Back in March, when we launched our first Flame Arrester/Breather Valve combination known as the FAB Valve™ Series, we knew this would be one of the most successful products in our expanding portfolio.

Our customers had identified the need for a cost-effective solution for tank storage applications that required the use of both an end-of-line flame arrester and a pressure/vacuum relief (or breather) valve. The talented scientists and engineers in our New Product Development team set to work and designed a solution that incorporated a RE-Flow™ Deflagration Flame Arrester and an integral Pressure & Vacuum Relief Valve. The resulting Flame Arrester Breather or FAB Valve^TM delivers exactly what had been requested – a high-performance, lightweight and cost-effective solution that is both patent protected and quite simply, the best on the market.

The cost savings come at a time when the effects of Covid-19 are forcing tank storage operators to look for every opportunity to reduce both capital and operating costs.  The effects of global lockdowns have resulted in huge reductions in both the demand and price of fossil fuels.  This has had a knock-on effect in the terminals where cost considerations have become more important than ever.

The lower cost of fossil fuels has also brought about an increased demand for additional storage.  As a consequence, new tanks are being built, and old ones re-purposed, at record levels and this is where the FAB Valve^TM comes into its own. It has obviously been designed and developed to protect tanks and process equipment from excessive pressure and vacuum and also from atmospheric deflagrations. However, its unique and lightweight design also facilitates easy installation and simple maintenance, as the flame arrester element can be visually checked for blockages without having to be dismantled.

With a recession looming, companies are looking to conserve product from evaporation losses whist ensuring the equipment complies with the relevant EPA and/or API venting regulations.

The new FAB Valve™ Series incorporates Elmac’s E-Flow™ enhanced crimped ribbon technology in the flame arrester element. The channel dimensions of the elements are optimised for deflagration protection whilst ensuring world-leading pressure drop and flow performance characteristics, with minimal maintenance requirements. In the event of external ignition, the flame arrester prevents flame transmission from entering the piping systems and tanks.

The valve’s unique operating model facilitates self-draining of the flame arrester element. This ensures minimal clogging and allows visual inspection of the element under normal operating conditions. In short, the new FAB Valve™ provides a cost-effective, high-performance solution with minimal maintenance for use in the majority of tank storage applications.

The FAB Valve™ is ATEX certified for gases in Explosion Groups IIA1, IIA, IIB1, IIB2 & IIB3 and the valves have been type-tested to EN ISO 16852 and approved according to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.