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. But natural gas is still a fossil fuel. Scientists and corporations are doing their best to protect our environment from climate-changing greenhouse gases through a host of conservation efforts.
One such method in the manufacturing phase is utilizing vapour recovery units during the natural gas refining process. These government-mandated units help collect and dispose of vapours and unwanted explosive gases. These unwanted materials develop as a by-product of natural gas and gasoline refinement. In the following article, we’ll discuss the importance of natural gas and the vital role vapour recovery units play in the refining process.
Why Is Natural Gas Important?
Natural gas is a quintessential resource for North Americans. 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 for 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.
So in a genuine sense, most people enjoy abundant energy from natural gas from the morning they wake up to the end of the day when they turn off the lights. 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 vapour recovery units. These units are mandated by law in multiple stages of the refining process. These recovery units are frequently set up to help control and regulate pressure going in and out of hydrocarbon storage tanks.
A gas or electric engine powers a vapour 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 vapour particles into the scrubber. Water vapour, unwanted fluids, and debris are then scrubbed out and not allowed to pass into the storage tank. You can then pump out the collected vapour particles while the purified liquid gas travels to the storage tank.
New Standards
Environmental compliance requires operators to have vapour recovery units to remove harmful particles. VRUs also help control air quality around processing plants for natural gas. Natural gas providers must eliminate some 95% of these vapour particles from their storage units for hydrocarbons. The vapour recovery units are uniquely suited for vapour recovery units.
Do you need to speak with a professional about installing a new vapor recovery unit? Contact us today.