CA3024265C - Facility for storing and dispensing fuel - Google Patents
Facility for storing and dispensing fuel Download PDFInfo
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- CA3024265C CA3024265C CA3024265A CA3024265A CA3024265C CA 3024265 C CA3024265 C CA 3024265C CA 3024265 A CA3024265 A CA 3024265A CA 3024265 A CA3024265 A CA 3024265A CA 3024265 C CA3024265 C CA 3024265C
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- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- condensed
- evacuation line
- water
- storage tank
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
- B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
- B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
- B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
- B67D7/0488—Means for preventing the formation of condensation on, or for removing condensation from, vapour recovery lines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
- B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
- B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
- B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
- B67D7/049—Vapour recovery methods, e.g. condensing the vapour
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
- B67D7/06—Details or accessories
- B67D7/76—Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators
- B67D7/766—Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators of water separators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
- B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
- B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
- B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
- B67D2007/0494—Means for condensing the vapours and reintroducing them into the storage tanks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
- Supplying Secondary Fuel Or The Like To Fuel, Air Or Fuel-Air Mixtures (AREA)
Abstract
Installation de stockage et de distribution de carburant comprenant : - une cuve de stockage (2) équipée d'un conduit d'évent (3) et reliée à un distributeur de carburant (1) par un système de distribution de carburant et par un système de récupération de vapeurs (10), et - un dispositif de condensation / séparation (4) branché sur le conduit d'évent (3) et permettant de condenser des vapeurs de carburant provenant de la cuve de stockage (2) et de l'eau provenant de l'air extérieur, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend : - au moins un moyen de détection (7, 8) coopérant avec le dispositif de condensation / séparation (4) pour détecter la présence de carburant condensé et/ou d'eau condensée dans ce dispositif et générer et transmettre un signal d'alerte en réponse à cette détection, et - un dispositif de contrôle (9) recevant ce signal d'alerte et transmettant en réponse une information de dysfonctionnement du système de récupération des vapeurs de carburant (10) à un centre de contrôle (24).
Description
FACILITY FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FUEL
The present invention relates to a facility for storing and dispensing fuel for motor vehicles, such as a service station.
Such a facility comprises a fuel storage tank equipped with a vent pipe and connected to at least one fuel dispenser comprising a hose connected to a dispensing nozzle, on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system in a vehicle tank and on the other hand by a vapor recovery system aspirating the fuel vapor emitted dur-ing a dispensing of fuel in a tank.
Service stations are traditionally equipped with tanks able to store so-called light fuels such as lead-free gasoline SP 95 or SP 98, for example.
The gas phase of the light fuel may contain between 40 and 90% by volume of volatile organic compounds (VOC), some of which are very harmful to hu-man health; the gas complement is air loaded with water vapor or humidity.
It is thus very important to be able to prevent any emission of VOC
into the atmosphere, especially VOC generated entirely by light fuels during opera-tions of refilling the fuel tanks and dispensing fuel.
At the service stations each fuel storage tank, which is generally bur-ied, is equipped with a vent pipe having a valve ta prevent said tank being placed under excess pressure or partial vacuum and to balance out its pressure according to whether it is in partial vacuum or excess pressure.
A European regulation known a "phase II recovery" requires the re-covery of fuel vapor emitted outside the tank of a vehicle during its refilling in order to avoid an emission of gas phase containing hydrocarbons.
For this purpose, the facilities for storage and dispensing of fuel are equipped with a vapor recovery system having a gas phase collection conduit work-ing by aspiration and extending from the nozzle of the fuel dispenser to the storage tank.
This vapor recovery system comprises a pump to aspirate the vapor and a flow rate meter, able to measure the flow rate of the aspirated vapor.
A control system makes it possible to contrai and adjust the flow rate of the aspirated vapor sa that the volume ratio of fuel dispensed and vapor recovered is as close as possible to 1.
ln fact, the liquid fuel transferred to the tank of a vehicle drives out from that tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the liquid fuel delivered, being as-pirated by the fuel vapor recovery system; in theory, the volume of the aspirated gas phase is thus identical to the volume of liquid fuel delivered into the tank of the vehi-de, although this is not always the case in practice.
The present invention relates to a facility for storing and dispensing fuel for motor vehicles, such as a service station.
Such a facility comprises a fuel storage tank equipped with a vent pipe and connected to at least one fuel dispenser comprising a hose connected to a dispensing nozzle, on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system in a vehicle tank and on the other hand by a vapor recovery system aspirating the fuel vapor emitted dur-ing a dispensing of fuel in a tank.
Service stations are traditionally equipped with tanks able to store so-called light fuels such as lead-free gasoline SP 95 or SP 98, for example.
The gas phase of the light fuel may contain between 40 and 90% by volume of volatile organic compounds (VOC), some of which are very harmful to hu-man health; the gas complement is air loaded with water vapor or humidity.
It is thus very important to be able to prevent any emission of VOC
into the atmosphere, especially VOC generated entirely by light fuels during opera-tions of refilling the fuel tanks and dispensing fuel.
At the service stations each fuel storage tank, which is generally bur-ied, is equipped with a vent pipe having a valve ta prevent said tank being placed under excess pressure or partial vacuum and to balance out its pressure according to whether it is in partial vacuum or excess pressure.
A European regulation known a "phase II recovery" requires the re-covery of fuel vapor emitted outside the tank of a vehicle during its refilling in order to avoid an emission of gas phase containing hydrocarbons.
For this purpose, the facilities for storage and dispensing of fuel are equipped with a vapor recovery system having a gas phase collection conduit work-ing by aspiration and extending from the nozzle of the fuel dispenser to the storage tank.
This vapor recovery system comprises a pump to aspirate the vapor and a flow rate meter, able to measure the flow rate of the aspirated vapor.
A control system makes it possible to contrai and adjust the flow rate of the aspirated vapor sa that the volume ratio of fuel dispensed and vapor recovered is as close as possible to 1.
ln fact, the liquid fuel transferred to the tank of a vehicle drives out from that tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the liquid fuel delivered, being as-pirated by the fuel vapor recovery system; in theory, the volume of the aspirated gas phase is thus identical to the volume of liquid fuel delivered into the tank of the vehi-de, although this is not always the case in practice.
2 In fact, it often happens that the vapor recovery system does flot work properly and the aforementioned theoretical ratio of 1 is flot attained.
Thus, this results in an excess pressure or a partial vacuum in the storage tank with a rebalancing by the vent pipe; this rebalancing generates either an emission of gas phase laden with hydrocarbons to the outside when the tank is under excess pressure, or an entry of air from the outside, laden with humidity, into the tank when the tank is under partial vacuum.
