A system composed of a scrubber, a compressor and a switch. Its main
purpose is to recover vapors formed inside completely sealed crude oil
or condensate tanks.
The switch detects pressure variations inside the tanks and turns the
compressor on and off. The vapors are sucked through a scrubber, where
the liquid trapped is returned to the liquid pipeline system or to the
tanks, and the vapor recovered is pumped into gas lines.
TANK OPERATIONS
As the oil resides in the tanks, it gives off vapors, thereby
increasing the pressure inside the tank.
Associated Gas IS LOST PRODUCT And LOST REVENUE
Sources of Methane Losses
Approximately 9 Bcf /yr of Methane Bcf are lost from storage tanks in
the United States market alone:
Flash losses:
occur when crude is transferred from containment at a high pressure
to containment at a lower pressure
Working losses:
occur when crude levels change and when crude in the tank is agitated
Standing losses:
occur with daily and seasonal temperature and pressure changes
alone.
Capture up to 95 percent of hydrocarbon vapors that accumulate in
tanks:
Recovered vapors have much higher Btu content than pipeline quality
natural gas.
Recovered vapors can be more valuable than methane alone Reduce
regulatory & liability exposure.
