A Model to Characterize and Predict Fugitive Emissions from Flange Joints

摘要

The new model describing the gaseous transport through graphite gaskets is based on the assumption of a flow in the transition regime through nano-scale capillaries, using the Maxwellian wall-slip boundary condition for rarefied gases. Together with an earlier published model describing the liquid transport in graphite gaskets, it enables the characterization of fugitive emissions of volatile organic compounds from fluid-charged flange joints in chemical and petrochemical plants as a function of medium properties, pipe pressure, and gasket stress. Additionally, combination of the models allows predicting the emission rates of gases by experiments with liquids as the emitting fluid. Finally, recommendations are made to improve the gaskets with respect to their sealing performance towards gases.