US3756291A - Gasoline vapor recovery system - Google Patents

Gasoline vapor recovery system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3756291A
US3756291A US00193018A US3756291DA US3756291A US 3756291 A US3756291 A US 3756291A US 00193018 A US00193018 A US 00193018A US 3756291D A US3756291D A US 3756291DA US 3756291 A US3756291 A US 3756291A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuel
communicated
dispensing system
conduit
source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00193018A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gahey D Mc
E Vest
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Texaco Inc
Original Assignee
Texaco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Texaco Inc filed Critical Texaco Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3756291A publication Critical patent/US3756291A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
    • B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
    • B67D7/048—Vapour flow control means, e.g. valves, pumps
    • B67D7/0482—Vapour flow control means, e.g. valves, pumps using pumps driven at different flow rates

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the recovery of fuel vapors liberated in the course of dispensing a normally liquid fuel such as gasoline.
  • accumulated vapors can constitute an air polluting factor. Also, even though an accumulated volume of vapors do not contribute noticeably to pollution, they could result in an explosive mixture limited to a minor area.
  • Motor vehicles can, as a practical matter, be provided with means to receive the displaced vapors and to recover them.
  • the present invention however relates to that type of arrangement wherein this function of vapor recovery is affected rather in connection with a fuel dispenser.
  • the present invention contemplates the provision of means for recovering the displaced vapors during the transfer of a volatile liquid fuel, treating the vapors to re-introduce them into the incoming liquid fuel stream and then disposing of the excess. air.
  • the nozzle is provided with a return line to simultaneously draw off vapors displaced from the tank.
  • temperatures of the fuel rising from a subterranean storage tank may typically be in the neighborhood of 60 F. and below.
  • the present invention contemplates such a vapor recovery system in an adjunctive unit applicable to a gasoline dispensing pump having a number of important features.
  • the fuel dispensing nozzle is adapted for sealing, yet releasable, engagement with the fuel tank.
  • the stream of fuel which is supplied under substantial pressure to the dispensing nozzle is caused to actuate a pumping mechanism for raising the pressure of recovered vapors to a desired level. Said mechanism, at the same time, drives an air pump which continuously diffuses minute amounts of unrecovered fuel vapors to atmosphere, thus preventing accumulation of an explosive mixture.
  • a level control chamber in the main fuel supply conduit is employed to vent excess air entering the system, without materially impairing the pressure of the main line.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective elevation of a fuel dispensing system embodying the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is another perspective view from a somewhat different angle illustrating a variation in mounting or attachment provisions.
  • FIG. 3' is a flow sheet indicating diagrammatically the operation of the present device.
  • the main fuel or gasoline supply comes via pipe 10 from a typically underground supply reservoir.
  • a pump,-meter and recording mechanism which may be more or less diagrammatically represented by reference numeral 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2 are communicated with said supply.
  • pump 14 (FIG. 3) may be that pump normally associated with the dispensing unit 12, it is, on the other hand, desirable to use a supplemental pump which raises the fluid pressure substantially above the pressure normally determined by the typical dispensing pump.
  • the latter pump normally operates at pressures in the neighborhood of 25 psi, it may be desirable, in accordance with the present invention, to employ pressure substantially in excess of this value.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 exiting from the unit 12 and leading into a superimposed unit 16.
  • the latter includes a closure which contains the system more or less diagrammatically represented within the dotted line area of FIG. 3.
  • Surge tank 20 is provided with a float valve 23 mounted on actuable arm 26 which carries float 24. Since valve 28 only opens in response to the lowering of float 24, an event caused by increasing vapor pressure or volume in surge tank 20, it functions to release any air or small remaining quantity of fuel vapor in the system to line 30, without materially affecting the line pressure in the surge tank 20.
