Context:

When loading the product in the tanker trucks, hydrocarbon vapors are generated and released without treatment into the environment. To avoid these emissions, a system is required to retain and recover these substances through the use of an adsorbent capable of retaining the volatile organic compounds generated in the loading yard of the fuel distribution facility in Alto de Ochomogo, Cartago, Costa Rica

Method:

The composition of the displaced vapors was analyzed during the loading of clean product, and the removal and recovery effectiveness of two adsorbent matrices: Tenax® TA and Carbotrap® 317 was compared by modifying the standard method TO 17 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Results:

With Tenax® TA, 93.8% removal was achieved; however, most of the trapped compounds consisted of chains greater than or equal to 7 carbon atoms. The tubes packed with Carbotrap® 317 removed 99.9% of the compounds in the sample, retaining compounds with chains less than 7 carbon atoms from gasoline vapors. The conditioning, entrapment and desorption conditions of the modified method allowed Carbotrap® 317 to successfully retain and recover compounds similar to those that are being lost during tank truck loading.

Conclusions:

The conditioning, sampling and desorption conditions of the modified method allowed the Carbotrap® 317 matrix to successfully retain and recover compounds similar to those that are being lost during tank truck loading.