Vapor Recovery Units | VOC Emission Control for Loading Terminals
♻️ DEC.VRU™ ♻️
As a global leader in APC (Air Pollution Control), DEC provides specialized VOC emission control solutions to capture and process fugitive emissions at truck, marine, and rail car loading terminals. The DEC.VRU™ recovers hydrocarbons during loading operations and at storage tank facilities, ensuring your operations maintain full environmental integrity while returning recovered product back into your stream.
What is a Vapor Recovery Unit? • DEC.VRU™
A Vapor Recovery Unit (DEC.VRU™) is an essential industrial system engineered to capture and process hydrocarbon vapors and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released during the loading and unloading of petroleum products at loading terminals and storage tank facilities.
Without a VRU, these displaced vapors are vented directly to the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and regulatory non-compliance. The DEC.VRU™ intercepts this vapor stream, processes it through high-efficiency recovery stages, and returns the recovered liquid hydrocarbons to the product stream, converting a potential environmental liability into recovered commercial value.
How it works? • DEC.VRU™
The VRU treats a mixture of atmospheric air and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), which typically makes up 20% to 50% of the volume. The system operates through the following stages:
• Adsorption phase: vapours pass through a layer of activated carbon. The VOC molecules adhere to the internal pores of the carbon through weak van der waals forces.
• Cyclic operation: systems typically use two or more carbon beds, alternating between adsorption and regeneration every 10 to 15 minutes.
• Adsorbent regeneration: to restore the adsorption capacity of the carbon, a regeneation process is applied [VSA - vacuum swing, through a vacuum pump reduces the internal pressure to 40-80 mbar(A)] or TSA - Thermal Swing [through a heating exchanger 100-250°C] or combining both processes (T+VSA). This shift in equilibrium releases the VOCs in a concentrated stream.
• Recovery and recycling: the concentrated VOC stream is directly processed in a dedicated condenser or sent to an absorber column: a liquid absorbent, usually fresh solvent (petrol), captures the hydrocarbons in a counter current flow. The remaining air is recycled back into the system feed.
The effectiveness of the VRU depends heavily on the quality and physical form of the activated carbon. While materials like wood or coconut shells have been used, mineral coal is the preferred raw material due to its stability and lower tendency to form dust.
While some designs may lead to a shorter lifespan of four to five years, a properly designed VRU typically ensures the activated carbon remains effective for 10 to 20 years.
Engineered VOC Recovery for Global Compliance • DEC.VRU™
DEC engineers advanced vapor recovery systems tailored for both large-scale industrial applications and smaller terminal operations. These units are specifically designed to meet the most stringent emission compliance requirements across the world, providing reliable technology to manage Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) effectively. By integrating high-efficiency adsorption and absorption processes, our systems turn potential environmental pollutants back into valuable liquid product. Each system is tailored to the specific regulatory requirements of the installation jurisdiction.
Loading Terminal & Storage Applications • DEC.VRU™
The DEC.VRU™ is configured to address the specific vapor generation characteristics and throughput demands of each loading terminal type.
Safety First • DEC.VRU™
Advanced safety and fire prevention, detection and suppression systems are available as options: check for our DEC.FPS™ & DEC.FSS™ process safety control modules, for fire prevention and suppression.
Layout that fits • DEC.VRU™
DEC Vapor Recovery Units (VRUs) are available in both skid modular layout (DEC.VRU_SMS™ • Smart Modular Systems, pre-built and pre-tested at our workshops) or in full customizable version (DEC.VRU_CBS™ • Custom Built Systems, with on-site erection).
Contact us • DEC.VRU™
If you are looking for a reliable and efficient Vapor Recovery Unit, DEC.VRUs™ (Vapor Recovery Units) are the right and best option: DEC.VRUs™ are the most advanced and reliable Vapor Recovery Units on the market, with processes, configurations and options to meet the needs of different applications, present and future challenges. Feel free to contact DEC: we can help you assess your needs and recommend the best VRU for your operation.
