Vapour Recovery for Petrol Filling Stations Why do we need to control VOC emissions from petrol filling stations? How does the Government control the VOCs from petrol filling stations? What is a vapour recovery system? How do I know which stations have refueling vapour recovery system? Can the shape of the nozzle tell that it recovers petrol vapour? As a competent examiner for testing the vapour recovery system, where can I get more information? Why do we need to control VOC emissions from petrol filling stations? Petrol contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate in storage tanks. During unloading of petrol to an underground storage tank or refueling of a vehicle, petrol vapour in the tank will be displaced by the incoming petrol.  Unless controlled, the petrol vapour will dissipate into the atmosphere. Major harmful effects of VOCs from petrol filling stations would include: (a) Enhancing the formation of ozone and fine particulates in the atmosphere, thus causing smog, (b) Presenting a potential health risk to the public as it contains benzene, a carcinogen, and (c) A nuisance to people in the vicinity.   How does the Government control the VOCs from petrol filling stations? In 1999, the Government introduced the Air Pollution Control (Petrol Filling Stations)(Vapour Recovery) Regulation to require petrol filling stations to install a system to recover VOC emissions during the unloading of petrol from petrol tankers into underground storage tanks (Phase I). To further control VOC emissions, the Regulation was amended in 2004, effective on 31 March 2005, to require stations to install a system to recover VOCs emitted during vehicle refueling (Phase II). Now, all the stations have already installed the Phase I and Phase II vapour recovery systems.   What is a vapour recovery system? A vapour recovery system helps to collect petrol vapour released during unloading and refueling back to the underground storage tank. [Vapour Recovery at Petrol Filing Station] [Click to slide show]   How do I know which stations have refueling vapour recovery system? If a station has installed this vapour recovery system which passes the required tests, it will have the below certificate posted at the station. All the stations have already installed the vapour recovery systems. (Click to enlarge)   Can the shape of the nozzle tell that it recovers petrol vapour? Yes. The shape of the vapour recovery nozzle is different from those without.  It has a vapour guard and holes at the nozzle spout to recover petrol vapour. [PFS Nozzle]   As a competent examiner for testing the vapour recovery system, where can I get more information? (a) You may download the relevant test methods specified in the Air Pollution Control (Petrol Filling Stations)(Vapour Recovery) Regulation at this link: TP201.3 & TP201.5 by the Air Resources Board of the California Environmental Protection Agency (b) Regarding the Certificate for petrol filling station with Phase II vapour recovery system, please take note that the form has been amended with effect from 1 December 2006 to consist of a poster-size certificate and an annex.  The annex can be downloaded at this link while the poster-size certificate which is printed UV- and weather-resistant can be collected free of charge from the following EPD office by depositing a letter stating the number of certificates required and their whereabouts to be displayed: Environmental Protection Department Regional Office (West) 8/F., Tsuen Wan Government Office 38 Sai Lau Kok Road Tsuen Wan New Territories Tel No. 2417 6116  When issuing a Certificate, you should assign to it a unique number according to the Guidance Notes on Assigning Certificate Number for Petrol Filling Station with Phase II Vapour Recovery System  and use the owner and petrol filling station codes at this link. Below is a sample of the poster-size certificate for petrol filling station with Phase II vapour recovery system:   (Click to enlarge)

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