Regan Brown
The fuel pump in your car may need to be refuelled using a vapor recovery system to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals and vapours released into the atmosphere during the refuelling process. Gasoline contains harmful chemicals that can be released during vehicle refuelling, and an Onboard Refuelling Vapour Recovery (ORVR) system can help to reduce these emissions. This system captures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and redirects them back into the fuel storage tank, preventing them from polluting the air and contributing to smog and other forms of air pollution. The use of ORVR systems is regulated by organisations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, and similar regulatory bodies in other countries, to ensure compliance with environmental standards and improve air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reduce air pollution caused by gasoline vapors released during refueling |
| Mechanism | Captures and redirects vapors back into the storage tank to improve air quality |
| Regulatory Bodies | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, California Air Resources Board (CARB), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), California Weights and Measures Department, State Fire Marshal, OSHA |
| Testing Requirements | 90-day durability test, efficiency testing, annual station tightness test, air-to-liquid ratio test |
| Types of Systems | Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR), Stage II Vapor Recovery |
| Impact on Stage II Systems | ORVR systems have phased out the need for Stage II vapor recovery |
| Vehicle Factors | Vehicle make/model, age, fuel tank filler pipe, mechanical seal type |
| Emission Factors | Ambient temperature, fuel temperature, filling flow, filling pipe diameter |
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What You'll Learn
Onboard Refuelling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) systems
ORVR systems are designed to control vapours produced during refuelling by routing them to a canister. As fuel is channelled into the fuel tank, the ORVR system directs the fuel vapour to be stored in the EVAP canister. This vapour is later routed to the engine to be burned during normal combustion. The EVAP and ORVR systems have been very successful in the containment of hydrocarbon emissions, reducing them by approximately 95%.
ORVR systems have design characteristics that are not compatible with Stage II vacuum-assisted systems. When these two systems work in conjunction, the overall efficiency declines significantly, compared to each system functioning on its own. An ORVR carbon-filled canister (installed on modern vehicles) is designed to capture fuel vapours displaced while refuelling, and then to inject them into the intake manifold later on, so that they are burned along with the regular fuel, during normal engine operation. However, a Stage II vapor recovery system, installed on refuelling gas station pumps, uses a vacuum to prevent fuel vapours from being released into the atmosphere.
The ORVR system is significantly less expensive than the Stage II system, with greater lifespan and durability, translating to much lower maintenance costs. The Stage II system cannot collect diurnal emissions, while the ORVR system can. Over time, as ORVR systems became more widespread throughout the United States, Stage II systems became obsolete.
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ORVR vs. Stage II vapor recovery systems
Onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems and Stage II vapor recovery systems are both designed to control vehicle fuel vapour emissions during the refueling process. However, there are several differences between the two systems, and ORVR systems have since rendered Stage II systems obsolete.
Stage II vapor recovery systems were first mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Clean Air Act. These systems are installed on refueling gas station pumps and use a vacuum to prevent fuel vapors from being released into the atmosphere during the refueling of a motor vehicle. The vapors are instead recycled back into the fuel storage tanks.
ORVR systems, on the other hand, are installed directly on automobiles. They capture fuel vapors from the gasoline tank before they reach the nozzle of a gas pump, and these vapors are then combusted in the engine when the automobile is in operation. ORVR systems also have the added benefit of being able to retain emissions by delivering them to the vehicle's activated carbon-filled canister.
The two systems are not compatible and their overall efficiency declines when they work in conjunction. As ORVR systems became more widespread, Stage II systems became obsolete. The EPA has since waived the requirement for states to implement Stage II systems, allowing equipment to be removed or decommissioned.
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EPA regulations and vapor recovery
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates passenger vehicles and trucks under "light-duty" vehicle programs to reduce the amount of harmful emissions. These regulations cover various aspects, including exhaust and evaporative emissions, control of hazardous air pollutants, and onboard refueling vapor recovery.
The EPA has been working with New England states to phase out Stage II vapor recovery programs at gasoline stations. This involves capturing harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars, which modern vehicles are now equipped to do themselves with onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems. ORVR systems are carbon canisters installed directly on automobiles to capture fuel vapors evacuated from the gasoline tank before they reach the nozzle of a gas pump. The captured fuel vapors are then combusted in the engine when the automobile is in operation.
