Petrol Vapour Recovery

Stage I (94/63/EC) &Stage I (94/63/EC) &Stage II (2009/126/EC)

European Commission, DG Environment

Air & Industrial Emissions Unit

15 September 20141

To cover:

A. Why the directives exist

B. PVR Stage I (94/63/EC)– main requirementsB. PVR Stage I (94/63/EC)– main requirements

C. PVR Stage II (2009/126/EC) - main requirements

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A. PVR – the physics

PetrolPetrol vapourvapour

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Liquid petrolLiquid petrol

Petrol vapourPetrol vapour

Liquid petrolLiquid petrol

PetrolPetrol vapourvapour

Liquid petrol is a mix of hydrocarbons which evaporate readily

A. The issue in context

Environmental problems:

• Petrol contains benzene (a carcinogen). Concentrations of benzene in air in the vicinity of service stations can exceed EC air quality standards.quality standards.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in petrol contribute to the formation of ground level ozone and photochemical smog. Air quality targets for ozone are widely exceeded.

Estimated figures for Europe:

• 200 billion litres of petrol are sold annually from petrol stations

• 200 billion litres of petrol vapour are emitted• 100,000 petrol service stations

Overall aim = Reduce loss of petrol (VOC) from petrol storage & distribution 4

B. PVR Stage I – petrol storage & loading at terminals

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Petrol Tanker

Service Station

B. PVR Stage I – delivery to service stations

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Underground

Storage Tank

liquid

petrol

vapour petrol

B. PVR Stage I – main requirements

Aim: reduce petrol vapour emissions from petrol storage at terminals & its distribution

to service stations

Application: complicated as depends on age (new / existing), throughput

Main requirements & checks:Main requirements & checks:

• Storage at terminals – Article 3 & Annex 1 (reflective coatings, floating roofs with

seals or fixed roof & vapour recovery)

• Loading & unloading of mobile containers at terminals (Article 4)

o Annex II – displaced vapour to be recovered or incinerated

o Annex IV – bottom loading of road tankers

• Mobile containers (road/rail tankers, ships) – Article 5

• Unloading at service station –– displaced vapours back to mobile container (Article

6, Annex III)

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C. PVR Stage II - schematic

Petrol dispenserPetrol dispenser

FuelFuel

tanktankPetrol Petrol

vapourvapour

Liquid petrolLiquid petrol

VentVent

C. PVR Stage II –vapour return option

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UndergroundUnderground

petrol storage tankpetrol storage tank

Petrol liquid Petrol liquid

pumppump

Liquid Petrol

Liquid Petrol

Optimal performance when

volume of petrol = volume of

vapour

C. PVR Stage II – vapour recovery option

Vapour is cooled and recycled to the dispenser for reVapour is cooled and recycled to the dispenser for re--salesale

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C. PVR Stage II – vapour capture

Petrol delivered by the inner (longer) tube and vapour Petrol delivered by the inner (longer) tube and vapour

returned via the outer (shorter) tubereturned via the outer (shorter) tube

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Liquid Liquid

petrolpetrol

VapourVapour

C. PVR Stage II - main requirements

Aim: decrease petrol vapour emissions to air during vehicle refuelling at service stations

Applies to:

• new service stations (& major refurbishments) if throughput >500 m3/year; or >100

m3/year when under living / working areas

• existing service stations if throughput >3000 m3/year

Requirements: apply Stage II vapour recovery to displaced air from fuel by:

a) Transfer petrol vapour to underground storage tank, or

b) Vapour cooled (condensed) and returned to the dispenser (for resale)

Minimum performance:

• petrol vapour capture efficiency > 85% (CEN standard being developed)

• vapour / patrol ratio = 0.96 - 1.05 (if use option 'a')

Performance checks – 1 per year or every 3 years (if automatic fault detection)

Customer information – sign or sticker where installed11

C. PVR Stage II - Review

Review (by 31/12/2014) of general implementation with a focus on:

• lower threshold (100 m3/year);

• compliance record of PVR II systems; • compliance record of PVR II systems;

• need for automatic monitoring

• Also consider approach in USA:

• PVR II considered an interim solution (phase out by 2013)

• Move towards 'Onboard Refuelling Vapour Recovery' = carbon filter.

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We have covered:

A. Why the directives exist

B. PVR Stage I (94/63/EC)– main requirementsB. PVR Stage I (94/63/EC)– main requirements

C. PVR Stage II (2009/126/EC) - main requirements

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