Current vapor recovery methods have limitations.

Stage 1

This system captures vapor from gas transport trucks while unloading into the station's underground tank.
If no trucks are present, excess vapor escapes into the air, posing health and safety risks to nearby residents.

Stage 2

This system captures vapor during car refueling and sends it back to the underground tank.
Returning vapor to the tank can raise pressure levels inside, which is risky.

Limitations of Current Vapor Recovery Systems

While many systems are in place, we now need a new Stage 3 recovery solution.

• Gas stations over a certain size must install vapor recovery systems under the Air Quality Preservation Act.
• Stage I vapor recovery systems were mandated in 2004 for storage, followed by Stage II for pumps in 2008.
• Stage II systems are being installed in over 5,500 major and large cities, with additional installations at 2,000 stations near power plants since 2021.
• About 70% of gas stations are required to install these systems, but around 23% still haven’t, meaning nearly half are effectively uninstalled.
• Vapor collected during refueling should be stored and incinerated, but due to insufficient facilities and costs, much is released into the air.
• While these systems are meant to prevent explosions, they ultimately contribute to air pollution and harm local residents' health.
• There’s still a risk of explosion if vapor pressure builds up in storage tanks during hot weather.