Since the early 2000s, new passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and most heavy-duty gasoline-powered vehicles have been equipped with ORVR systems, rendering Stage II vapor recovery systems obsolete. However, some states, like Rhode Island, have allowed gasoline stations to keep their Stage II vapor recovery systems as long as they are compatible with motor vehicle ORVR systems.
The EPA has also established progressively stringent emission standards for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter for on-road vehicles and nonroad engines and equipment. These standards extend to the fuels used by vehicles, with sulfur standards set for gasoline and diesel fuel. Additionally, the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires every engine and motor vehicle within the chain of commerce in the United States to meet emission standards and conformity requirements. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the CAA and EPA regulations to obtain a Certificate of Conformity, which authorizes production and sales within the United States.
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Vapor recovery nozzle
The vapor recovery nozzle is a key component of the vapor recovery system, which aims to reduce harmful gasoline vapour emissions during vehicle refueling. The nozzle is designed to prevent vapours from escaping into the atmosphere, improving air quality and reducing the environmental impact of refueling.
There are two types of vehicle fuel vapour emission control systems: the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system and the older, less efficient "Stage II" vapor recovery system. The ORVR system has been mandated for all passenger cars and light trucks up to 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with a phased implementation from 1998 to 2006.
The vapor recovery nozzle plays a crucial role in the ORVR system. During refueling, the nozzle passes through a mechanical seal, which is typically made of annular elastomeric material. This mechanical seal prevents vapours from escaping alongside the nozzle, ensuring that they are contained within the system. Additionally, the nozzle itself may be equipped with a vapor recovery mechanism, which collects and redirects the vapours back into the fuel system.
The design of the vapor recovery nozzle can vary depending on the vehicle and the refueling system. For example, larger vehicles tend to use a mechanical seal, while smaller vehicles may use a liquid seal created by the design of the filler pipe. The liquid seal prevents vapour escape by filling the entire pipe during refueling, leaving no space for vapours to escape.
The effectiveness of vapor recovery nozzles and systems has been the subject of various studies. Researchers have used infrared cameras and other equipment to inspect gasoline pumps, nozzles, and vehicle fuel tank filler pipes for damage, valve functioning, and the presence of vapor recovery systems. These studies help determine the feasibility of using infrared technology for vapor emission assessments and provide insights into the magnitude of refueling-related emissions.
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Testing requirements for vapor recovery systems
The EPA is not the only organisation with testing requirements for vapor recovery systems. The California Air Resources Board (CARB), for example, has been working on implementing ORVR systems since at least 1998. At that time, CARB was proposing a new certification test procedure, TP-201.2D, which would measure the amount of air returned by assisted systems. Systems returning more than 50 percent air relative to the dispensed liquid would fail unless they incorporated a vent processor.
Additionally, current testing requirements for vapor recovery systems in the United States call for a 90-day durability test of all equipment. This includes demonstrating the tightness of the station's vapor system before and after efficiency testing. To achieve certification, 100 cars must be refuelled and combined efficiency of 95 percent must be achieved. Additional testing is required periodically for operating stations, including an annual station tightness test and an operational test known as an air-to-liquid ratio or A/L test.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if your car was manufactured after 2006, it is likely that it is equipped with an evaporative emissions control system, which includes a refill vapor recovery function. This system helps to reduce the release of harmful vapors from the fuel tank and should be maintained to ensure optimal performance and to comply with emissions regulations.
The system captures and stores evaporative emissions from the fuel tank in a charcoal canister. When the engine is running, these vapors are drawn into the engine intake and burned along with the fuel, reducing tailpipe emissions. The system also includes a purge valve and associated hoses/lines that require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure proper function.
If you notice an increased frequency in the need to refuel, or a strong gasoline smell when you refuel, it could indicate a problem with the evaporative emissions system, including the refill vapor recovery component. Other signs may include poor engine performance, difficulty starting the engine, or the illumination of the "Check Engine" light.
It is recommended to have the system inspected and serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines, which can vary depending on the vehicle. Typically, inspection and maintenance are required every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or during regular tune-up services. Regular maintenance can help ensure the system functions properly and reduce the risk of costly repairs over time.
