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A VRU is an ENGINEERED INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM dedicated to downstream petroleum storage and transfer activities.
Working autonomously, it answers the need of professionals aiming for solutions to handle VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC) EMISSIONS generated during their day-to-day operations.
The necessity of installing a VRU comes from the growing awareness of civil society, governments and petroleum professionals regarding the various impacts of the petroleum operations :
CARBOVAC, as one of the leading companies in the field of VRU design, consulting and implementation, has been specializing, since its creation on adsorption/absorption-type solutions, using specifically the “dry screw” vacuum pumps type.
The VRU PROCESS consists in 3 steps:
STEP 1 – ADSORPTION
Hydrocarbons contained in the vapours are adsorbed on activated carbon.
STEP 2 – DESORPTION
Hydrocarbons molecules fixed in the activated carbon are removed (desorbed) by means of vacuum pumps.
[ ! ] To this extend, Carbovac has decided to use what is considered the Best Available Technology (BAT) of vacuum pumps for VRU application: the Dry Screw Vacuum Pump (DSVP).
Carbovac has worked very closely, since its creation, with the worldwide recognized manufacturer of this type of pumps, in order to continuously optimize the DSVP for VRU application.
STEP 3 – ABSORPTION
Hydrocarbons are re-absorbed in a liquid petroleum product, referred to as “absorbent product”, available on site. The absorbent is taken from one of the site storage tank, and sent back, together with the recovered product.
Carbovac has been engineering solutions for MONO, as well as MULTI-LOADING applications, in all types of petroleum storage / handling facilities (refineries, terminals, depots).
In any case, Carbovac offers a wide variety of VRUs designs, by offering “tailored-engineered” solutions, as per Carbovac engineering standards (based on its long-lasting experience), but also based on special Technical Specifications (EPC’s / Oil Companies’).
TRUCKS LOADING OPERATIONS (TO):
TO-VRUs can be proposed for all trucks loading configuration: bottom, top, mixed.
Since 2016, Carbovac decided to propose the dedicated ZEPHYR range of VRUs, to handle typical trucks loading operations.
Inherited from a “catalogue” philosophy, the ZEPHYR has been developed to answer professionals’ requests for simple solutions, with limited investment budgets, without putting aside any efficiency/safety consideration.
RAILCARS LOADING OPERATIONS (RO):
RO-VRUs can be proposed for all railcars loading configuration: on-spot type, estacade, mixed.
MARINE & BARGES LOADING OPERATIONS (MBO):
MBO-VRUs requires specific engineering awareness, as this type of operations shows some particularities.
Indeed, marine and barges loading are usually continuous over a long-period (over 24 hours without interruption), with a special kind of vapour’s concentration curve.
STORAGE TANKS FILLING & BREATHING OPERATIONS (SO):
Carbovac has been developing its experience on designing SO-VRUs to handle both filling of the storage tanks (pipeline, railcars/marine vessels unloading…) as well as thermal outbreathing of the tanks.
Since its creation, Carbovac has engineered, supplied and commissioned VRUs to handle HYDROCARBONS VAPOURS FLOWRATES FROM 400 m3/h TO 14 000 m3/h.
Carbovac has been designing VRUs to handle most of the products handled in refineries, terminals and depots :
GASOLINES – DIESEL – JET – LIGHT CRUDE OILS – NAPHTHAS – BENZENE – PARAXYLENE
MTBE/ETBE – ETHANOL/METHANOL – REFORMATE …
Carbovac has always placed special care in meeting local ELR, wherever the projects are:
As such, VRU projects can be designed for classical ELR such as 35 g HC/m3 or 10 g HC/m3
to more stringent conditions, 150 mg HC/m3 and even 50 mg HC/m3.
