Abstract: A vapor recovery unit comprising a vapor inlet for taking up hydrocarbon vapor from a loading facility or the like, and thereafter alternately allowing the vapor to flow to one of at least two adsorber vessels. Each adsorber vessel includes an entry port in the bottom of the adsorber vessel for receiving vapor. Hydrocarbons are retained on activated carbon beds in the adsorber vessels, resulting in purified air or other carrier gas which is removed through a discharge port also in the bottom of each adsorber vessel and released through an elevated vent to the atmosphere. Hydrocarbon vapor is desorbed from the adsorber vessel by a vacuum system and directed to a separator/absorber vessel wherein the desorbed vapor which has passed through the vacuum system is brought into contact with a hydrocarbon absorbent liquid or condenser. In use, when one adsorber vessel is taking in vapor from the vapor inlet, the other adsorber vessel is having its adsorbent bed desorbed or regenerated.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hydrocarbons from an air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture such as the mixture of air and vaporized light hydrocarbon compounds expelled as a result of loading gasoline, benzene or the like into storage tanks and tank trucks. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby the hydrocarbons are removed from the mixture and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially hydrocarbon-free air is produced. The substantially hydrocarbon-free air is vented to the atmosphere and a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons adsorbed thereon is subjected to conditions which cause desorption of the hydrocarbons and thereby regeneration of the bed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from an air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture such as the mixture of air and vaporized light hydrocarbon compounds expelled as a result of loading gasoline or the like into storage tanks, tank cars and tank trucks. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby the hydrocarbons ar removed from the mixture and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially hydrocarbon-free air is produced. The substantialy hydrocarbon-free air is vented to the atmosphere and while the first bed is removing hydrocarbons from the air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture, a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons adsorbed thereon is simultaneously regenerated by evacuating the bed with vacuum pumping and the air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture produced in the regeneration of the bed is contacted with a liquid absorbent whereby a major portion of the hydrocarbons are absorbed therefrom and recovered.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from inert gas-hydrocarbon vapor mixtures wherein the mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby the hydrocarbons are removed from the mixture and a residue gas stream comprised of substantially hydrocarbon-free inert gas is produced. A second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons previously adsorbed thereon is regenerated by evacuating the bed and the inert gas-hydrocarbon vapor mixture produced by the evacuation is contacted with a liquid absorbent whereby a major portion of the hydrocarbons are absorbed therefrom and recovered. The evacuation of the beds is accomplished using a vacuum pump with an integral cooling jacket for cooling the pump as well as the fluids pumped thereby attached thereto. A cooling medium such as the rich liquid absorbent produced in the process is caused to flow through the vacuum pump cooling jacket thereby cooling the pump and the inert gas-hydrocarbon mixture pumped thereby.