Howell Hydrocarbons & Chemicals, Inc.

Year Submitted: 2003

Process: Chemical Storage and Delivery

Industry: Petroleum Refining

Wastes Reduced: VOC Emissions

Substance: Gasoline

Equipment: Cryogenic Vapor Recovery

Location: Channelview TX

No. of employees: 50

Contact: George Freda

Phone: (713) 457-2768

Description:

Howell Hydrocarbons & Chemicals, Inc. produces specialty fuels and toll chemicals. Located on the Houston ship channel, it ships some products by barge. During the barge loading process product was lost as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) evaporated. This resulted in fugitive emissions and were a concern due to worker exposure and the fact that Houston is a non-attainment area for ozone.

P2 Application:

A cryogentic vapor recovery system was designed and installed to condense the vapors generated in the barge loading process. Not only are the VOC emissions reduced, but Howell Hydrocarbons & Chemicals, Inc. is able to recover the condensed vaporsrather than destroy the VOCs with a flare.

Environmental Benefits:

As a result of the cryogenic vapor recovery system, Howell no longer emits from 100-1,000 lbs of VOCs to the atmosphere for each barge loaded.

Details of Reductions

Additional Information :

The recovery system cost less than the flare system that would have been needed to control emissions and recoversfrom 100-1,000 lbs of VOCs for every barge loaded. The recovered product value is worth from $300-$2,000 per barge. The capital cost of the cryogenic system was $250,000, whereas the flare would have cost over $1million.

Source: TCEQ