Abstract A self-stripping, recycling adsorbing unit for recovery of hydrocarbons from a mixture of hydrocarbon vapors and air, including two adsorbers filled with adsorbent material, automatically controlled valves which route the mixed vapor flow through one adsorber and connect the other to a stripping apparatus, and instrumentation which automatically determines when the flows through the adsorbers should be interchanged and which activates the automatic valves to accomplish this interchange. The stripping apparatus includes a compressor with suction arranged to alternately evacuate the adsorbers and with its discharge connected to a condenser. Condensed hydrocarbon is sent to storage and uncondensed vapors are recycled through the active adsorber together with mixed air and hydrocarbon vapors entering the system for processing. An alternative means of stripping the adsorbers utilizes the compressor, condenser and related equipment from an existing vapor recovery system to which the adsorbers may be connected for stripping. Modifications to the existing system include instrumentation to provide for and restrict the use of existing components for stripping the adsorbers to time intervals when such components are otherwise inactive.
Apparatus for removing vapors from a mixture of vapor and air, comprising: gas-receiving means for conducting said mixture; a compressor having a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port; a condenser connected to the outlet port of said compressor for separating the liquid and gas constituents passed by said compressor; adsorption means connected to receive said gas constituents from said condenser for adsorbing said vapors from said gas constituents; switching means connected to said adsorption means and said compressor for selectively connecting the output of said adsorption means to the input port of said compressor and closing concurrently the input of said adsorption means and the output of said receiving means; and said gasreceiving means includes a surge tank, an elastic membrane closing the top of the surge tank, gas orifice means connected to receive said gas and attached to void into said surge tank proximate the bottom thereof, means for supplying a part of said liquid constituent to said surge tank and means for maintaining the liquid level therein at a level about said orifice means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for removing vapors from a mixture of vapor and air, comprising: gas-receiving means for conducting said mixture; a compressor having a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port; a condenser connected to the outlet port of said compressor for separating the liquid and gas constituents passed by said compressor; adsorption means connected to receive said gas constituents from said condenser for adsorbing said vapors from said gas constituents; switching means connected to said adsorption means and said compressor for selectively connecting the output of said adsorption means to the input port of said compressor and closing concurrently the input of said adsorption means and the output of said receiving means; and said gasreceiving means includes a surge tank, an elastic membrane closing the top of the surge tank, gas orifice means connected to receive said gas and attached to void into said surge tank proximate the bottom thereof, means for supplying a part of said liquid constituent to said surge tank and means for maintaining the liquid level therein at a level about said orifice means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said switching means includes an electrical switch connected to said elastic membrane for switching to a first position when said membrane is extended and to a second position when said membrane is collapsed, said first position being connected to directly power said compressor, first valve means connected to said switch for conducting the output of said surge tank to the input of said compressor when said switch is in said first position and for connecting the output of said adsorption means to the input of said compressor and concurrently closing the output of said surge tank when said switch is in said second position, second valve means connected to said electrical switch for connecting the output of said adsorption means to said first valve means when said switch is in said second position and for venting said adsorption means when said switch is in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said absorption means includes activated charcoal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said gas-receiving means includes separator means in the bottom thereof for separating water from hydrocarbons.