Abstract: A gas-driven air compressor system and a method for using it. No electricity, lubrication or cooling water is required. A high pressure gas used to drive the compressor may be recovered at a pressure high enough to be retain its economic value. In one preferred embodiment, the air compressor includes a gas-driven drive cylinder and an air-driven boost cylinder, interconnected by reciprocating drive and boost pistons. The drive piston supplies force to power the boost piston, which pulls in atmospheric air and discharges it at a higher pressure for use by pneumatically-operated controls and equipment. A four-way valve operating on differential gas pressure may be used to automatically actuate the reciprocating piston. Using the present invention, fugitive gas emissions, such as normally occur when using a separator to remove oil and water from a wellhead gas stream, may be avoided.

Abstract: A gas pressure booster and a method for using it, which recovers fugitive gas emissions such as at atmospheric pressure, boosts them such as to the pressure level of the low pressure gas sink, and returns them to, e.g., the low pressure gas sink, in a single stage of compression. No electricity or cooling water is required. All gas used to drive the vapor recovery booster may be recovered and vented to the low pressure gas sink. In one preferred embodiment, the gas pressure booster includes a drive cylinder and a boost cylinder interconnected by reciprocating drive and boost pistons. The drive piston supplies force powered by a first gas stream within the drive cylinder which exhausts to a second gas stream at a lower pressure. Fugitive gas emissions may be captured and transported to the lower pressure second gas stream to eliminate gas discharged to atmosphere.

Abstract: A gas pressure booster and a method for using it, which recovers fugitive gas emissions such as at atmospheric pressure, boosts them such as to the pressure level of the low pressure gas sink, and returns them to, e.g., the low pressure gas sink, in a single stage of compression. No electricity or cooling water is required. All gas used to drive the vapor recovery booster may be recovered and vented to the low pressure gas sink. In one preferred embodiment, the gas pressure booster includes a drive cylinder and a boost cylinder interconnected by reciprocating drive and boost pistons. The drive piston supplies force powered by a first gas stream within the drive cylinder which exhausts to a second gas stream at a lower pressure. Fugitive gas emissions may be captured and transported to the lower pressure second gas stream to eliminate gas discharged to atmosphere.