  • the main fuel line 32 communicates surge chamber 20 to the suction side or inlet of a mechanical power recovery engine or motor operated thereby, and represented diagrammatically as at 34. Said motor 34, in turn, discharges thru a typical dispensing hose 36 and dispensing nozzle 38 which are sealably communicated with the inlet pipe 40 of a vehicle tank.
  • Dispensing nozzle 38 is detachably, sealingly engaged with the tank as shown at 42 and is provided with a flexible return line 44 for carrying vapors.
  • Line M is closely associated with main hose 36 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, being connected in juxtaposition thereto and connected to unit 16, as indicated by the solid line 46 in FIG. 3.
  • the latter is mechanically connected to the drive shaft of compressor pump 48, which raises the pressure of fuel vapors to a predetermined, elevated value and discharges them via line 50 back into the main fuel line 18.
  • the latter can be an injection point, alternately it can take the form of a more sophisticated absorber unit, although such a refinement is usually not necessary.
  • An important feature of the present invention comprises the means to utilize mechanical energy developed at the motor 34 to drive the pump 48 as indicated by the dotted line 52. It is further noted that in accordance with the present invention, driving means 34 and 52 respectively are used to actuate a second pump 54 which conveys a stream of air thru line 56 into diffusing chamber 58 which receives residual vapors from line 30.
  • diffusing chamber 58 is preferably located in the upper portion of the unit 16, which, as shown, is thoroughly apertured as at 60 and thus open to the atmosphere.
  • any small, residual fuel vapor is instantaneously dispersed and diluted before it can form an ignitable mixture or accumulation.
  • the relatively cool flow of fuel from line is pumped upwardly into line 18 at a pressure of from 25 to 250 psi. Said flow, in turn, picks up the highly compressed vapors from line 50, the combined flow then passing into surge chamber 20. In the latter chamber, air separates and as it accumulates is bled thru needle valve 28 by the action of control float 24 to diffuser 58. Meanwhile, the motor 34 continuously operated by pressure thru flow line 32, keeps a constant draft of air thru the diffuserand at the same time continuously raises the pressure of the outwardly flowing vapors.
  • a fuel dispensing system for transferring a volatile liquid fuel from a source thereof, to a closed fuel tank having an inlet opening (40), a nozzle (38), having afuel conduit (36) depending therefrom, the latter being communicated with said fuel source, the improvement in said fuel dispensing system for recovering fuel vapors during a transfer operation, which comprises;
  • a vapor release conduit (44) connected to said nozzle (38), and having an inlet communicated with said fuel tank interior when nozzle (38) is disposed in sealing engagement with inlet opening c.
  • a surge chamber (20) connected intermediate said fuel source and said fuel tank to maintain a reservoir of liquid and vaporous fuel therein,
  • a diffuser compartment (58) communicated respectively with said surge chamber (20) to receive fuel vapors therefrom, and with a source of a diluting gas (54), whereby to form a mixture of said fuel vapors and said diluting gas prior to venting of the mixture into the atmosphere.
  • a fuel dispensing system as defined in claim 1, including; pump means (54) having a suction inlet communicated with said source of diluting gas, and a discharge outlet (56) communicated with said surge chamber whereby to introduce said diluting gas into said surge chamber (20).
  • valve means (28) communicating said surge chamber (20) with said diffuser (58), to regulate passage of vapor to the latter in response to the volume of liquid fuel held within said surge chamber (20).
  • conduit means (32, 36) communicating said nozzle (38) with said surge chamber (20) to carry a streamof liquid fuel to said surge chamber, and motor means (34) interposed in said conduit means (32, 36) to be drivingly actuated by said stream of liquid fuel passing therethrough.
  • said source of diluting gas includes; a pump (54) having suction inlet communicated with and receiving a diluting gas, and a discharge conduit (56) communicated with said difiuser (58), said respective pump means (54) and motor means (34) being drivingly connected to be mutually actuated by said flow of liquid fuel through said conduit (32, 36).
  • a fuel dispensing system as defined in claim 7, including; pump means (48) having a suction inlet communicated with said vapor release conduit (44), and the discharge thereof communicated with said source of fuel, said pump means (48) being drivingly connected to said motor means (34) whereby to be actuated in response to passage of liquid fuel through said conduit means (32, 36).

