Storage, Transportation and Distribution

Measurements to check vapour recovery systems of public retail stations in Hamburg (Phase I)

DGMK jointly with the local authorities of health and environment, in close co-operation with the environmental authorities of the city of Hamburg, are thoroughly examining the vapour recovery systems at all public service stations in Hamburg.

In phase I 50 sites were examined in August/September 1999 by several measuring methods called liquid-measurement, liquid-check, quick-check (UPA 50/Flo-Tester) and dry-measurement procedure.

They delivered proportions and causes of bad performing and defective devices leading to appropriate
maintenance.

The dry-measurement procedure commonly used with regular checks by itself is not satisfactory to prove overall performance of the vapour recovery equipment.

It should always be supplemented by a liquid-check procedure in order to ensure that the assigned vapour pumps work.
As the drymeasurement procedure simulates a fuel flow it cannot detect such defects.
Complete breakdowns of vapour recovery systems can be localised reliably with the quick check devices UPA 50/Flo-Tester. But due to high error tolerances, quick check devices are not suitable for quantitative measurement of vapour recovery rates on service stations.