Posted on: 05. 18. 23
The oil and gas industry requires several pieces of equipment to create consumer-ready products that literally keep communities moving.
From gas conditioners to vapor recovery units (VRUs), the Pro-Gas team has seen it all and understands how each piece of equipment fits into our industry’s success story.
However, we like to educate our customers and understand there are many questions surrounding various equipment pieces.
Let’s put VRUs under the microscope and learn more about their purpose and how they benefit our thriving industry.
What is a Vapor Recovery Unit (VRU)?
A VRU is a system we use in the industry to recover vapors and gasses we generate during oil and gas production, processing, and storage.
VRUs are compression systems that capture and compress vapors and gasses. Once these vapors and gasses have been compressed, they are sent further into the production process and are injected into local site fuel gas systems or gas gathering lines.
Why is Vapor Recovery Important in the Oil and Gas Industry?
Raw vapors and gasses are horrible emissions to the environment. As our industry presses on with being more environmentally aware, we use vapor recovery to remain in environmental compliance and reduce the presence of contaminating vapors.
Vapor recovery also serves as an essential cost-saving process as we can meet consumer demand by recovering valuable resources that are reusable and profitable.
What are the Key Components of a VRU?
A Vapor Recovery Unit typically consists of four major components: a gas compressor, a scrubber, a switching device, and Variable Frequency Drives.
Gas compressors are the main device that reduces the natural gas’s volume and delivers it at a precise pressure that meets consumer regulations.
Scrubbers remove impurities like acid gasses, heavy hydrocarbons, and water from natural gas.
Pressure switches monitor gas pressure while the device is in use. It keeps a constant pressure within the unit and completely shuts down operations if pressure exceeds a specified level in the VRU.
What Are the Benefits of Using a VRU?
VRUs help companies reduce emissions and meet regulatory requirements while also recovering valuable resources that can be reused or sold.
Additionally, VRUs can help natural gas production facilities and production sites in the industry save money on energy costs by capturing and reusing otherwise wasted gasses.
What Types of VRUs Are Available?
There are several types of VRUs on the market. These include mechanical VRUs, thermal VRUs, and adsorption VRUs.
Mechanical VRUs use a compressor to capture and compress the vapors, while thermal VRUs use heat to vaporize the gasses and capture them for reuse or sale. Adsorption VRUs use activated carbon or other materials to capture and recover the vapors.
How can I Select the Right VRU for My Facility?
Selecting the right VRU for your operation depends on several factors, including the volume and type of vapors generated at your facility and the environmental requirements of your jurisdiction.
Navigating such requirements can be complex. That’s where we can step in and offer facility services that guide your site toward selecting the right equipment for your operations.
Need Help With Facility Equipment Selections? Call On Pro-Gas Services, LLC
Whether you are trying to master effective NGL storage or want to know more about the benefits of gas conditioning, the experts at Pro-Gas Services are here to help. We’ve made it our duty to provide facilities across the nation with premier natural gas facility services that keep production flowing.
Contact us today to learn more about our services!
