Apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from air-hydrocarbon vapor mixtures
US4261716A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 1979 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2259/4516
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved process and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from an air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture such as the mixture of air and vaporized light hydrocarbon compounds expelled as a result of loading gasoline or the like into storage tanks and tank trucks. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby the hydrocarbons are removed from the mixture and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially hydrocarbon-free air is produced. The substantially hydrocarbon-free air is vented to the atmosphere and a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons adsorbed thereon is subjected to conditions which cause desorption of the hydrocarbons and thereby regeneration of the bed. The flow pattern of the inlet air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture and the bed of solid adsorbed being regenerated are periodically changed so that when the bed through which the inlet air-hydrocarbon mixture is flowing becomes loaded with adsorbed hydrocarbons, the inlet air-hydrocarbon mixture is caused to flow through the bed which has just been regenerated. The regeneration of the beds is accomplished by evacuating the beds with vacuum pumping whereby a major portion o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.