Pressure management and vapor recovery system for filling stations
US6174351A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/0047
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A vapor recovery and pressure management system for a vehicle refueling facility includes two rotary vane pumps and a hydrocarbon-stripping membrane between the pumps. One pump draws vapor from a storage tank as well as from refueling nozzles, while the other pump draws vapor from the membrane and discharges the vapor back into the tank. A controller controls both pumps to maintain a slight vacuum in the tank, thereby preventing leakage of hydrocarbons from the tank to the atmosphere. Clean air from the membrane is exhausted, preferably through a charcoal canister, and a hydrocarbon sensor monitors for the presence of undesirable hydrocarbons in the clean air exhaust. One or more liquid drop outs are provided for separating liquid from the hydrocarbon vapor and returning the liquid to the tank along with the vapor, preferably before the liquid is sent to the membrane, to thereby increase efficient fuel recovery and to protect the membrane from undesirable contact with liquid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.