A Preliminary Evaluation of Service Station Vapor Control Concepts

A program was conducted to evaluate the performance characteristics and to determine cost effectiveness relationships associated with various prototype gasoline vapor control systems for service stations. Eight participating petroleum companies provided test facilities employing the direct displacement vapor control concept for evaluation during the summer, fall, and winter seasons. Test results indicated that the direct displacement systems had the potential for controlling approximately 95% of the vapors that normally are emitted when a tank truck delivers fuel to the underground tank and when tight connections at the vehicle fill neck are obtained. One petroleum company provided a refrigerated-condensation vapor control system for evaluation which exhibited the potential for virtually 100 percent vapor control, again when tight connections at the vehicle fill pipe could be achieved. A few preliminary tests performed using an activated carbon adsorber during tank truck deliveries also indicated the potential for virtually 100% control.

Initial cost data submitted by the participants indicates that the refrigerated-condensation system evaluated would cost two: three times as much as the direct displacement concept per pound of vapor prevented from entering the atmosphere, and 20 times as much for the incremental quantity controlled over the direct displacement system.