These phenomena are further amplified by the presence of signifi-cant temperature differences between the storage tank and the ambient air, as is of-ten the case during times of intense heat associated with high relative humidity of the air.
In the case of a partial vacuum, air is aspirated through the vent and water vapor is thus transferred from the outside into the storage tank by the vent pipe to make possible the compensation or the rebalancing of the pressure in that tank.
Humidity may likewise be transferred into the storage tank by the re-turn of the aspirated gas phase in the tanks of vehicles, which are themselves in con-tact with the outside air and thus laden with humidity.
Hence, the result is a presence of air laden with humidity in the fuel storage tanks.
This humidity has the drawback of causing corrosion of the walls of the tank which, in the end, may become perforated, spilling fuel into the subsoil and causing a not insignificant pollution.
Moreover, this humidity may result in a freezing of the water in the presence of negative temperatures with a risk of blocking the vent lmes or the fuel dispensing lmes.
In the case of excess pressure in the tank, a gas phase laden with hydrocarbons is emitted into the atmosphere via the vent pipe, causing pollution.
To remedy these drawbacks, it has already been proposed to equip the facilities for storing and dispensing of fuel with a condensation/separation device connected to the vent pipe of the storage tank and making it possible to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense the water coming from the outside air in order to generate condensed water; said condensation/separation device being connected to the storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line to the outside, in particular to the spent water mains.
As an example, there has already been proposed according to the document WO 2014 096 596 a light fuel storage and dispensing facility able to both recover gaseous hydrocarbons resulting from light fuels by refrigeration type conden-
Thus, this results in an excess pressure or a partial vacuum in the storage tank with a rebalancing by the vent pipe; this rebalancing generates either an emission of gas phase laden with hydrocarbons to the outside when the tank is under excess pressure, or an entry of air from the outside, laden with humidity, into the tank when the tank is under partial vacuum.
These phenomena are further amplified by the presence of signifi-cant temperature differences between the storage tank and the ambient air, as is of-ten the case during times of intense heat associated with high relative humidity of the air.
In the case of a partial vacuum, air is aspirated through the vent and water vapor is thus transferred from the outside into the storage tank by the vent pipe to make possible the compensation or the rebalancing of the pressure in that tank.
Humidity may likewise be transferred into the storage tank by the re-turn of the aspirated gas phase in the tanks of vehicles, which are themselves in con-tact with the outside air and thus laden with humidity.
Hence, the result is a presence of air laden with humidity in the fuel storage tanks.
This humidity has the drawback of causing corrosion of the walls of the tank which, in the end, may become perforated, spilling fuel into the subsoil and causing a not insignificant pollution.
Moreover, this humidity may result in a freezing of the water in the presence of negative temperatures with a risk of blocking the vent lmes or the fuel dispensing lmes.
In the case of excess pressure in the tank, a gas phase laden with hydrocarbons is emitted into the atmosphere via the vent pipe, causing pollution.
To remedy these drawbacks, it has already been proposed to equip the facilities for storing and dispensing of fuel with a condensation/separation device connected to the vent pipe of the storage tank and making it possible to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense the water coming from the outside air in order to generate condensed water; said condensation/separation device being connected to the storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line to the outside, in particular to the spent water mains.
As an example, there has already been proposed according to the document WO 2014 096 596 a light fuel storage and dispensing facility able to both recover gaseous hydrocarbons resulting from light fuels by refrigeration type conden-
3 sation at subzero temperature and to dehumidify the outside air during the storing and dispensing of fuels.
This fuel storage and dispensing facility comprises in particular a condenser to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and a dehumidi-fier for the outside air admitted into this tank.
This facility is thus able to prevent pollution outside of the storage tank and to prevent a contamination of the fuel of this tank with water, in event of its excess pressure or partial vacuum.
However, this facility is flot able to identify the problem causing said excess pressure or partial vacuum in the storage tank and in particular it is flot able to detect a malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system, in particular to detect a leak in the channel connecting the dispensing nozzle to the storage tank.
The purpose of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a fuel storage and dispensing facility of the aforementioned kind which is able to recover the gaseous hydrocarbons emanating from the storage tank and to prevent the contamination of said tank with water emanating from the outside air, while making it possible to detect malfunctions of the fuel vapor recovery system.
According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facility comprises at least one fuel dispenser having a hose connected to a dispensing noz-zle, which is connected to a fuel storage tank, and a fuel vapor recovery system aspi-rating the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in a vehicle tank.
The fuel vapor recovery system is connected to the fuel storage tank.
The facility also comprises a vent pipe connected on the one hand to the fuel storage tank and on the other hand to a condensation/separation device able to condense fuel vapor coming from the storage tank in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense water coming from the outside air in order to generate con-densed water.
The condensation/separation device is connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line connected to the fuel storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line, connected to the outside of the fuel tank.
According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facility is characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means cooperating with the condensation/separation device for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to said detection, and
This fuel storage and dispensing facility comprises in particular a condenser to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and a dehumidi-fier for the outside air admitted into this tank.
This facility is thus able to prevent pollution outside of the storage tank and to prevent a contamination of the fuel of this tank with water, in event of its excess pressure or partial vacuum.
However, this facility is flot able to identify the problem causing said excess pressure or partial vacuum in the storage tank and in particular it is flot able to detect a malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system, in particular to detect a leak in the channel connecting the dispensing nozzle to the storage tank.
The purpose of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a fuel storage and dispensing facility of the aforementioned kind which is able to recover the gaseous hydrocarbons emanating from the storage tank and to prevent the contamination of said tank with water emanating from the outside air, while making it possible to detect malfunctions of the fuel vapor recovery system.
According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facility comprises at least one fuel dispenser having a hose connected to a dispensing noz-zle, which is connected to a fuel storage tank, and a fuel vapor recovery system aspi-rating the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in a vehicle tank.
The fuel vapor recovery system is connected to the fuel storage tank.
The facility also comprises a vent pipe connected on the one hand to the fuel storage tank and on the other hand to a condensation/separation device able to condense fuel vapor coming from the storage tank in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense water coming from the outside air in order to generate con-densed water.
The condensation/separation device is connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line connected to the fuel storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line, connected to the outside of the fuel tank.
According to the invention, this fuel storage and dispensing facility is characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means cooperating with the condensation/separation device for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to said detection, and
4 - a control device receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system to a control center.
This control center may be situated in the fuel dispenser, in the kiosk of the service station, or at a distance from the service station; a remote command center may be provided, linked to multiple control centers of multiple service stations.
