What is Vapor Recovery?
Vapor recovery is the process of capturing and recovering hydrocarbon vapors that are released during the production, processing, and storage of crude oil and natural gas. These gas vapors, which are a valuable resource, can be reused as fuel or sold as a commodity. Vapor recovery plays a crucial role in environmental compliance by reducing air pollution and minimizing the environmental impact of oil and gas operations. By capturing these vapors, companies can not only adhere to environmental regulations but also turn a potential waste product into a profitable asset.
Types of Vapor Recovery Units
There are two primary types of vapor recovery units (VRUs): mechanical VRUs and carbon bed or adsorption type VRUs. Mechanical VRUs utilize compression to recover tank vapors, effectively capturing and condensing them for reuse. On the other hand, carbon bed or adsorption type VRUs employ activated carbon to capture and separate hydrocarbon vapors from other gases. Both types of VRUs are designed to recover valuable hydrocarbons, thereby reducing emissions and enhancing environmental compliance. Choosing the right type of VRU depends on the specific needs and conditions of the operation.
How Vapor Recovery Works
The vapor recovery process involves several key stages:
Gas Intake: Hydrocarbon vapors are drawn into the VRU from storage tanks or other sources.
Separation: The vapors are separated from other gases, such as air and water vapor, to isolate the hydrocarbons.
Compression: The separated vapors are compressed to increase their pressure and density, making them easier to handle and transport.
Cooling: The compressed vapors are cooled to condense the hydrocarbons into a liquid state.
Collection: The recovered hydrocarbons are collected and stored for reuse or sale.
This multi-step process ensures that valuable hydrocarbons are efficiently captured and repurposed, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Decreases pollutants from gas compressors up to 95%
Vapor recovery units from Kingsly Compression can help reduce costs and increase revenue while decreasing dangerous pollutants up to 95%.
At Kingsly, we recommend vapor recovery units as a sound alternative to flaring or venting the vapors from gas compressors out into the atmosphere. The recovered vapors can be re-injected into oil wells, sent to users, or even used as fuel. For many of our customers, vapor recovery also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility and environmental protection.
Typically, a vapor recovery unit includes a scrubber, reciprocating gas compressor, electric or gas drive, and switchgear. Common uses for vapor recovery units include petroleum tank farms, pipelines, and well sites where fugitive emissions are an issue.
Product Highlight – The KC-HGF12000H-100E3 Advantage
At Kingsly Compression, innovation meets rugged reliability in our latest vapor recovery solution — the KC-HGF12000H-100E3 Natural Gas Compressor Package. Proudly manufactured in Cambridge, Ohio, this new standard-setting unit delivers unmatched build quality at a highly competitive price point. Engineered with a 100 HP TEFC electric motor and featuring a LeROI HGF12000H rotary screw compressor, this package is built on an extra heavy-duty skid designed to withstand harsh oilfield conditions. With flow capabilities up to 1,400 MCFD and discharge pressures up to 250 PSIG, it’s ideal for demanding vapor recovery, gas gathering, and fuel boosting applications. Advanced safety shutoffs, PLC automation, and a Variable Frequency Drive come standard — offering maximum efficiency, safety, and control. From its seamless performance to its user-focused design, the KC-HGF12000H-100E3 reflects the Kingsly Compression commitment to delivering field-ready, operator-friendly gas compression solutions built for tomorrow’s energy demands.
THE KINGSLY DIFFERENCE
Kingsly Compression vapor recovery is available new, used, or rebuilt and you can choose to buy, lease or lease to buy.
Industries That Use Vapor Recovery
Vapor recovery is utilized across various industries, including:
- Oil and Gas Industry: Vapor recovery is essential for capturing and recovering hydrocarbon vapors from storage tanks, pipelines, and other sources within the oil and gas sector.
- Gas Industry: In the gas industry, vapor recovery is used to capture and recover natural gas vapors from storage tanks and pipelines, ensuring that valuable resources are not lost.
- Petrochemical Industry: The petrochemical industry employs vapor recovery to capture and recover hydrocarbon vapors from chemical processing operations, enhancing both efficiency and environmental compliance.
These industries rely on vapor recovery systems to manage emissions, recover valuable resources, and comply with environmental regulations.
Fuel Boosters in the Oil and Gas Industry
Kingsly Compression offers a range of fuel boosters to augment compressors for gas engine test cells and high pressure furnaces in manufacturing.
Flash Gas and Gas Vapors
Kingsly Compression flash gas packages are proven solutions for flowing gas from a lower pressure to a higher-pressure system.
A vapor recovery unit (VRU) is designed to capture and repurpose hydrocarbon vapors, reducing emissions and enhancing efficiency in various industrial applications.
Vapor Recovery Unit Applications
Vapor recovery units have a wide range of applications, including:
- Storage Tank Vapor Recovery: VRUs are used to capture and recover hydrocarbon vapors from storage tanks, preventing the release of these vapors into the atmosphere.
- Pipeline Vapor Recovery: VRUs are employed to capture and recover hydrocarbon vapors from pipelines, ensuring that valuable resources are not lost during transportation.
- Enhanced Vapor Recovery: VRUs are utilized in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations to capture and recover hydrocarbon vapors, improving the efficiency and environmental compliance of these processes.
- Vapor Recovery Towers: VRUs are used in vapor recovery towers to capture and recover hydrocarbon vapors, further reducing emissions and maximizing resource recovery.
These applications demonstrate the versatility and importance of vapor recovery units in various sectors, highlighting their role in reducing emissions, recovering valuable hydrocarbons, and ensuring environmental compliance.
OTHER COMPRESSORS
Pipeline Boosters
Kingsly Compression builds pipeline boosters that move natural gas through difficult sections of pipeline, even across mountain ranges.
Fuel Boosters
Kingsly Compression offers a range of fuel boosters to augment compressors for gas engine test cells and high pressure furnaces in manufacturing.
Gas Lifts
Kingsly Compression builds high quality gas lifts that efficiently inject gas into production tubing to raise water or oil from a well.
Flash Gas
Kingsly Compression flash gas packages are proven solutions for flowing gas from a lower pressure to a higher-pressure system.