Vapor Recovery on Tankers from Design to Operation

Vapor control legislation has presented the vessel operator with a multitude of factors that must be given consideration during the retrofitting of a vessel vapor control system. This paper discusses notable aspects concerning the integration of various facets of vapor control as they relate to vessel installations from conceptual design through operation. While complete vessel collection and processing systems are permitted by the Regulations, discussions in this paper are limited to vessel collection systems because, for the most part, industry has adopted the concept of limiting vessels to the collection of vapors only, with subsequent transfer to shoreside facilities for processing. Discussions are based on experience gained during development of vapor collection systems for two different classes of inerted, multi-grade cargo product tankers. Accordingly, some topics are not applicable or can be simplified when considering installations on board tank vessels carrying single cargoes or on non-inerted tank vessels.