Thus, there is provided a facility for storing and dispensing fuel, comprising:
lo - a fuel storage tank equipped with a vent pipe and connected to at least one fuel dispenser on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system in a vehicle tank and, on the other hand, by a vapor recovery system which aspirates the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in this tank, and - a condensation/separation device connected to the vent pipe and allowing fuel vapor coming from the storage tank to be condensed in order to generate condensed fuel and water coming from the outside air to be condensed in order to generate condensed water, said condensation/separation device being connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line connected to the storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line to the outside, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means cooperating with the condensation/separation device for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal when the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water is detected in the device, and - a control device receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system to a control center.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the condensation/separation device comprises on the one hand a condenser which 4a condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and the water coming from the outside air and on the other hand a separator connected to said condenser and comprising two outlets, namely, a first outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and a second outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line.
The condenser which is connected to the vent circuit and which condenses the fuel and water vapors at the same time thus provided at its output a mixture of condensed fuel and water, and it operates preferably at a temperature of around -2 C to avoid the accumulation of ice, and it generally comprises a channeling in which there circulates a fluid cooled by a compressor.
The separator, which is connected to the condenser, makes it possible to separate the condensed water from the condensed fuel which, being lighter, floats on top of the latter.
According to this first embodiment of the invention, the two outlets of the separator are each equipped with an automatically controlled valve cooperating with a condensate detector making it possible to detect the nature of the condensate contained in this separator, namely, a first valve able to open or close the first outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and a second valve able to open or close the second outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line, according to the nature of the condensate detected.
The condensate detector makes it possible to detect the nature or the density of the condensate (water or hydrocarbons).
When the nature or the density of the condensate has been detected, the appropriate valve can be opened to evacuate either the hydrocarbons to the storage tank by the condensed fuel evacuation line or the water, in particular to the spent water mains, by the condensed water evacuation line.
The condensate detector in particular makes it possible to detect the density of the condensate; the density of the hydrocarbons and the density of the water being different, this detector is thus able to differentiate between these liquids.
The condensate detector may likewise be an optical infrared detec-tor.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the condensa-tion/separation device comprises on the one hand a fuel vapor condenser able to
This control center may be situated in the fuel dispenser, in the kiosk of the service station, or at a distance from the service station; a remote command center may be provided, linked to multiple control centers of multiple service stations.
Thus, there is provided a facility for storing and dispensing fuel, comprising:
lo - a fuel storage tank equipped with a vent pipe and connected to at least one fuel dispenser on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system in a vehicle tank and, on the other hand, by a vapor recovery system which aspirates the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in this tank, and - a condensation/separation device connected to the vent pipe and allowing fuel vapor coming from the storage tank to be condensed in order to generate condensed fuel and water coming from the outside air to be condensed in order to generate condensed water, said condensation/separation device being connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line connected to the storage tank and to a condensed water evacuation line to the outside, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means cooperating with the condensation/separation device for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal when the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water is detected in the device, and - a control device receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system to a control center.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the condensation/separation device comprises on the one hand a condenser which 4a condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and the water coming from the outside air and on the other hand a separator connected to said condenser and comprising two outlets, namely, a first outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and a second outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line.
The condenser which is connected to the vent circuit and which condenses the fuel and water vapors at the same time thus provided at its output a mixture of condensed fuel and water, and it operates preferably at a temperature of around -2 C to avoid the accumulation of ice, and it generally comprises a channeling in which there circulates a fluid cooled by a compressor.
The separator, which is connected to the condenser, makes it possible to separate the condensed water from the condensed fuel which, being lighter, floats on top of the latter.
According to this first embodiment of the invention, the two outlets of the separator are each equipped with an automatically controlled valve cooperating with a condensate detector making it possible to detect the nature of the condensate contained in this separator, namely, a first valve able to open or close the first outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and a second valve able to open or close the second outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line, according to the nature of the condensate detected.
The condensate detector makes it possible to detect the nature or the density of the condensate (water or hydrocarbons).
When the nature or the density of the condensate has been detected, the appropriate valve can be opened to evacuate either the hydrocarbons to the storage tank by the condensed fuel evacuation line or the water, in particular to the spent water mains, by the condensed water evacuation line.
The condensate detector in particular makes it possible to detect the density of the condensate; the density of the hydrocarbons and the density of the water being different, this detector is thus able to differentiate between these liquids.
The condensate detector may likewise be an optical infrared detec-tor.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the condensa-tion/separation device comprises on the one hand a fuel vapor condenser able to
5 condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank and having an outlet connect-ed to the condensed fuel evacuation le, and on the other hand a dehumidifier able to condense the water coming from the outside air and having an outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line.
The condenser and the dehumidifier are connected in series to the to vent pipe, the condenser being located upstream from the dehumidifier in the direc-tion of circulation of the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank.
According to this second embodiment of the invention, the condenser of fuel vapor, which works at lower temperatures than the dehumidifier, substantially condenses only the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank, which is evacuated at once by the condensed fuel evacuation line.
Very little fuel vapor leaves the fuel vapor condenser in the direction of the dehumidifier, making it possible to condense the water from the air aspirated into the vent pipe.
This water, sa condensed, is evacuated by the condensed water evacuation line.
The facility according to this second embodiment of the invention is in fact simpler than that corresponding to the first embodiment insofar as it allows one to avoid the use of a hard to manage separator and to avoid the pollution of the evacuation lmes with the respective condensates.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, the facility may comprise a single detection means or two detection means.
According to a first variant of this first embodiment, this detection means may be composed of a volume meter, such as a flow meter installed between the condenser and the separator and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the measurement of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.
According to a second variant of this first embodiment of the inven-tion, one or two detection means may be installed in the separator, generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the detection of a predefined volume of condensate in this separator.
Such a detection means may, for example, be composed of a gauge having a float with a buoyancy adapted to float in the fuel and in the water and equipped with a magnet, cooperating with a magnetic contactor positioned at a high level sa that when the float reaches this high level the contactor detects the presence
The condenser and the dehumidifier are connected in series to the to vent pipe, the condenser being located upstream from the dehumidifier in the direc-tion of circulation of the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank.
According to this second embodiment of the invention, the condenser of fuel vapor, which works at lower temperatures than the dehumidifier, substantially condenses only the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank, which is evacuated at once by the condensed fuel evacuation line.
Very little fuel vapor leaves the fuel vapor condenser in the direction of the dehumidifier, making it possible to condense the water from the air aspirated into the vent pipe.
This water, sa condensed, is evacuated by the condensed water evacuation line.
