Clarke Valve announces the API 641 certification of its proprietary Shutter Valve design, the first control valve to achieve this certification of low fugitive-emission performance.

The API 641 standard applies to all stem seal materials and requires a stringent maximum allowable leakage of 100 parts per million by volume (PPMv). This API test standard calls for 610 cycles of the valve​ under extreme temperature fluctuations to evaluate emissions performance over an accelerated life cycle.

Fugitive emissions from legacy valve designs in industrial facilities are a major contributor to air pollution and global warming. Kyle Daniels, President & CEO said, “Most people are unaware that 80% of refinery methane emissions come from traditional valve stems. Since the Shutter Valve’s unique design provides a superior seal at the valve stem, it drastically reduces these emissions.”

The patented Shutter Valve, by Clarke Valve, was independently tested by Yarmouth Research and Technology, LLC, who certified the valve passed testing with less than 20 PPMv of leakage, well below the 100 PPMv limit.  “​We are excited to offer the only full-bore control valve in the world that eliminates virtually all fugitive emissions,” said Daniels.

The Shutter Valve’s distinct design, already the best performing control valve in the world, is now also the most environmentally friendly control valve ever certified.

Clarke Valve​ is the creator of the revolutionary Shutter Valve, a full-bore control valve developed utilizing advanced aerospace design techniques. This innovative valve design provides ideal attributes for industrial control valves, including unsurpassed flow rate, zero pressure drop, zero leakage, and reduced cavitation & pitting, resulting in improved wear/maintenance characteristics and precise flow control. Clarke Valve products are custom-engineered to meet customer needs and assembled at their headquarters in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Yarmouth Research and Technology​ is an independent testing laboratory in North Yarmouth, Maine that provides services to manufacturers and end-users of chemical process equipment, such as valves, packing, gaskets, seals and other flow control products. All testing is certified by a Professional Engineer.