Abstract: A method of removing hydrocarbon contaminants from a source stream, which is particularly applicable to removing volatile hydrocarbon contamination (such as from spilled gasoline) from an underground site. The source stream, which may be extracted from an underground site, is typically mixed with an oxygen containing second stream (preferably air) and the resulting mixed stream passed through a catalytic converter. One or more parameters are monitored which provide an indication of oxidation efficiency by the converter, and the flowrate of one (or both) the source and second streams adjusted so as to maintain efficient operation of the catalytic converter as the hydrocarbon concentration of the source stream changes. The monitoring and adjusting can be manual, or automatic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting blockages in one or more vapor flow lines such as vapor recovery lines used in liquid gasoline dispensing systems. The method and apparatus operate by sensing pressure in vapor flow lines and determining whether the frequency of the variations in the filtered rate of change with time of the pressure signal exceeds a preset limit indicating vapor bubbling through a liquid blockage. The method and apparatus also operate to determine whether the pressure signal exceeds a preset limit indicating a blockage condition.

Abstract: An improved pitless well adapter including a supported unit connected to a pump drop pipe and mating with a hanger unit. The hanger unit includes a body portion defining a passageway aligned with a passageway in the supported unit and a nipple portion extending outwardly through an aperture formed in a well casing below the ground surface. A sealing arrangement pressurized by pumped fluid is provided around the casing aperture and, preferably, an anti-syphon check valve is disposed in a seal pressurization passageway leading to the seal arrangement to prevent depressurization of the seal and contamination of the well upon reverse flow of the pumped fluid in the pump drop pipe. Double gaskets in one embodiment from a sealed chamber pressurized by pumped fluid entirely inside of the well casing about the casing aperture.

Abstract: A system for recovering and condensing vapors from a liquid process or storage tank in which a shell is connected to the tank for receiving the vapors from the tank, and a vortex tube is adapted to supply a stream of cold air into said shell. The cold air is passed in a heat exchange relation to the vapors in said shell to condense the vapors, and the condensed vapors are passed back to the tank.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and vapor recovery system and a vapor control unit used therein in which the control unit has a pair of inlets for receiving liquid, such as gasoline, from an underground storage tank and for receiving gasoline vapors from a vehicle tank during dispensing of the gasoline into the latter tank. A first passage is provided in the control unit for passing the gasoline from the storage tank to a hose connected to the vehicle tank, and an additional passage is provided in the control unit for diverting a portion of the gasoline. A valve is provided which controls the flow of gasoline through the additional passage in response to the flow of gasoline through the first passage and an injector nozzle is provided in the additional passage for drawing vapors from the vehicle tank and into the second passage for mixing with the gasoline before being discharged back to the storage tank.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and vapor recovery system in which an underground storage tank is connected to a first conduit for delivering a liquid, such as gasoline, to a vehicle gasoline tank or the like under the force of a pump located in the storage tank. A second conduit is connected to the first conduit and to the storage tank for diverting a portion of the gasoline in the first conduit back to the storage tank and an injector is located in the second conduit for forming a reduced pressure zone. A third conduit is connected to the vehicle tank and to the second conduit at the reduced pressure zone for drawing the vapors from the vehicle tank into the second conduit for passage into the storage tank. Valve means are provided which are responsive to the rate of flow of the liquid through the first conduit for regulating the flow of vapor through the third conduit.