The facility according to this second embodiment of the invention is in fact simpler than that corresponding to the first embodiment insofar as it allows one to avoid the use of a hard to manage separator and to avoid the pollution of the evacuation lmes with the respective condensates.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, the facility may comprise a single detection means or two detection means.
According to a first variant of this first embodiment, this detection means may be composed of a volume meter, such as a flow meter installed between the condenser and the separator and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the measurement of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.
According to a second variant of this first embodiment of the inven-tion, one or two detection means may be installed in the separator, generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the detection of a predefined volume of condensate in this separator.
Such a detection means may, for example, be composed of a gauge having a float with a buoyancy adapted to float in the fuel and in the water and equipped with a magnet, cooperating with a magnetic contactor positioned at a high level sa that when the float reaches this high level the contactor detects the presence
6 of the float and transmits a warning signal to the contrai device which commands in parallel the opening of the valve at the appropriate exit of the separator to enable the evacuation of the condensed fuel or the condensed water contained in this separator.
Such a float can thus move between a low level and a high level, de-s fining a known volume V.
The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, each activation of the contactor transmits to the control device information as to the volume V of condensate evacuated.
In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the con-trol device generates information about the volume.
Each pulse is associated with a volume V and a number n of pulses corresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detection means Vt=nV.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, the detection means installed in the separator may also be a gauge provided with two floats having two different densities, namely, one density adapted to float in the fuel and one den-sity adapted to float in the water, these two floats cooperating with two different con-tactors.
In a variant, the separator may comprise tvvo magnetostrictive probes, namely, a first probe having a density adapted to float in the fuel and a sec-ond probe having a float adapted to float in the water, but flot in the fuel.
The magnetostrictive probes, which are familier in themselves and which can indicate a volume in real time, are particularly suited to the case when the separator contains a mixture of fuel and water.
The relative positions of the probes with respect to each other make it possible to know the level of each condensate and to actuate the opening and clos-ing of the valves in consequence.
In fact, if the separator contains only water, once there has been a recuperation of the fuel vapor, the two floats are basically at the same level.
The control device then commands only the opening of the second valve to evacuate the condensed water, in particular to the spent water mains.
If the separator contains water and fuel, the float of the first probe is positioned higher than the float of the second probe.
The contrai device is then notified as to the presence of the two phases and it first commands the opening of the second valve to evacuate the water which is denser than the fuel.
When the water has been evacuated, the float of the second water probe reaches its lowest level and remains there, since it does flot float in the fuel; as =
=
Such a float can thus move between a low level and a high level, de-s fining a known volume V.
The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, each activation of the contactor transmits to the control device information as to the volume V of condensate evacuated.
In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the con-trol device generates information about the volume.
Each pulse is associated with a volume V and a number n of pulses corresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detection means Vt=nV.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, the detection means installed in the separator may also be a gauge provided with two floats having two different densities, namely, one density adapted to float in the fuel and one den-sity adapted to float in the water, these two floats cooperating with two different con-tactors.
In a variant, the separator may comprise tvvo magnetostrictive probes, namely, a first probe having a density adapted to float in the fuel and a sec-ond probe having a float adapted to float in the water, but flot in the fuel.
The magnetostrictive probes, which are familier in themselves and which can indicate a volume in real time, are particularly suited to the case when the separator contains a mixture of fuel and water.
The relative positions of the probes with respect to each other make it possible to know the level of each condensate and to actuate the opening and clos-ing of the valves in consequence.
In fact, if the separator contains only water, once there has been a recuperation of the fuel vapor, the two floats are basically at the same level.
The control device then commands only the opening of the second valve to evacuate the condensed water, in particular to the spent water mains.
If the separator contains water and fuel, the float of the first probe is positioned higher than the float of the second probe.
The contrai device is then notified as to the presence of the two phases and it first commands the opening of the second valve to evacuate the water which is denser than the fuel.
When the water has been evacuated, the float of the second water probe reaches its lowest level and remains there, since it does flot float in the fuel; as =
=
7 for the float of the first probe for fuel, this is positioned on top of the float assigned to the water.
The control device recognizes the relative positions of the two floats and then commands the closing of the second valve and the opening of the first valve to evacuate the fuel.
Thus, this embodiment, making use of two magnetostrictive probes, is able to both detect an abnormal functioning of the vapor recovery system, measure the volumes of condensates, since the position of the probes in the separator corre-sponds to a given volume, and also contrai automatically the opening of the valves.
According to another characteristic of the invention which may be applied to the first embodiment and to the second embodiment, the facility comprises two detection means, namely, a first detection means connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and generating and transmitting a warning signal for excess pressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel in the condensed fuel evac-uation line and a second detection means connected to the condensed water evacu-ation line and generating and transmitting a warning signal for underpressure in response to the detection of condensed water in the condensed water evacuation line.
The detection of condensate by the first detection means makes it possible to know that the storage tank is under excess pressure and thus that the fuel vapor recovery system is recovering a greater volume of fuel vapor than the vol-ume of fuel delivered to the tank of the vehicle; hence, a malfunction is present.
On the other hand, when the storage tank is under partial vacuum, air is aspirated by the vent pipe and condensed water is evacuated by the condensed water evacuation line and detected by the second detection means, which generates a warning signal for underpressure which is sent to the contrai device.
A malfunction message is then sent to the contrai center.
These means of detection may be composed of volume meters such as flow meters generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the measuring of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.
These means of detection may likewise each comprise a gauge lodged in a receptacle connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line or to the condensed water evacuation line and having one inlet and one outlet.
Each gauge comprises a float cooperating with a contactor posi-tioned at a high level.
VVhen the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor and a valve opens the outlet of the receptacle connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line or the receptacle connected to the condensed water evacuation line.
The control device recognizes the relative positions of the two floats and then commands the closing of the second valve and the opening of the first valve to evacuate the fuel.
Thus, this embodiment, making use of two magnetostrictive probes, is able to both detect an abnormal functioning of the vapor recovery system, measure the volumes of condensates, since the position of the probes in the separator corre-sponds to a given volume, and also contrai automatically the opening of the valves.
According to another characteristic of the invention which may be applied to the first embodiment and to the second embodiment, the facility comprises two detection means, namely, a first detection means connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line and generating and transmitting a warning signal for excess pressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel in the condensed fuel evac-uation line and a second detection means connected to the condensed water evacu-ation line and generating and transmitting a warning signal for underpressure in response to the detection of condensed water in the condensed water evacuation line.
The detection of condensate by the first detection means makes it possible to know that the storage tank is under excess pressure and thus that the fuel vapor recovery system is recovering a greater volume of fuel vapor than the vol-ume of fuel delivered to the tank of the vehicle; hence, a malfunction is present.
