As global environmental regulations tighten, the industrial sector is facing a massive challenge: Fugitive Emissions. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) leaking from valve stems account for over 60% of a plant’s total fugitive emissions.
To combat this, the American Petroleum Institute developed the API 622 standard. If you are exporting valves to the USA, Europe, or the Middle East, understanding API 622 is critical to meeting tender requirements and protecting the environment.
1. What Exactly is API 622?
API 622 is a rigorous “type test” for valve packing. Unlike standard pressure tests, API 622 evaluates how a packing material performs over a long period under extreme mechanical and thermal stress.
To pass API 622, the packing must undergo:
1,510 Mechanical Cycles: The valve stem is moved up and down 1,510 times to simulate years of operation.
5 Thermal Cycles: The temperature is swung from ambient to 260°C (500°F) repeatedly.
The 100 PPM Limit: Throughout the entire test, the leakage of methane gas must stay below 100 parts per million (ppm).
2. Why “Standard” Packing Fails Where API 622 Succeeds
Most standard graphite packings lose their volume or “shrink” when cycled at high temperatures. This creates a tiny gap between the stem and the packing, allowing gases to escape.
API 622 Certified Packing is engineered differently:
High-Purity Graphite: Utilizes premium expanded graphite with high carbon content to ensure minimal weight loss at high temperatures.
Corrosion Inhibitors: Includes active inhibitors to prevent the “pitting” of the valve stem.
Lubricant Retention: Uses specialized surface treatments that maintain a low friction coefficient without “washing away” during CIP or high-pressure steam cleaning.
3. The Business Value of Low-E Compliance
Why should a buyer pay more for API 622 certified packing?
Avoid Legal Penalties: In regions with strict EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) laws, excessive VOC leakage leads to massive fines. API 622 is the buyer’s “compliance insurance.”
Personnel Safety: Reducing the escape of toxic or flammable gases significantly lowers the risk of fire or inhalation injuries for on-site workers.
Future-Proofing: With the global push toward Net Zero, plants are retrofitting old valves with API 622 packing to meet new carbon footprint targets.
4. API 622 vs. API 624: What’s the Difference?
It is important to clarify these two often-confused standards:
API 622: Tests the Packing Material itself.
API 624: Tests the Complete Valve Assembly (the valve + the packing).
The Rule: You cannot have an API 624 certified valve unless you are using an API 622 certified packing.
5. Our Commitment to Zero Leakage
At our facility, we understand that “Good Enough” is no longer enough for the oil and gas industry. We offer:
Certified Low-E Solutions: Valves equipped with API 622/624 compliant sealing systems.
Methane-Tested Reliability: Performance guaranteed to stay below the 100 ppm threshold.
Material Traceability: Full documentation for graphite purity and reinforcement alloy grades.
Conclusion: Clean Air is Good Business
Investing in API 622 certified packing isn’t just about following the law; it’s about engineering a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable future. By choosing Low-E valves, you are reducing product loss and protecting the atmosphere simultaneously.
