Prevention Is the Most Scalable Path to Emissions Reduction

Summary

Magnetically Actuated Valves (MAVs) use a sealed, solid-wall design and powerful magnetics to eliminate dynamic seals, enabling true zero-emission performance by preventing fugitive emissions for process valves. By eliminating leak paths even in extreme temperatures or pressure conditions, MAVs remove one of the most persistent failure and pain points in flow control systems: fugitive emissions leaks from process valves.

This design enables true emissions-free actuation, higher reliability in extreme environments, and reduced lifetime maintenance costs. As industries face tightening emissions regulations, higher safety expectations, and growing ESG accountability, magnetically actuated valves are emerging as a practical, scalable solution to eliminate fugitive emissions at the source for oil and gas, LNG, aerospace, hydrogen, and other major industries.

Key Takeaways

• Magnetically actuated valves transmit torque without mechanical penetration, removing emission leak paths entirely
• Hermetic sealing eliminates valve stem leaks and fugitive emissions by design, preventing fugitive emissions
• Zero-emission performance is engineered into the valve
• Maintenance costs are reduced and product is kept in the pipes at all locations where magnetically actuated valves are installed
• Proven in extreme environments including cryogenic, high-pressure, and aerospace applications and through NASA, API, and ISO validation
• Well suited for industries facing increasing regulatory, safety, and ESG requirements including oil and gas, hydrogen, LNG/cryogenics, aerospace, and defense

What Are Magnetically Actuated Valves?

Magnetically actuated valves (MAVs), are leak-free flow control devices that use magnetic coupling instead of static and dynamic seals, enabling zero-emission performance by eliminating valve stem leaks and preventing fugitive emissions entirely. 

From oil and gas production facilities, to transmission pipelines, LNG processing facilities, refineries, and aerospace applications, magnetically actuated valves eliminate fugitive emissions, reduce the LDAR burden, and keep product in the pipes when these valves replace traditional valves.

Torque is transmitted from the external actuator on a MAV to the internal valve mechanism with gear operation, or can also direct drive the valve, so the chamber is fully sealed. Allowing MAVs to work in all size and pressure classes. 

Used extensively across the oil and gas, LNG, and aerospace sectors, MAVs can be applied to any valve in any industry.

Key Operating Principles of Magnetically Actuated Valves:

• Magnetic actuation
  High-strength magnets transmit torque from the external actuator to the internal valve mechanism without direct contact. This allows precise valve control while maintaining a fully sealed barrier.
• Hermetically sealed chamber
  Internal components are isolated from the external environment, protecting them from dust, moisture, corrosive chemicals, and process gases.
• No valve stem penetration
  Because there is no physical valve stem passing through the valve body, traditional leak paths are eliminated entirely.
• Precise, smooth control
  Magnetic coupling provides consistent torque transmission, even in extreme pressure or temperature conditions where mechanical components typically degrade.

The result is a valve system that combines precision control with long-term reliability, without exposing wear points to the process or environment.

Why Do Traditional Valves Leak?

Traditional valves rely on dynamic and static seals to transmit motion from the actuator into the valve body. These seals are inherently vulnerable because they degrade with every valve cycle.

Over time, degradation occurs due to:

• Pressure cycling and vibration
• Thermal expansion and contraction
• Corrosive or abrasive process media
• Normal mechanical wear

As packing degrades, leakage becomes unavoidable, leading to fugitive emissions, safety risks, unplanned maintenance, and regulatory exposure. Even well-maintained valves require frequent inspection and repacking to manage this risk.

How Do Magnetically Actuated Valves Deliver Zero-Emission Performance?

Magnetically actuated valves take a fundamentally different approach to fugitive emissions by eliminating the root cause of leakage. Rather than attempting to manage emissions, MAVs prevent valve stem leakage entirely. Using a solid-wall chamber, the MAV encapsulates valve stems and packing to fully contain emissions. 

Magnetically driven valves mean no stems, and no leaks. This shift represents a move from maintenance-heavy designs to engineered prevention.

What Are The Benefits of Magnetically Actuated Valves?

Magnetically actuated valves deliver benefits across operations, safety, cost, and ESG. Core benefits include:

• Zero fugitive emissions
  Eliminating valve stem penetrations removes one of the most common sources of leaks in the energy industry.
• Keep product in the pipes
  Sealed valve chambers mean the product stays where it belongs and leaks are eliminated, regardless of molecular size.

• Reduced maintenance costs
  With no packing to adjust or replace, maintenance intervals are extended and labor requirements are reduced.
• Longer service life
  Sealed internal components are protected from environmental exposure, corrosion, and contamination.
• High torque capability
  Magnetic coupling delivers maximum allowable stem torque through a fully sealed barrier.
• Improved safety
  Leak-free operation reduces safety and personnel risks in hazardous environments.

Performance in Extreme Environments

Magnetically actuated stemless valves are particularly well suited for environments where conventional designs struggle.

MagDrive’s leak-free valve design technology has been:

• Proven at cryogenic temperatures down to -300°F
• Validated through NASA SBIR programs for aerospace applications
• API 6FA fire-safe certified, passing 1,800°F fire testing with zero leaks
• Tested in multiple U.S. refinery locations with zero emissions above background levels
• Designed for high-pressure, high-cycle, and mission-critical operations

These validations demonstrate that magnetic actuation is not a theoretical improvement, but a field-proven solution.

Industries Using Magnetically Actuated Valves

Magnetically actuated valves can be applied to any valve type, in virtually any industry, including:

• Oil & Gas – Eliminating fugitive methane emissions and product loss, reducing LDAR points, and improving regulatory compliance
• Hydrogen – Non-reactive, leak-free sealing for safety and purity
• LNG / Cryogenic – Preventing product loss at extreme low temperatures
• Aerospace & Defense – Precision control and absolute Zero-E reliability in mission-critical environments

MagDrive supports adoption through drop-in designs and technology licensing, enabling manufacturers to integrate magnetic actuation into existing valve platforms.

ESG and Regulatory Importance of Zero-Emission Valves

As emissions regulations tighten globally, industries are under pressure to move beyond detection and mitigation toward permanent elimination of fugitive emissions.

Magnetically actuated valves support ESG and compliance goals by:

• Eliminating emissions at the source
• Reducing inspection and reporting burden
• Providing auditable, verifiable zero-leak performance
• Aligning with long-term decarbonization strategies

This makes magnetic actuation especially valuable for operators planning for future regulatory landscapes, not just current requirements.

The Future of Flow Control

Magnetically actuated valves represent a shift from reactive maintenance to purpose-built, true Zero-Emission by design. By removing leaky valve stems, seals, and leak paths entirely, stemless magnetically actuated valves establish a new baseline for reliability, safety, and environmental performance in flow control systems across the energy industry and beyond.

Final Takeaway

Magnetically actuated valves don’t manage leaks, they eliminate them.

By redesigning valve actuation around magnetic coupling and hermetic sealing, these valves deliver zero emissions, greater reliability, and lower lifetime cost by design. That’s why magnetically actuated valves aren’t just an incremental improvement, they’re redefining the future of flow control.

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