Fugitive emissions, ppm, consent decrees and low-E packings: These are the words that make up a lexicon unknown in the valve repair world 25 years ago. This new vocabulary is one that anyone who deals with valves needs to learn so that the industry is prepared for what’s to come.

“For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost,” is the final line of an old proverb that reminds us that seemingly unimportant acts or omissions can have grave consequences. An infamous example of this exists in one of America’s most tragic incidents, the 1986 Challenger shuttle disaster.

If you’ve been around valves for a while, you’ve likely heard the term “new surplus,” plus a few other saltier descriptions for valves that are offered for sale. A joke in the industry concerning the phrase “new surplus valves” goes like this: In describing his valve product, the shifty valve salesman said it is new surplus: “surplus to me and new to you.”

In highly-corrosive chemical and refining applications where in-line and atmospheric sealing is critical, sleeved plug valves provide essential defense against leaks and fugitive emissions. Because they typically face harsh conditions, repair or replacement is an important consideration. However, before those steps have to be taken, there’s a simple step to make them last longer: tightening the bolts.