaging leakage. Fugitive emission monitoring system can be implemented easily on existing valves without additional cabling, and reduces exposure of personnel to a potentially deadly chemical.
Metallic bellows seals are used to keep a constant maximum tightness of the valve over time. However, these metallic bellows seals have a tendency, after a certain number of cycles, to crack, which can cause brutal rupture. It happens with no warning and the consequences can be extremely damaging. Foxboro Eckardt has developed a unique solution based on valve positioner and a pressure switch gauge, measuring the pressure directly in the bonnet. As soon as the pressure increases in the bonnet due to a failure in the bellows, the pressure gauge switches a binary input in the positioner to indicate an alarm. The positioner sends an alert to the control room and, if configured, can automatically drive the valve to a failsafe position.
The solution is Intrinsically Safe (SRD991) and Flameproof /Explosion proof (SRD960) certified and it has been patented by Foxboro US 6,112,638.