TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Hidden Leaks: The Role of Bellows Sealed Valves in Fugitive Emissions Service
Safety and environmental stewardship are essential in industrial settings, yet many industries grapple with a largely invisible problem that poses serious risks to both human health and the environment: fugitive emissions. These emissions, which often go undetected, can manifest as hazardous leaks of gases or vapors from equipment, contributing to air pollution, health hazards, and environmental damage. It is for this reason that bellows seal valves ought to be seriously considered as a viable way to address fugitive emissions. With their seamless, welded connection these valves provide a highly effective means of containing potential leaks, ensuring that industries can operate more safely while minimizing their environmental footprint.
By Melanie Vanderlaan and Dan Fisher, The Dixon Group.
Fugitive emissions are the unintentional release of gasses or vapors from pressurized equipment due to faulty seals, connections, or other mechanical failures. These emissions can escape from various industrial sources such as valves, pumps, flanges, and other components in chemical processing plants, oil refineries, and manufacturing facilities. The leaks often go unnoticed, due to their diffuse nature, and are a significant contributor to environmental pollution. Fugitive emissions differ from exhausts or deliberately vented process emissions, making them difficult to quantify and monitor. Key chemicals associated with fugitive emissions include volatile organic compounds( VOCs), greenhouse gasses( GHGs), and hazardous air pollutants( HAPs).
Types of fugitive emissions
VOCs are organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature, contributing to air pollution. A common example is benzene, a compound
APRIL 2025 • FUGITIVE EMISSIONS JOURNAL 25