Oil / Vapor Recovery Gas Compressors and Gas Compressor Systems
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Oil/Vapor Recovery Gas Compressors and Gas Compressor Systems are designed to recover oil or vapor from a well or field site. These systems are crucial in capturing by-product vapors that would otherwise be flared or vented, thus reducing emissions and potentially converting these vapors into usable products.
Working Principle
These systems operate by compressing gases, which can then be injected back into the wellhead to aerate or displace produced fluids. This process reduces the pressure at the bottom of the well bore, thereby increasing or sustaining the well's flow rate. Vapor recovery systems often utilize a combination of techniques, such as jet ejector systems, which use a venturi jet ejector to compress target gases. This method involves using a high-pressure motive gas to entrain target compounds out of low-pressure streams, allowing the combined discharge gas to exit at an intermediate pressure for further handling or reentry into the process stream.
Applications
Oil/Vapor Recovery Gas Compressors are used extensively in the oil and gas industry to recover natural gas vapors. These systems are also employed at filling stations as safety and anti-pollution devices to reduce noxious and potentially explosive fumes. Additionally, they are used with gasoline fuel pumps, fuel storage tanks, industrial equipment, chemical storage tanks, chemical mixers, reactors, and automobiles.
Advantages over other Gas Compressors and Gas Compressor Systems
Oil-free screw compressors, such as those offered by Aerzen, are particularly advantageous for flare gas recovery applications. They provide a reliable solution with lower capital costs compared to reciprocating compressor systems. Moreover, these systems can often pay for themselves within a year due to the commercial value of the recovered gas.
Limitations
Sliding vane compressors, commonly used in these systems, have significant drawbacks. They require frequent repairs even for low-pressure, clean gas applications due to the wear and tear on the vanes that slide in and out of the rotor. This can lead to increased maintenance costs and potential downtime.
Considerations
When selecting a vapor recovery system, it is crucial to consider the type of compounds being captured and the system's ability to meet emission limits. Operating and maintenance costs are important factors, especially for systems utilizing high-pressure compressors or low-temperature condensers. Systems with no moving parts are generally preferred due to their lower maintenance requirements and reduced likelihood of failure. Additionally, the initial costs, operating expenses, durability, accuracy, and replacement and maintenance costs should be carefully evaluated to ensure the system's long-term viability and cost-effectiveness.
from Johnson Controls / FRICK / YORK PROCESS SYSTEMS
At Johnson Controls, we engineer reliable gas compressors for custom packagers and system integrators to use in their critical processing applications. The Frick ® SGC, SGCH & SGCB bare screw compressors are designed to compress a variety of gases for quality solutions in refrigeration,... [See More]
- Applications: Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Refrigeration / Gas Drying; Water Chilling, Wellhead Compression, Gas Gathering
- Mass Flow Capacity: 71 to 5067
- Compressor Technology: Bare Screw
from Howden
Burton Corblin Periflow ® Range of Peripheral Compressors. The Periflow ® compressor has its own performance characteristics situated between those of volumetric displacement blowers and centrifugal compressors. Periflow ® compressors provide a cost-effective option when moderate... [See More]
- Applications: Gas Boosting; Gas Generation / PSA; Oil Refining / Chemical Processing; Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Process Gas Feeding / Injection
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 2901
- Compressor Technology: Centrifugal
- Horse Power: 1340
from GENERON
GENERON offers 2hp to 10,000hp (1.5kw - 7,457kw). Industry proven engineered OIL-LUBE Recip Compression Packages, built to any technical specification using engine or electric motor drives. Our packages move large volumes of air or gas, from ambient or elevated suction pressures, to discharge... [See More]
- Applications: Gas Boosting; Gas Transmission / Delivery; Fuel Gas / Power Generation; Gas Generation / PSA; Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Instrument Air, Rig Tensioning, Wellhead Compression
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 10000
- Compressor Technology: Reciprocating Piston
- Mass Flow Capacity: 24290
from Gardner Denver, Inc.
Compressors. Gardner Denver is a global leader in the design, manufacture, installation and service of innovative compressor technologies for a diverse range of industries. From manufacturing to construction, mining to pharmaceuticals, our compressors work hard to increase efficiency, reduce energy... [See More]
- Applications: Gas Transmission / Delivery; Oil Refining / Chemical Processing; Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Process Gas Feeding / Injection; Vessel / Cylinder Filling
- Lubrication Style: Oil-free (optional feature)
- Compressor Technology: Centrifugal; Diaphragm; RotaryLobe; Rotary Screw
- Gases Handled: Air; Hydrocarbon; Natural Gas / Methane
from Howden
Burton Corblin ® D-Series of Diaphragm Compressors. Leak tight, high pressure process compressor packages for situations where complete isolation of gas is vital, including oil and gas processes, production sites and laboratories handling high purity, rare, toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive... [See More]
- Applications: Fuel Gas / Power Generation; Oil Refining / Chemical Processing; Oil / Vapor Recovery
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: ? to 43511
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Horse Power: 13.4 to 1742
from GENERON
GENERON offers 2hp to 5,000hp (0.38kw - 3730kw) Industry proven engineered rotary screw compression packages built to any technical specification either engine or electric drive, for moving large volumes at lower suction with discharge pressures up to 600 psig (41 barg). At GENERON our engineering,... [See More]
- Applications: Gas Generation / PSA; Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Landfill, Instrument Air, Biogas, Well Compression
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 600
- Compressor Technology: Rotary Screw
- Mass Flow Capacity: 5000