Vapor Recovery Systems News

Using nanotechnology to improve safety and efficiency.For as long as oil and petrochemicals have been in use by transportation, safely managing their highly flammable, toxic, and environmentally damaging vapors has been an ever present challenge. Even with increasing emphasis on safety procedures and better training, these invisible and dangerous vapors continue to result in the loss of life and property. But now, new nanotechnologies can provide safer and faster solutions that were not thought possible with conventional methods.

The response effort to remove a hazardous cargo from the 104-year-old sunken tank barge Argo in Lake Erie officially ended Monday afternoon with the demobilization of all remaining equipment. Contracted by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a Unified Command effort, salvors T&T Salvage recovered the highly toxic cargo from the 1911-built Argo, which sank in 1937 laden with a cargo of benzol that contained a high percentage of the carcinogen benzene. A total of 33,475 gallons of cargo and water mixture were removed from the vessel.

American Sensor Technologies, Inc. (AST) has achieved ATEX certification of its Explosion Proof Pressure Transmitters for Class I Zone 0 Exd hazardous locations. The added approvals enhance the ability for equipment manufacturers to specify AST pressure transducers as the sensors can now operate in both North America and Europe. AST Explosion Proof Pressure Transducers are commonly used in upstream and offshore applications where safety, reliability and performance are crucial. Additionally, the AST4300 Non-Incendive Rugged Pressure Transmitter Series is qualified as ATEX Class I Zone 0 Exd and the AST43LP Low Presssure Non-Incendive Pressure Sensor Series holds a ATEX Class I Zone 2 Ex nA rating. Each are also certified by Sira for Class I Zone 2 Ex nA IIC T4 Gc.

The ports of and was honored Foss Maritime Company, calling its innovative approach to reducing air pollution in southern an outstanding example of corporate leadership. Among Foss’ initiatives: Developing the world’s first hybrid tug, the Green Dolphin, a low-emission vessel that company officials expect to deploy in San Pedro Bay by the fall of 2008. Earlier this year, the federal Environmental Protection Agency gave Foss and the Green Dolphin its Clean Air Technology Award, the first time a marine operating company has ever received the honor. Susan Hayman, vice president for environmental and corporate development, accepted the award for corporate level leadership at the First Annual San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan – Clean Air Excellence Awards.

Bollinger Gretna, L.L.C., Harvey, La., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. company, and K-Sea Transportation Corp. of New York have signed a contract for the construction of four double hull, ocean service, OPA ‘90 oil barges. The barges will have capacities of 80,000 to 100,000 barrels. Terms were not disclosed. The barges will be built primarily for oil service on the Northeast U. S. coast. They will be coupled with existing K-Sea tugs using a connection system designed and delivered by Acomarin Engineering. The system will provide increased operating efficiency and will enhance the safety and reliability of the units. The new barges will feature double block cargo segregation, segregated ballast, cargo monitoring and vapor recovery systems as well as advanced electrical and hydraulic systems.

Bollinger Gretna, L.L.C., Harvey, La., and K-Sea Transportation Corp. of New York have signed a contract for the construction of four double hull, ocean service, OPA '90 oil barges. The barges will have capacities of 80,000 to 100,000 barrels - terms were not disclosed. The barges will be built primarily for oil service on the Northeast U. S. coast. They will be coupled with existing K-Sea tugs using a connection system designed and delivered by Acomarin Engineering. The system will provide increased operating efficiency and will enhance the safety and reliability of the units. The new barges will feature double block cargo segregation, segregated ballast, cargo monitoring and vapor recovery systems as well as advanced electrical and hydraulic systems.

All of the growth markets in the commercial marine marketplace have something to do with petroleum. Supply and crew/supply boats directly support drilling activity and Articulated Tug Barges (ATB) distributes crude, refined or an oil byproduct to refiners or distributors. The ATB represents a big advance in transporting these oil products over a pushboat pushing a tow of petroleum barges. Typically an ATB is one large barge with capacity from 80,000 to 160,000 barrels being pushed by a tug that fits into a notch in the barge. An advanced coupling system permits easy coupling and uncoupling of the two units. With typical barge and pushboat units, the coupling system uses winches and wire ropes to lash the barges together and also secure the barge tow to the pushboat.

Bouchard Coastwise Management Co., Hicksville, N.Y., has added to its growing fleet of double-hull articulated ocean-going tug/barge units (ATB) with the delivery from Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., of the 130-ft. tug Jane A. Bouchard and the 430-ft., 110,000 barrel (BBL) class double-hull oil Barge B. No. 225 that meets the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90). oil or other cargo should the hull be pierced. Barge B. No. 225 is the 10th OPA '90 barge in the Bouchard fleet. The Jane A. Bouchard and Barge B. No. 225 is the first of a two ATB contract between Bouchard and Bollinger. The second ATB, planned for delivery in May 2004, will be the sister ship, MORTON S. BOUCHARD IV and a larger, 487-ft. barge B. No. petroleum products.