The Separation of Hydrocarbon Vapors with Membranes

Many industrial processes which handle volatile hydrocarbons produce organic vapors. These vapors which are generated during storage, trans- portation and the handling of hydrocarbons cause environmental problems. The contaminants dispersed in the air are contributing factors to the development of photochemical smog. In addition they represent valuable resources which should be recovered, GKSS has developed a membrane and a membrane process for the recovery of off gases from gasoline storage and handling [1, 2]. A 300 m3/h vapor recovery unit for the treatment of off gases from a gasoline tank farm started operation in October 1989.