On the other hand, when the storage tank is under partial vacuum, air is aspirated by the vent pipe and condensed water is evacuated by the condensed water evacuation line and detected by the second detection means, which generates a warning signal for underpressure which is sent to the contrai device.
A malfunction message is then sent to the contrai center.
These means of detection may be composed of volume meters such as flow meters generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the measuring of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.
These means of detection may likewise each comprise a gauge lodged in a receptacle connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line or to the condensed water evacuation line and having one inlet and one outlet.
Each gauge comprises a float cooperating with a contactor posi-tioned at a high level.
VVhen the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor and a valve opens the outlet of the receptacle connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line or the receptacle connected to the condensed water evacuation line.
8 The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, each activation of a contactor sends a message to the control device that a volume V
of condensate has been evacuated.
In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the con-trol device generates a volume message.
Each pulse is associated with a volume V, and thus a number n of pulses corresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detection means Vt = nV.
The use of a flow meter in a variant also makes it possible to know the volume of condensate recovered.
During a defined period of time, the larger the volume of condensate and the greater the malfunctioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, the more the volume of fuel delivered to the vehicle will differ from the volume of recovered fuel vapor.
If the fuel vapor recovery system inside the fuel dispenser is con-trolled and functioning normally, a malfunction detected by the means of detection means that the conduit of the fuel vapor recovery system situated between the fuel dispenser and the fuel tank has a leak.
The volumes of condensate calculated make it possible to know ap-proximately the magnitude of this leak, and primarily the volume of fuel vapor lost.
The invention also makes it possible to detect abnormal losses of liq-uid fuel.
In fact, it is possible to know approximately the volume of air aspirat-ed into the vent pipe as a function of the volume of condensed water, given the pro-portion of water in the air and the density of water.
The volume of air aspirated is equivalent to the volume of fuel vapor not recovered in the storage tank and which should have been recovered.
Hence, there is more liquid fuel delivered by the fuel dispenser and thus aspirated into the fuel storage tank than vapor recovered in the fuel storage tank.
The measured volume of condensed water then allows an approxi-mate quantification of the loss of liquid fuel.
In event of a proper functioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, this loss may be due to a fuel leak or to fraudulent fuel deliveries.
In theory, and as already pointed out, the volume of fuel aspirated in-to the fuel storage tank corresponds to the volume of fuel vapor recovered in the storage tank by the fuel vapor recovery system and the volume of air aspirated by the vent pipe.
of condensate has been evacuated.
In other words, each warning signal or pulse transmitted to the con-trol device generates a volume message.
Each pulse is associated with a volume V, and thus a number n of pulses corresponds to a total volume of condensate detected by the detection means Vt = nV.
The use of a flow meter in a variant also makes it possible to know the volume of condensate recovered.
During a defined period of time, the larger the volume of condensate and the greater the malfunctioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, the more the volume of fuel delivered to the vehicle will differ from the volume of recovered fuel vapor.
If the fuel vapor recovery system inside the fuel dispenser is con-trolled and functioning normally, a malfunction detected by the means of detection means that the conduit of the fuel vapor recovery system situated between the fuel dispenser and the fuel tank has a leak.
The volumes of condensate calculated make it possible to know ap-proximately the magnitude of this leak, and primarily the volume of fuel vapor lost.
The invention also makes it possible to detect abnormal losses of liq-uid fuel.
In fact, it is possible to know approximately the volume of air aspirat-ed into the vent pipe as a function of the volume of condensed water, given the pro-portion of water in the air and the density of water.
The volume of air aspirated is equivalent to the volume of fuel vapor not recovered in the storage tank and which should have been recovered.
Hence, there is more liquid fuel delivered by the fuel dispenser and thus aspirated into the fuel storage tank than vapor recovered in the fuel storage tank.
The measured volume of condensed water then allows an approxi-mate quantification of the loss of liquid fuel.
In event of a proper functioning of the fuel vapor recovery system, this loss may be due to a fuel leak or to fraudulent fuel deliveries.
In theory, and as already pointed out, the volume of fuel aspirated in-to the fuel storage tank corresponds to the volume of fuel vapor recovered in the storage tank by the fuel vapor recovery system and the volume of air aspirated by the vent pipe.
9 The difference between the volume of fuel aspirated and calculated by this method and the volume of fuel delivered and measured by the fuel meter dis-penser allows a calculation of the volume of fuel lost abnormally.
The characteristics of the facility which is the subject of the invention shall be described in further detail with reference to the nonlimiting drawings ap-pended herewith, in which:
- figure 1 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility for a ve-hicle according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention, - figure 2 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility carre-sponding to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention, - figure 3 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility for a ve-hicle corresponding to the second embodiment of the invention.
According to figures 1, 2 and 3, the fuel storage and dispensing facili-ty for a vehicle comprises a fuel dispenser 1 having a hose 11 connected to a nozzle 12.
The fuel dispenser 1 is connected to a fuel storage tank 2 which is generally underground.
The fuel dispenser 1 traditionally comprises a fuel dispensing system 26 having a pump unit aspirating fuel from the fuel storage tank 2 and a flow meter measuring the flow rate of fuel delivered.
The fuel storage and dispensing facility further comprises a fuel va-por recovery system 10 making it possible to aspirate the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in the tank of a vehicle.
The liquid fuel transferred to the tank of the vehicle drives out from this tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the volume of liquid fuel delivered, which is aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system 10.
The fuel vapor recovery system 10 is connected to the fuel storage tank 2 by a recovery line 25 so as to transfer the aspirated fuel vapor to the storage tank 2.
The fuel vapor recovery system 10 traditionally comprises a pump to aspirate the fuel vapor and a flow meter allowing a measuring of the flow rate of aspi-rated vapor.
A control system makes it possible to control and adjust the flow rate of aspirated vapor so that the ratio of the distributed fuel volume to the recovered va-por volume is as close as possible to 1.
The facility further comprises a vent pipe 3 connected on the one hand to the fuel storage tank 2 and on the other hand to a condensation/separation device 4 making it possible to condense fuel vapor coming from the storage tank 2 in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense water coming from the outside air in order to generate condensed water.
The vent pipe 3 comprises a valve 27 and a flame arrester at its out-er end 23.
5 The condensation/separation device 4 is connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line 5 which is connected to the storage tank 2 and to a condensed water evacuation line 6 which is connected to the spent water mains.