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
US00193018A 1971-10-27 1971-10-27 Gasoline vapor recovery system Expired - Lifetime US3756291A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19301871A 1971-10-27 1971-10-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3756291A true US3756291A (en) 1973-09-04

Family

ID=22711958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00193018A Expired - Lifetime US3756291A (en) 1971-10-27 1971-10-27 Gasoline vapor recovery system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3756291A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5516913B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE790606A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2252200B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE382618B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3881894A (en) * 1972-10-05 1975-05-06 George R Onufer Vapor emission control system and method
US3921412A (en) * 1974-07-18 1975-11-25 Rohr Industries Inc Vapor recovery apparatus employing dispensing nozzle with condensing capacity
US3994322A (en) * 1974-01-10 1976-11-30 Overall Milton P Hand fuel dispenser for preventing escape of vapors
US4100758A (en) * 1976-11-19 1978-07-18 Texaco Inc. Vacuum assist fuel system
US4671071A (en) * 1985-05-07 1987-06-09 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Fuel-vapor recovery system
US4842163A (en) * 1986-09-19 1989-06-27 Bravo Sergio M Gasoline collector pit box and submersible unit box
US4886096A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-12-12 General Motor Corporation Evaporative emission control system
US5100024A (en) * 1986-09-19 1992-03-31 Bravo Sergio M Gasoline collector pit box and submersible unit box
FR2702755A1 (fr) * 1993-03-19 1994-09-23 Texier Alain Installation pour le transfert d'un produit liquide volatil, d'un réservoir de stockage amont à un réservoir de stockage aval.
USRE35238E (en) * 1990-05-21 1996-05-14 Gilbarco, Inc. Vapor recovery system for fuel dispenser
US5655578A (en) * 1994-01-20 1997-08-12 Farkas; Edward J. Control system for filling of tanks with saturated liquids
US5865216A (en) * 1995-11-08 1999-02-02 Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc. System for housing secondarily contained flexible piping
US5868175A (en) * 1996-06-28 1999-02-09 Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Apparatus for recovery of fuel vapor
US5878792A (en) * 1995-10-05 1999-03-09 Pettazzoni; Oliviero Vapor recovery method and apparatus
US5992480A (en) * 1998-04-21 1999-11-30 Hussain; Munawer Vapor recovery system
USRE37114E1 (en) 1993-11-01 2001-03-27 Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc. Secondary containment flexible underground piping system
US20030131903A1 (en) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-17 Healy James W. Vapor space pressure control system for underground gasoline storage tank
US6899149B1 (en) 1990-12-11 2005-05-31 Gilbarco Inc. Vapor recovery fuel dispenser for multiple hoses
US20090056827A1 (en) * 2006-04-10 2009-03-05 Meadwestvaco Corporation Control of vapor emissions from gasoline stations
US9222407B2 (en) * 2012-11-12 2015-12-29 Wayne Fueling Systems Llc Dispenser for compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5512016A (en) * 1978-06-29 1980-01-28 Tokyo Tatsuno Kk Oil feeder
JPS5792055U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1980-11-26 1982-06-07
FR2701470B1 (fr) * 1993-02-12 1995-06-16 Schlumberger Ind Sa Procédé de récupération de vapeurs d'hydrocarbures dans des stations-service et système en faisant application.
JP7107799B2 (ja) * 2018-09-26 2022-07-27 トキコシステムソリューションズ株式会社 液体燃料供給装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3106071A (en) * 1961-08-16 1963-10-08 Exxon Research Engineering Co System for filling closed containers with volatile liquids
US3672180A (en) * 1968-02-19 1972-06-27 Edwin R Davis Fuel vapor recovery apparatus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4321224Y1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1964-12-25 1968-09-06

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3106071A (en) * 1961-08-16 1963-10-08 Exxon Research Engineering Co System for filling closed containers with volatile liquids
US3672180A (en) * 1968-02-19 1972-06-27 Edwin R Davis Fuel vapor recovery apparatus

