SPETECH^® Laboratory performs tests for valves acc. ISO 15848-1 standard, which is main international testing standard for industrial valves. This offer is directed to manufacturers of all kind of control and on/off valves.

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ISO 15848-1 General Information

In January 2006, through the guidance of an international team, the ISO 15848-1 (Industrial valves — Measurement, test and qualification procedures for fugitive emissions — Part 1: Classification system and qualification procedures for type testing of valves) was issued. ISO 15848-1 is a valve-type test used for shut-off valves and control valves, focusing on the performance of the whole valve as a package – including stem packing and body seals. The standard specifies testing procedures for the evaluation of external leakage of valve stem seals and body joints of isolation and control valves, intended for application in volatile air pollutants and hazardous fluids. The main focus is on the performance of the valve’s stuffing box/stem, but every test starts with measuring the body valve leakage.

Tightness Classes

There are three tightness classes a valve can achieve while qualifying for ISO 15848-1:

• For methane: AM ≤ 50 ppm, BM ≤ 100 ppm, CM ≤ 500 ppm.
• For helium: AH ≤ 1.0E-05 mg/(s*m), BH ≤ 1.0E-04 mg/(s*m), and CH ≤ 1.0E-02 mg/(s*m).

If the leak rate surpasses a tightness class limit, one stem seal adjustment (SSA) may be done – one per endurance class. If the valve still exceeds a leakage rate of C after the stem seal adjustment or surpasses a 50 ppm leakage rate on the valve’s body seal, then it is disqualified.

Endurance Classes

The three endurance classes for shut-off (CO) and control (CC) valves are:

• CO1/CC1 – 205 cycles
• CO2/CC2 – 1500 cycles
• CO3/CC3 – 2500 cycles

To reach a higher endurance class, the previous one must be attained first. For control valves:

• CC1 – 20000 cycles
• CC2 – 60000 cycles
• CC3 – 100000 cycles

Temperature Classes

The temperature classes range from: -196°C, -46°C, -29°C, room temperature (RT), 200°C, and 400°C

Testing Pressure

The test pressure used will be according to the P/T rating of the valve material.

Leak Measurement Methods

There are several leakage measurement methods specified:

• Vacuum Method: Involves the use of a vacuum chamber, in which the whole tested fragment of the installation or its part is sealed in a container. A helium/methane/hydrogen spectrometer is used to measure emission by creating a vacuum in the container and detecting helium particles passing through parts of the pressure equipment.
• Sniffing Method: This involves sniffing the device at places that can potentially cause leaks (joints, cleanouts, lubricators, welds, etc.). A helium/methane/hydrogen spectrometer is used as the leak detector.
• Bagging Method: A combination of the two classic leakage detection methods.

For each test, a detailed report is prepared containing information on the locations and volume of the leak.

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Focus of Measurement

The testing plan ISO 15848-1 is focused on the whole valve as a package. The norm specifies testing procedures for the evaluation of external leakage of valve stem seals and body joints of isolation and control valves, intended for application in volatile air pollutants and hazardous fluids. The performance of the valve’s stuffing box/stem is the main focus of 15848-1, but every test starts with measuring the body valve leakage.

Final Conclusion

Each of the valve testing standards is relevant for valve testing parameters, but which to use depends on the end-user test requirements. However, ISO 15848-1 has a wider range of test options for the end-user. Compared to API testing, which only uses methane as a medium and has a determined maximum temperature and pressure rating, ISO 15848-1 can use helium or methane as the medium, has a wide range of temperatures to choose from, and the pressure depends on the P/T rating of the valve. Also, if the valve surpasses a leakage rate of 100 ppm, according to API, the valve is disqualified. ISO 15848-1 has tightness classes (A – C) and one SSA per endurance class, giving the valve a broader range of acceptability. Since ISO 15848-1 offers this wide range of testing, the end-user can choose to test valves according to their functionality in their given application. Because of this, it is expected that ISO 15848-1 will become the common standard in the US in the future for emissions testing on valves.

Approval

SPETECH^® Testing Laboratory is officially approved according to EN ISO/IEC 17025. The approval is done by TÜV Rheinland organization and has been valid since 2014. Continuously since 1998, SPETECH^® has been a member of ESA European Sealing Association – the main organization in Europe dealing with industrial sealings and fugitive emissions.