Canada’s natural gas industry contributed more than $2.4 billion to the country’s economy each year. Canada and U.S. production combined in 2019 accounted for 108.8 billion cubic feet per day and the natural gas industry employs thousands of workers all across Canada and the United States. However, natural gas remains a fossil fuel. Scientists and corporations are working hard to protect our environment from climate-changing greenhouse gases through various conservation efforts.
One such method in the manufacturing phase is utilizing vapor recovery units during the natural gas refining process. These government-mandated units help collect and dispose of vapors and unwanted explosive gases. These undesired materials arise as a by-product of refining natural gas and gasoline.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of natural gas and how vapor recovery units play an important role in the refining process.
Why Is Natural Gas Important?
Natural gas is a major resource for residents of North America. Some 36% of all the natural gas consumed in the United States and Canada is used for electricity generation. The consumer buys a majority of this energy. The second biggest use of natural gas is for industrial purposes.
Industry uses natural gas for heating and power systems and as feedstock for hydrogen and chemicals. It is also used to help synthesize several fertilizers for agricultural production. The third-largest use for natural gas is heating and cooling homes, and supplying hot water to buildings.
In reality, most people benefit from the plentiful energy provided by natural gas from the moment they wake up in the morning until they turn off the lights at night. Even then, natural gas may still be heating or cooling their homes until they wake up in the morning.
What Are Vapor Recovery Units?
Natural gas producers try to keep harmful chemicals away from storage and transport because of the use of vapor recovery units. These units are mandated by law in multiple stages of the refining process. These units are legally required at various stages of the refining process. They are often installed to help control and regulate the pressure in hydrocarbon storage tanks.
A gas or electric engine powers a vapor recovery unit. Among the systems in the unit are scrubbers, VFDs, switching devices, and a gas compressor. As gases are compressed and pass through the recovery unit, the compressor draws vapor particles into the scrubber. Water vapor, unwanted fluids, and debris are then scrubbed out and not allowed to pass into the storage tank. You can then pump out the collected vapor particles while the purified liquid gas travels to the storage tank.
Advantages of a VRU System
The main pros of buying a VRU system:
- Emission reduction. Vapor recovery units significantly reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
- Environmental compliance. Employing VRUs ensures compliance with stringent environmental regulations, helping businesses avoid expensive fines and legal issues while showcasing a commitment to sustainability.
- Cost savings. Recovering valuable VOCs through VRUs can result in significant cost savings. These captured compounds can often be reused or sold, transforming waste into a valuable resource.
- Enhanced safety. Vapor recovery units capture and contain potentially hazardous VOCs, enhancing the safety of industrial processes for both workers and the surrounding community.
- Resource optimization. By recovering and repurposing VOCs, VRUs support resource efficiency and reduce waste, aligning with sustainable practices.
- Improved reputation. Implementing VRUs to demonstrate environmental responsibility and sustainability can improve a company’s reputation and attract environmentally conscious clients and investors.
- Energy efficiency. Vapor recovery units can be designed to recover and utilize energy from captured vapors, increasing overall energy efficiency in industrial operations.
- Air quality improvement. Vapor recovery units help maintain air quality standards and reduce the release of pollutants that can harm public health.
- Carbon footprint reduction. By preventing VOC emissions, VRUs contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aiding efforts to combat climate change.
- Operational efficiency. Proper use of VRUs can streamline industrial processes, ensuring efficient management of vapors and associated operational benefits.
Which Vapor Recovery Unit to Buy?
There are several types of vapor recovery units, each using different methods and technologies to capture and process vapors.
Mechanical VRU
A mechanical vapor recovery unit is primarily designed to recover vapors from storage tanks. These vapors form when the liquid in the tank is heated by external temperatures, accumulating in the space at the top of the tank. The unit works by compressing these vapors and routing them to a pipeline, which then delivers the gas to another part of the facility or a sales pipeline. Key features of a mechanical vapor recovery unit include:
Application: Recovering vapors from storage tanks.
Operation: Compresses the vapors from the tanks.
Target: Capturing vapors produced during the storage process.
Compressed vapor handling: Directs the compressed vapors to a pipeline for various uses.
Carbon Bed or Adsorption Type VRU
Conversely, a carbon bed or adsorption-type vapor recovery unit operates as a large filtration system. It is usually used to deal with vapors generated by loading trucks, railroad cars, tank cars, or marine vessels. Vapors are directed to the VRU, where they pass through a bed of activated carbon. The carbon bed adsorbs hydrocarbons from the vapors, allowing clean air to exit the system. When the carbon bed becomes saturated with hydrocarbons, a vacuum pump extracts these vapors and sends them to an absorber tower. The absorption column returns the hydrocarbons to a liquid state, making them suitable for reintroduction into the reservoirs.
Key features of a carbon bed or adsorption-type vapor recovery unit include:
Application: Managing vapors during liquid loading and unloading processes.
Operation: Adsorbs hydrocarbons by passing vapors through an activated carbon bed.
Target: Recovering vapors during loading/unloading operations.
Compressed vapor handling: Converts adsorbed hydrocarbons back to a liquid state for reintroduction into tanks.
In summary, mechanical VRUs predominantly retrieve tank vapors via compression, whereas carbon bed or adsorption-type VRUs concentrate on capturing and treating vapors emitted during liquid loading and unloading processes using activated carbon beds, followed by vapor conversion. The choice between these vapor recovery unit types depends on the specific needs and processes of the facility, as they cater to different aspects of vapor recovery and emission control.
New Standards
Environmental compliance requires operators to have vapor recovery units to remove harmful particles. VRUs also help control air quality around natural gas processing plants and facilities. Natural gas providers must eliminate some 95% of these vapor particles from their storage units for hydrocarbons. The vapor recovery units are uniquely suited for vapor recovery units.
Do you need to speak with a professional about installing a new vapor recovery unit? Contact us today at 403-443-8886.