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3881894A (en) * 1972-10-05 1975-05-06 George R Onufer Vapor emission control system and method
US3994322A (en) * 1974-01-10 1976-11-30 Overall Milton P Hand fuel dispenser for preventing escape of vapors
US3921412A (en) * 1974-07-18 1975-11-25 Rohr Industries Inc Vapor recovery apparatus employing dispensing nozzle with condensing capacity
US4100758A (en) * 1976-11-19 1978-07-18 Texaco Inc. Vacuum assist fuel system
US4671071A (en) * 1985-05-07 1987-06-09 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Fuel-vapor recovery system
US4842163A (en) * 1986-09-19 1989-06-27 Bravo Sergio M Gasoline collector pit box and submersible unit box
US4971225A (en) * 1986-09-19 1990-11-20 Bravo Sergio M Gasoline collector pit box and submersible unit box
US5100024A (en) * 1986-09-19 1992-03-31 Bravo Sergio M Gasoline collector pit box and submersible unit box
US4886096A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-12-12 General Motor Corporation Evaporative emission control system
USRE35238E (en) * 1990-05-21 1996-05-14 Gilbarco, Inc. Vapor recovery system for fuel dispenser
US6899149B1 (en) 1990-12-11 2005-05-31 Gilbarco Inc. Vapor recovery fuel dispenser for multiple hoses
FR2702755A1 (fr) * 1993-03-19 1994-09-23 Texier Alain Installation pour le transfert d'un produit liquide volatil, d'un réservoir de stockage amont à un réservoir de stockage aval.
USRE37114E1 (en) 1993-11-01 2001-03-27 Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc. Secondary containment flexible underground piping system
US5655578A (en) * 1994-01-20 1997-08-12 Farkas; Edward J. Control system for filling of tanks with saturated liquids
US5878792A (en) * 1995-10-05 1999-03-09 Pettazzoni; Oliviero Vapor recovery method and apparatus
US5865216A (en) * 1995-11-08 1999-02-02 Advanced Polymer Technology, Inc. System for housing secondarily contained flexible piping
US5868175A (en) * 1996-06-28 1999-02-09 Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Apparatus for recovery of fuel vapor
US5992480A (en) * 1998-04-21 1999-11-30 Hussain; Munawer Vapor recovery system
US20030131903A1 (en) * 2002-01-11 2003-07-17 Healy James W. Vapor space pressure control system for underground gasoline storage tank
US6763856B2 (en) * 2002-01-11 2004-07-20 Healy Systems, Inc. Vapor space pressure control system for underground gasoline storage tank
US20090056827A1 (en) * 2006-04-10 2009-03-05 Meadwestvaco Corporation Control of vapor emissions from gasoline stations
US9533251B2 (en) * 2006-04-10 2017-01-03 Ingevity South Carolina, Llc Control of vapor emissions from gasoline stations
US9222407B2 (en) * 2012-11-12 2015-12-29 Wayne Fueling Systems Llc Dispenser for compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4851121A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-07-18
BE790606A (fr) 1973-04-26
DE2252200B (de) 1973-05-03
SE382618B (sv) 1976-02-09
JPS5516913B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-05-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3756291A (en) Gasoline vapor recovery system
US3791422A (en) Service station gasoline vapor recovery system
JP2641838B2 (ja) 自動車用蒸気燃料回収システム
US3581782A (en) Vapor emission control system
US3672180A (en) Fuel vapor recovery apparatus
ES2265665T3 (es) Sistema mejorado de transferencia de liquidos criogenicos.
US3815327A (en) Method and apparatus for preventing loss of hydrocarbons to atmosphere
EP2014904B1 (en) Evaporative emission control in battery powered vehicle with gasoline engine powered generator
US2986133A (en) Fuel system for internal combustion engines
US6230693B1 (en) Evaporative emission canister with heated adsorber
JP3186069B2 (ja) 自動車用燃料蒸気管理システム
US4028075A (en) Fuel tank cap
US3844262A (en) Vaporization of exhaust products in hydrogen-oxygen engine
CA2268207A1 (en) Fuel vapor management system
US3771317A (en) Vapor recovery
US4085721A (en) Evaporation purge control device
US6467464B2 (en) Vacuum based fuel system
US4100758A (en) Vacuum assist fuel system
US3289711A (en) Device for controlling the hydrocarbon evaporation losses from automotive vehicles
US4368163A (en) Apparatus for vaporizing fuel for engine in conjunction with carburetor
US3861890A (en) Gasoline vapor recovery system and method
US3263413A (en) System for controlling a diesel engine to provide safe operation in an explosive atmosphere
US2409965A (en) Fuel pump
US2894736A (en) Carburetor vent system
US3683878A (en) Apparatus for preventing escape of fuel vapor from internal combustion engine