67LE Valves on a 4-Section Glass Gage: Shipment to a Major Midwest Refinery
- Jun 7, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 6
We recently shipped three 4-section, glass series size 8, transparent close hookup series 20 gages (48TCH20) bridle assemblies with 67LE valves and illuminators to a major refinery in the Midwest. Continuing on our Low-E topic, these 67LE valves are low-emission certified to API 624, providing compliance with EPA standards (see our companion article on what API 624 testing actually involves).
Understanding the Gage Designation
The "48TCH20" designation packs several specifications into a compact code:
4 — 4-section bridle assembly (four connected gage sections)
8 — Glass series size 8
TCH — Transparent Close Hookup construction
20 — Series 20 valve configuration
A 4-section bridle assembly means the level indication spans four connected glass sections rather than a single gage — used when the vessel's level range needs to be observed across a greater vertical distance than a single glass section can cover, with sections connecting to provide continuous indication across the full range.
What Makes 67LE Valves Distinct: Offset Pattern
67LE valves use an offset pattern design. Valve bodies are constructed so the gage connections are offset 7/8" from the centerline of the vessel connections.
Why This Matters:
By removing the vent or drain plug, the interior of a top and bottom connected gage can be swabbed (cleaned) without disassembling the gage. This offset geometry creates the physical clearance needed to run a cleaning tool through the connection without having to break down the entire gage assembly first — a meaningful maintenance time-saver on gages that require periodic interior cleaning.
Union Gage Connection
The 67LE also comes furnished with a union gage connection, which provides two practical benefits:
Rotational Adjustment
A top and bottom connected gage can be rotated to any desired angle for convenient visibility. This allows the gage to be oriented for optimal viewing from wherever operators are positioned, rather than being fixed at whatever angle the original piping connection dictates.
Maintenance Without Draining
The union connection makes it possible to remove the gage without removing the valves or draining liquid from the vessel — a feature that saves significant time when gages need to be cleaned or maintained. Without this feature, gage maintenance could require a full vessel drain-down, extending downtime considerably for what might otherwise be a quick cleaning or glass replacement task.
Why This Combination Suits Refinery Applications
Refineries operate under some of the strictest fugitive emissions compliance requirements of any industry, making API 624-certified valves like the 67LE a standard specification rather than an optional upgrade. Combined with the offset pattern's cleaning accessibility and the union connection's maintenance flexibility, this valve and gage combination addresses both regulatory compliance and practical day-to-day operability — two considerations that matter equally in a high-throughput refinery environment where both emissions compliance and minimizing maintenance downtime are constant priorities.
Applications
This valve and gage configuration is well suited for:
Refining: High-throughput process vessels requiring both emissions compliance and maintenance efficiency
Chemical Processing: Applications combining regulatory requirements with frequent gage cleaning needs
Any Multi-Section Bridle Assembly: Vessels requiring level indication across an extended vertical range
Learn More
For specification details on 67LE valves, bridle assembly configurations, or API 624 compliance for your refinery or process facility, contact Clark-Reliance's technical team.
📧 sales@clark-reliance.com📞 +1 (440) 572-1500
