As an alternative to recovery, hydrocarbon vapours may be destroyed in a flare, combustor or a thermal oxidizer.
For many applications, a device known as a combustor can be successfully used as a safe and economical method of
controlling vapours from the handling, storage or loading of volatile liquid hydrocarbons or ethanol, when recovery of the vapours is not a viable option.
Basic Operation
The vapour mixture flows into the vapour collection system at the loading facility and through the vapour header that connects the loading facility with the Vapour Combustion Unit (VCU).
The vapour mixture then flows through an in-line detonation arrestor that is equipped with a temperature switch on one face of the detonation arrestor element.
As the vapour mixture flow continues, the pressure will increase in the vapour piping. This increase in pressure is sensed by pressure controls located at the VCU.
When the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the vapour-staging valve will open automatically allowing the vapour mixture to flow to the burner elements where the
combustible vapours are ignited by the pilot and burned.
The assist-air blower is provided to furnish some of the air required for combustion and to provide mixing
of combustion air with the vapour mixture.
This ensures that the combustion remains smokeless.
The temperature management system, if selected, controls the temperature within the combustion stack by controlling the amount of air that flows into the combustion zone,
while also controlling the amount of supplemental fuel gas that is injected into the combustion zone.
The temperature is managed automatically during operation by controlling the position of the adjustable air dampers and the assist gas flow.
Finally, when the transfer operation is completed, the VCU will automatically turn off the assist-air blower and pilot, and then await an automatic
re-start when more loading is about to begin.
Vapour Combustion Unit Features
The standard Jordan Technologies VCU pre-packaged unit requires only minor field assembly for easy installation and cost savings to customers.
It is an enclosed combustion system and incorporates the following features:
- Ceramic fibre refractory lined combustion chamber
- Smokeless burner(s) specially designed to reduce the possibility of a flashback
- PLC-based control system with an automatic ignition system and safety monitoring
- Automatic actuated vapour staging valve(s)
- Combustion air blower for the anti-flashback burners
- Detonation arrestor with high temperature monitor in the main vapour piping
- NEMA 4 control panel with all necessary instrumentation and controls for automatic and low maintenance operation
- Advanced temperature control technology to reduce assist gas usage
- Advanced pilot technology that reduces pilot fuel consumption up to 75% over competitor models
- Easy-to-use touch panel operator interface