Barge Degassing

It is currently common practice that chemical tank barges having contained volatile cargos, degas their tanks into the atmosphere while sailing to the next loading point. In the context of sustainable development, there is growing pressure to limit degassing into the atmosphere.



With the Refrigerated Vapour Recovery System (RVRS) IPCO Power can offer a solution to reduce the VOC emissions from degassing events. The system recovers clean product from the vapours without reportable emissions. PURGIT RVRS uses a proprietary system that condenses and recovers tank vapours. Depending on the application PURGIT's condensers are capable to recover over 99% of the VOC.

The working of the PURGIT Refrigerated Vapour Recovery System

PURGIT RVRS uses a proprietary system that condenses and recovers tank vapours. This system draws the vapours out of the tank with a blower and then pushes them through a series of condensers. The VOC vapours are condensed back to their liquid phase and transferred to a holding tank or inserted right back into the cargo fill line. Depending on the application PURGIT's condensers are capable of recovering over 99% of the VOC. With few moving parts and stainless steel construction, these units are designed to operate for many years with minimal service. With the RVRS system VOC compounds are easily recovered. There is no combustion. Using non-polluting nitrogen as the refrigerant, this system is capable of the very low temperatures necessary to condense a wide range of products*. The RVRS's vapour recovery unit have been thoroughly tested in the field with a wide variety of products and have established a long track record of reliability and success.
*) Including chlorinated products

Closed Loop Tank Degassing
The PURGIT RVRS system is designed to degas atmospheric or inert barges (low or zero O2) and keep it inert throughout the operation. Drawing VOC vapours out of the tank, the PURGIT system condenses and removes the hydrocarbons from the vapour stream, returning only the non-condensable to the tank. Condensing and removal of the VOC in the tank or barge will continue until the required LEL level is reached. Normally it takes 1,5 times the volume of the tank. The RVRS will require approximately 1000 L nitrogen per 1000 cub of vapour.

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For an average size inland tanker of 3000 cub tank size with gasoline it will take approximately 10 hours to finish the degassing with the RVRS 1100 cub/hour. Approximately 500 L of products will be recovered.

Currently available are the RVRS C2 with a maximum capacity of 1100 cub/hour and the RVRS C3 with a maximum capacity of 1800 cub/hour. Based up on request we can design the system in several capacities (up to 4500 cub/hour) and designs.