PALMYRA, N.Y. (May 9, 2016) – Garlock, a leading manufacturer of high-performance fluid sealing and pipeline protection products, in collaboration with a Chinese and US public-private partnership, has issued guidance on the potential impact of best practices for fugitive emission control in China.
Garlock’s message focuses on how Chinese chemical plants and refineries could reduce fugitive emissions and increase profitability simply through the installation of high performance valve packings and flange gasket materials. Garlock was one of ten technology providers involved in the collaboration with Jiangsu Province end users and regulators from China and the U.S.
“There are millions of valves and flanges in oil refineries and chemical plants throughout China, and data suggests that as many as 75 percent of these leak above acceptable levels due to the use of sub-standard sealing products and installation practices,” Garlock Principal Applications Engineer Jim Drago said. “Most end users are currently concerned with particulate emissions, but they are becoming more and more aware of the importance of eliminating and regulating volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.”
According to Drago, if these packings and gaskets are replaced by “best available control technology” (BACT), occupational safety for Chinese workers would improve, as most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other fugitive emissions are flammable and hazardous to breathe.
Drago was among Garlock subject matter experts to present at the Final Workshop & U.S. Air Pollution Control Technology Exhibition of the Technical Assistance Project For the China Air Quality Management Program. The project is funded by the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA), China Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), Jiangsu Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB), three municipalities in Jiangsu (Nanjing, Changzhou, and Suzhou) and the U.S. EPA. Over a period of two years, project team members have visited power plants and industrial manufacturing operations in Nanjing, Changzhou and Suzhou to discuss air pollution issues with the plant managers and municipal representatives.
About the Garlock Family of Companies
The Garlock family of companies is part of EnPro Industries (NYSE: NPO). Garlock is acknowledged as the global leader in high-performance fluid sealing products, committed to a culture of safety. Processing industries served include chemicals and petrochemicals, refining, pulp and paper, power generation, semiconductor, primary metals, food and pharmaceuticals, mining and original equipment manufacturers.