The condensation/separation device 4 is able to condense the hy-drocarbons expelled by the storage tank 2 when there is an excess pressure in this
The characteristics of the facility which is the subject of the invention shall be described in further detail with reference to the nonlimiting drawings ap-pended herewith, in which:
- figure 1 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility for a ve-hicle according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention, - figure 2 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility carre-sponding to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention, - figure 3 represents schematically a fuel storage and dispensing facility for a ve-hicle corresponding to the second embodiment of the invention.
According to figures 1, 2 and 3, the fuel storage and dispensing facili-ty for a vehicle comprises a fuel dispenser 1 having a hose 11 connected to a nozzle 12.
The fuel dispenser 1 is connected to a fuel storage tank 2 which is generally underground.
The fuel dispenser 1 traditionally comprises a fuel dispensing system 26 having a pump unit aspirating fuel from the fuel storage tank 2 and a flow meter measuring the flow rate of fuel delivered.
The fuel storage and dispensing facility further comprises a fuel va-por recovery system 10 making it possible to aspirate the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in the tank of a vehicle.
The liquid fuel transferred to the tank of the vehicle drives out from this tank a volume of fuel vapor equivalent to the volume of liquid fuel delivered, which is aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system 10.
The fuel vapor recovery system 10 is connected to the fuel storage tank 2 by a recovery line 25 so as to transfer the aspirated fuel vapor to the storage tank 2.
The fuel vapor recovery system 10 traditionally comprises a pump to aspirate the fuel vapor and a flow meter allowing a measuring of the flow rate of aspi-rated vapor.
A control system makes it possible to control and adjust the flow rate of aspirated vapor so that the ratio of the distributed fuel volume to the recovered va-por volume is as close as possible to 1.
The facility further comprises a vent pipe 3 connected on the one hand to the fuel storage tank 2 and on the other hand to a condensation/separation device 4 making it possible to condense fuel vapor coming from the storage tank 2 in order to generate condensed fuel and to condense water coming from the outside air in order to generate condensed water.
The vent pipe 3 comprises a valve 27 and a flame arrester at its out-er end 23.
5 The condensation/separation device 4 is connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line 5 which is connected to the storage tank 2 and to a condensed water evacuation line 6 which is connected to the spent water mains.
The condensation/separation device 4 is able to condense the hy-drocarbons expelled by the storage tank 2 when there is an excess pressure in this
10 tank, in order to avoid environmental pollution.
This device 4 is also able to trap the air aspirated by the vent pipe 3 when there is an underpressure in the storage tank in order to avoid having water in this tank.
The facility for storing and dispensing of fuel likewise comprises at least one detection means which shah l be described in greater detail below, and which cooperates with the condensation/separation device 4 to detect the presence of condensed fuel and/or water in this facility and to generate and transmit a warning signal in response to said detection.
This warning signal is transmitted to a control device 9 which trans-mits in response a message of malfunction of the vapor recovery system 10 to a con-trol center 24.
The detection means and the contrai device thus constitute a device for monitoring of the vapor recovery system 10, making it possible to alert the opera-tor in event of a malfunction so as to allow an intervention to correct said malfunction.
According to figures 1 and 2, the condensation/separation device 4 comprises a condenser 13 connected to the vent pipe 3 and condensing both the fuel vapor coming from the fuel storage tank 2 and the water coming from the outside air.
The condenser 13 is connected to a separator 14 which separates the hydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.
This separator 14 has two outlets 15, 16, namely, a first outlet 15 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 and a second outlet 16 connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
The two outlets 15, 16 of the separator 14 each comprise an auto-matically controlled valve 19, 20, namely, a first valve 19 opening or closing the first outlet 15 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 and a second valve opening or closing the second outlet 16 connected to the condensed water evacua-tion line 6.
õ =
This device 4 is also able to trap the air aspirated by the vent pipe 3 when there is an underpressure in the storage tank in order to avoid having water in this tank.
The facility for storing and dispensing of fuel likewise comprises at least one detection means which shah l be described in greater detail below, and which cooperates with the condensation/separation device 4 to detect the presence of condensed fuel and/or water in this facility and to generate and transmit a warning signal in response to said detection.
This warning signal is transmitted to a control device 9 which trans-mits in response a message of malfunction of the vapor recovery system 10 to a con-trol center 24.
The detection means and the contrai device thus constitute a device for monitoring of the vapor recovery system 10, making it possible to alert the opera-tor in event of a malfunction so as to allow an intervention to correct said malfunction.
According to figures 1 and 2, the condensation/separation device 4 comprises a condenser 13 connected to the vent pipe 3 and condensing both the fuel vapor coming from the fuel storage tank 2 and the water coming from the outside air.
The condenser 13 is connected to a separator 14 which separates the hydrocarbon phase from the aqueous phase.
This separator 14 has two outlets 15, 16, namely, a first outlet 15 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 and a second outlet 16 connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
The two outlets 15, 16 of the separator 14 each comprise an auto-matically controlled valve 19, 20, namely, a first valve 19 opening or closing the first outlet 15 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 and a second valve opening or closing the second outlet 16 connected to the condensed water evacua-tion line 6.
õ =
11 The separator 14 likewise comprises a condensate detector, flot shown in the figures, able to detect the nature (water or hydrocarbons) of the con-densate contained therein.
VVhen the nature of this condensate has been detected, the appro-priate valve 19, 20 may be opened to evacuate either fuel to the storage tank 2 by the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 or water to the spent water mains by the con-densed water evacuation line 6.
According to figure 1, the detection means 7 is mounted in the sepa-rator 14 and comprises a gauge transmitting a warning signal when a high level of condensate is detected in the separator 14.
This gauge comprises a float 17 having a buoyancy adapted to float in fuel and water.
The water contained in the separator 14 may corne from the air aspi-rated by the vent pipe 3, but also from fuel vapor aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system 10 which also aspirates a bit of air.
The float 17 is equipped with a magnet, activating a magnetic contac-tor 18 positioned at a high level.
VVhen the float 17 reaches this high level, the contactor 18 detects the presence of the float 17 and transmits a warning signal to the control device 9.
According to figure 2, the facility comprises a first detection means 7 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 in order to detect the presence of condensed fuel and a second detection means 8 connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6 to detect the presence of condensed water.
The first detection means 7 generates a warning signal of excess pressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel, while the second detection means 8 generates a warning signal of underpressure in response to the detection of condensed water.
The detection means 7, 8 are composed of gauges lodged in a re-ceptacle equipped with a valve connected to an outlet of this receptacle.
In a manner not represented, each gauge comprises a float which can move between a high level and a low level and cooperating with a contactor po-sitioned at the high level.
VVhen the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor and the valve opens the outlet of the receptacle corresponding to the first detection means 7 or to the second detection means 8.
