Vapour Recovery Systems

Overview

Every time a tank, ship, rail car or road tanker is filled with a volatile product such as gasoline, crude oil, naphtha or chemicals, vapours are displaced into the atmosphere unless they are captured. These emissions represent lost product, contribute to ground-level ozone and odour complaints, and may contain toxic components such as benzene. Regulations in many countries now require vapour recovery at terminals, loading facilities and storage tanks. Vapour recovery and vapour control systems must be designed and operated carefully, because they handle flammable mixtures and can create fire and explosion hazards.

This course provides a practical understanding of vapour recovery and vapour control systems used in terminals, refineries, gas plants and loading facilities. Participants learn the sources of hydrocarbon vapour emissions, vapour pressure and emission estimation, and the regulatory drivers for control. The course covers vapour collection systems, vapour balancing, carbon adsorption, absorption, refrigeration and membrane recovery units, and thermal and catalytic oxidisers and vapour combustors. It also explains marine vapour control, tank vapour recovery, safety systems such as detonation arresters and oxygen analysers, operation and maintenance, performance testing and the troubleshooting of common problems.

Objectives

• Identify sources of hydrocarbon vapour emissions and their effects
• Estimate vapour emissions using vapour pressure and loading data
• Describe vapour collection, balancing and control system layouts
• Compare adsorption, absorption, refrigeration and membrane recovery units
• Understand oxidisers and vapour combustors for vapour destruction
• Apply safety systems such as detonation arresters and oxygen control
• Operate, test and troubleshoot vapour recovery systems effectively

Who should attend

Training methodology

The course combines explanation of emission sources and control technologies with real system drawings, operating data and regulatory requirements. Participants estimate emissions from tank and loading operations, compare recovery technologies for given product mixes and flow rates, and review the safety design of a vapour collection system. Operating data from carbon adsorption and combustor units are analysed to identify performance problems. Videos and photographs show equipment in operation. Case studies of vapour system fires and explosions are analysed in groups, and each day ends with a short quiz and discussion.

Programme outline

Dates and fees

Certificate

Frequently asked questions