The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, each activation of the contactor generates information as to the volume V of conden-sate evacuated, which is sent to the control device 9.
VVhen the nature of this condensate has been detected, the appro-priate valve 19, 20 may be opened to evacuate either fuel to the storage tank 2 by the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 or water to the spent water mains by the con-densed water evacuation line 6.
According to figure 1, the detection means 7 is mounted in the sepa-rator 14 and comprises a gauge transmitting a warning signal when a high level of condensate is detected in the separator 14.
This gauge comprises a float 17 having a buoyancy adapted to float in fuel and water.
The water contained in the separator 14 may corne from the air aspi-rated by the vent pipe 3, but also from fuel vapor aspirated by the fuel vapor recovery system 10 which also aspirates a bit of air.
The float 17 is equipped with a magnet, activating a magnetic contac-tor 18 positioned at a high level.
VVhen the float 17 reaches this high level, the contactor 18 detects the presence of the float 17 and transmits a warning signal to the control device 9.
According to figure 2, the facility comprises a first detection means 7 connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 in order to detect the presence of condensed fuel and a second detection means 8 connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6 to detect the presence of condensed water.
The first detection means 7 generates a warning signal of excess pressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel, while the second detection means 8 generates a warning signal of underpressure in response to the detection of condensed water.
The detection means 7, 8 are composed of gauges lodged in a re-ceptacle equipped with a valve connected to an outlet of this receptacle.
In a manner not represented, each gauge comprises a float which can move between a high level and a low level and cooperating with a contactor po-sitioned at the high level.
VVhen the float reaches the high level, it activates the contactor and the valve opens the outlet of the receptacle corresponding to the first detection means 7 or to the second detection means 8.
The volume V between the low level and the high level being known, each activation of the contactor generates information as to the volume V of conden-sate evacuated, which is sent to the control device 9.
12 According to figure 3, the condensation/separation device 4 compris-es a fuel vapor condenser 21 to condense the fuel vapor arriving in the storage tank 2 and a dehumidifier 22 to condense the water coming from the outside air.
The condenser 21 and the dehumidifier 22 are connected in series with the vent pipe 3, and the condenser 21 is situated upstream from the dehumidifier 22 in the direction of circulation of the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank 2.
The condenser 21 comprises an outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 while the dehumidifier 22 comprises an outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
A first detection means 7 is mounted on the condensed fuel evacua-tion line 5 and a second detection means 8 is connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
These detection means 7, 8 are identical to those described above with respect to figure 2.
The invention thus provides a fuel storage and dispensing facility able to bath recover the gaseous hydrocarbons coming from the tank and to prevent the contamination of the tank with water coming from the outside air, while enabling a detecting of malfunctions of the fuel vapor recovery system.
In particular, it enables a detecting of lasses in the pipelines of the vapor recovery system between the fuel dispenser and the tank.
The invention also enables a quantification of the abnormal fuel loss-es, such as those due to fraud or a leakage of fuel.
The condenser 21 and the dehumidifier 22 are connected in series with the vent pipe 3, and the condenser 21 is situated upstream from the dehumidifier 22 in the direction of circulation of the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank 2.
The condenser 21 comprises an outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line 5 while the dehumidifier 22 comprises an outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
A first detection means 7 is mounted on the condensed fuel evacua-tion line 5 and a second detection means 8 is connected to the condensed water evacuation line 6.
These detection means 7, 8 are identical to those described above with respect to figure 2.
The invention thus provides a fuel storage and dispensing facility able to bath recover the gaseous hydrocarbons coming from the tank and to prevent the contamination of the tank with water coming from the outside air, while enabling a detecting of malfunctions of the fuel vapor recovery system.
In particular, it enables a detecting of lasses in the pipelines of the vapor recovery system between the fuel dispenser and the tank.
The invention also enables a quantification of the abnormal fuel loss-es, such as those due to fraud or a leakage of fuel.
Claims (9)
1) A facility for storing and dispensing fuel, comprising:
- a fuel storage tank (2) equipped with a vent pipe (3) and connected to at least one fuel dispenser (1) on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system (26) in a vehicle tank and, on the other hand, by a vapor recovery system (10) which aspirates the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in this tank, and - a condensation/separation device (4) connected to the vent pipe (3) and allowing fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) to be condensed in order to generate condensed fuel and water coming from the outside air to be condensed in order to generate condensed water, said condensation/
separation device (4) being connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line (5) connected to the storage tank (2) and to a condensed water evacuation line (6) to the outside, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means (7, 8) cooperating with the condensation/separation device (4) for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal when the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water is detected in the device, and - a control device (9) receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system (10) to a control center (24).
- a fuel storage tank (2) equipped with a vent pipe (3) and connected to at least one fuel dispenser (1) on the one hand by a fuel dispensing system (26) in a vehicle tank and, on the other hand, by a vapor recovery system (10) which aspirates the fuel vapor emitted during a dispensing of fuel in this tank, and - a condensation/separation device (4) connected to the vent pipe (3) and allowing fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) to be condensed in order to generate condensed fuel and water coming from the outside air to be condensed in order to generate condensed water, said condensation/
separation device (4) being connected to a condensed fuel evacuation line (5) connected to the storage tank (2) and to a condensed water evacuation line (6) to the outside, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one detection means (7, 8) cooperating with the condensation/separation device (4) for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal when the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water is detected in the device, and - a control device (9) receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system (10) to a control center (24).
2) The facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the condensation/
separation device (4) comprises on the one hand a condenser (13) which condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) and the water coming from the outside air and on the other hand a separator (14) connected to said condenser and comprising two outlets, namely, a first outlet (15) connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and a second outlet (16) connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6).
separation device (4) comprises on the one hand a condenser (13) which condenses at the same time the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) and the water coming from the outside air and on the other hand a separator (14) connected to said condenser and comprising two outlets, namely, a first outlet (15) connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and a second outlet (16) connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6).
3) The facility according to claim 2, characterized in that the two outlets (15, 16) of the separator (14) are each equipped with an automatically controlled valve cooperating with a condensate detector making it possible to detect the nature of the condensate contained in this separator (14), namely, a first valve (19) able to open or close the first outlet (15) connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and a second valve (20) able to open or close the second outlet (16) connected lo to the condensed water evacuation line (6), according to the nature of the condensate detected.
4) The facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the condensation/
separation device (4) comprises on the one hand a fuel vapor condenser (21) able to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) and having an outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5), and on the other hand a dehumidifier (22) able to condense the water coming from the outside air and having an outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6).
separation device (4) comprises on the one hand a fuel vapor condenser (21) able to condense the fuel vapor coming from the storage tank (2) and having an outlet connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5), and on the other hand a dehumidifier (22) able to condense the water coming from the outside air and having an outlet connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6).
5) The facility according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a single detection means (7) composed of a volume meter, such as a flow meter installed between the condenser (13) and the separator (14) and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the measurement of a volume of condensed fuel or condensed water.
6) The facility according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one detection means (7) installed in the separator (14) and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to the detection of a predefined volume of condensate in this separator.
7) The facility according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two detection means, namely, a first detection means (7) connected to the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and generating and transmitting a warning signal for excess pressure in response to the detection of condensed fuel in the condensed fuel evacuation line (5) and a second detection means (8) connected to the condensed water evacuation line (6) and generating and transmitting a warning signal for underpressure in response to the detection of condensed water in the condensed water evacuation line (6).
lo 8) The facility according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the detection means each comprises a gauge having a float movable between a low level and a high level and a contactor which is activated when the high level is reached, triggering the warning signal.
9) The facility according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of the gauges is equipped with a valve at its outlet, opening when the float is at the high level so as to evacuate a known volume of condensate.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR1654157A FR3051182B1 (fr) | 2016-05-10 | 2016-05-10 | Installation de stockage et de distribution de carburant |
| FR1654157 | 2016-05-10 | ||
| PCT/EP2017/061154 WO2017194588A1 (fr) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-10 | Installation de stockage et de distribution de carburant |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA3024265A1 CA3024265A1 (fr) | 2017-11-16 |
| CA3024265C true CA3024265C (fr) | 2021-06-08 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA3024265A Active CA3024265C (fr) | 2016-05-10 | 2017-05-10 | Facility for storing and dispensing fuel |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US10604402B2 (fr) |
| EP (1) | EP3455159B1 (fr) |
| CN (1) | CN109476474B (fr) |
| BR (1) | BR112018073169B1 (fr) |
| CA (1) | CA3024265C (fr) |
| FR (1) | FR3051182B1 (fr) |
| MX (1) | MX2018013822A (fr) |
| WO (1) | WO2017194588A1 (fr) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3517815A1 (fr) | 2018-01-24 | 2019-07-31 | HILTI Aktiengesellschaft | Ensemble comprenant une pluralité de profilés de protection contre le feu et procédé de fabrication d'un profilé de protection contre le feu |
| US20200102205A1 (en) * | 2018-10-02 | 2020-04-02 | Veeder-Root Company | Fuel storage and supply arrangement having fuel conditioning and filtration system |
| US10865098B2 (en) | 2018-10-02 | 2020-12-15 | Veeder-Root Company | Fuel storage and supply arrangement having fuel conditioning and filtration system |
| CN111442819A (zh) * | 2020-04-09 | 2020-07-24 | 沈阳诚桥真空设备有限公司 | 煤油汽相干燥设备的出水测量装置及煤油汽相干燥设备 |
| US11634316B2 (en) | 2020-09-30 | 2023-04-25 | Veeder-Root Company | Fuel storage and supply arrangement having fuel conditioning assembly |
| US12298167B2 (en) | 2020-11-01 | 2025-05-13 | Franklin Fueling Systems, Llc | Low level water sensor and method of use |
| US11673790B2 (en) * | 2021-06-15 | 2023-06-13 | Shell Retail And Convenience Operations Llc | Methods and systems for dispensing fuel |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3903708A (en) * | 1973-05-07 | 1975-09-09 | Gen Am Transport | Volatile vapor recovery system and method utilizing joule thompson expansion |
| FR2908760B1 (fr) * | 2006-11-22 | 2012-06-08 | Tokheim Holding Bv | Installation de distribution de biocarburant a base d'alcools en particulier d'ethanol |
| FR2909078B1 (fr) * | 2006-11-24 | 2009-01-09 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Installation de stockage de carburants et procede de remplissage et/ou de vidage des cuves de cette installation |
| FR2911863B1 (fr) * | 2007-01-30 | 2009-03-20 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Installation et procede de stockage de carburant a base de bioethanol. |
| CN201010519Y (zh) * | 2007-03-01 | 2008-01-23 | 郑州永邦电气有限公司 | 用于加油站或油库油气回收处理的膜式冷凝油气液化装置 |
| GB0714399D0 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2007-09-05 | Vapasava Vr Ltd | System and method of petrol vapour recovery |
| GB2471449A (en) * | 2009-06-22 | 2011-01-05 | Vr Technologies Ltd | A vapour recovery unit having means to melt ice |
| FR2947538B1 (fr) * | 2009-07-03 | 2011-06-17 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Installation et procede de stockage de carburant |
| JP5648668B2 (ja) * | 2012-10-11 | 2015-01-07 | 株式会社タツノ | ベーパ回収装置 |
| FR2999553B1 (fr) * | 2012-12-18 | 2015-11-13 | IFP Energies Nouvelles | Installation de stockage et de distribution de carburants, notamment pour vehicules automobiles |
| WO2016013128A1 (fr) * | 2014-07-23 | 2016-01-28 | 株式会社タツノ | Dispositif de récupération de vapeur |
-
2016
- 2016-05-10 FR FR1654157A patent/FR3051182B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2017
- 2017-05-10 CA CA3024265A patent/CA3024265C/fr active Active
- 2017-05-10 MX MX2018013822A patent/MX2018013822A/es unknown
- 2017-05-10 CN CN201780039683.3A patent/CN109476474B/zh active Active
- 2017-05-10 BR BR112018073169-2A patent/BR112018073169B1/pt active IP Right Grant
- 2017-05-10 WO PCT/EP2017/061154 patent/WO2017194588A1/fr not_active Ceased
- 2017-05-10 EP EP17721421.0A patent/EP3455159B1/fr active Active
- 2017-05-10 US US16/300,246 patent/US10604402B2/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| MX2018013822A (es) | 2019-09-09 |
| FR3051182B1 (fr) | 2018-05-18 |
| CN109476474B (zh) | 2020-06-05 |
| CN109476474A (zh) | 2019-03-15 |
| EP3455159B1 (fr) | 2020-09-30 |
| BR112018073169A2 (pt) | 2019-02-19 |
| WO2017194588A1 (fr) | 2017-11-16 |
| US10604402B2 (en) | 2020-03-31 |
| FR3051182A1 (fr) | 2017-11-17 |
| US20190144258A1 (en) | 2019-05-16 |
| EP3455159A1 (fr) | 2019-03-20 |
| BR112018073169B1 (pt) | 2023-01-17 |
| CA3024265A1 (fr) | 2017-11-16 |
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