section background img

Compression-Based Vapor Recovery

Vapor Recovery Units (VRUs) are one of the most efficient ways of capturing the vapors generated from standard oil and gas production or biogas processes, generating revenue from associated offgas as a result. Since 1952, our HY-BON division has designed, manufactured and serviced compression-based VRUs for the Oil & Gas and Biogas (Wastewater Treatment, Landfills, and Breweries) industries.

Models

  • Electric (standard) or gas driven screw units from 15 HP to 350HP+
  • Discharge gas cooling available
  • Screw, vane, reciprocating compression available
  • Companion Vapor Recovery Towers available

Markets & Applications

Upstream and Midstream applications:

  • Low pressure vapors from Upstream Atmospheric Storage Tanks
  • Tankless facility vessels
  • Wellhead and Casinghead gas pressure reduction
  • BTEX
  • Midstream Reciprocating Compressor Rod Packing Vent Emissions
  • Industrial, Biogas, Downstream Applications

  • Sytelink360® Real-Time Monitoring

    Our real-time monitoring system, Sytelink360®, helps optimize equipment performance and predict failures while providing data-logging capability on the cloud. Proven to increase VRU uptime to >95%.

  • Compressor and Unit Refurbishment

    Our in house compressor repair shop can quickly and cost effectively provide compressor repairs whether it be for preventative maintenance or failures. Our technicians are OEM trained on multiple compressor types and brands. Our Unit refurbishment services can bring old equipment back to current standards to allow customers the most cost-effective use of legacy inventory.

  • Rental Units Available

    When purchasing Vapor Recovery Compression Equipment doesn’t fit into your budget and/or capital is better utilized elsewhere, Cimarron offers rental compression to fit a broad range of low pressure applications. Specifically, our equipment is designed to move low pressure, high BTU gas from Oil and Gas facilities to field gathering systems. Our fleet consists of primarily electric motor driven rotary screw packages, rotary vane packages and reciprocating compression packages designed for Tank Vapor Recovery as well as Wellhead Booster applications. When the application requires equipment not currently in our rental fleet, we are able to add our new standard VRU’s to the fleet to fill our customer’s needs.

  • PLC controls

    Cimarron’s standard designs include Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs) which provide greater flexibility than embedded chip-based processors. In house programmers provide ability to make changes based on customers needs.

  • Applications Engineering

    We offer multiple compressor types and VRU designs to meet End User specific needs. Cimarron has over 45 years of combined Applications Engineering experience in reviewing and designing system to meet all types of customer needs.

  • In-house Engineering

    Our in-house engineers provide the ability to build custom and standard designs to meet all end users requirements. By having engineers on our staff that understand the design and application of Vapor Recovery units, Cimarron can provide quick and flexible designs.

  • Comprehensive Field Services

    We have a dedicated in-house service team with extensive VRU commissioning, operating, and troubleshooting experience in most major basins. Rest assured that Cimarron will be available to support the product throughout its life.

Photo Gallery

Technical Information

Expand sections below to see more information. If you’d like even more details, be sure to check out full Technical Library below.

  • How It Works

    Vapor Recovery Units (VRUs) are utilized to capture low pressure vapors from typical atmospheric storage tanks or VRTs.  A VRU is a compression based system used to collect and compress low volume gas streams for injection into the suction of a larger compressor, a meter run, a local site fuel gas system or directly into a gas gathering line. Mechanical VRUs consist of a driver motor that supplies the power to the compressor.

  • Additional Technical Information

    For the oil production upstream and midstream industry, Vapor Recovery Units are used to capture flash gas from storage tanks, a vapor recovery tower, or other sources on a location where pressure reduction is needed to stabilize fluids or assist in production efficiency. Multiple compressor types are available based on our customers applications – oil flooded screw, rotary vane and vertical reciprocating compressors.

    Standard Features for our Compression-based VRUs

    • Up to 98% reductions in emissions
    • Oil flooded screw, rotary vane or vertical reciprocating compressors per customer specs
    • Continuous real-time monitoring with dedicated field service support
    • Electric motor with motor starters, VFD and NEMA 3R weatherproof housing
    • PLC Control Panel (Class I, Group D, Div II), w/ standard shutdowns, pressure sensing & sequencing logic
    • Auto Recycle w/ compressor capacity control (By-Pass/Recycle)
    • Oil field type skids
    • ASME Code 150 PSIG MAWP Suction Scrubber
    • HY-BON legacy design built for difficult oilfield applications
    • Real and measurable ROI: 9 to 12 months depending on throughput

  • Design Parameter Considerations

    Cimarron offers multiple sizes and types of compressors for different customer needs. Compressors include rotary screw, rotary vane and vertical reciprocating compressors.  Ranging from 5 to over 500 HP, typical VRUs can be sized for flow rates as little as 5 Mcf per day and as much as 1,500 Mcf per day or more.

    Rotary Screw Compressors

    • Robust Design
    • Capable of more than 20:1 compression ratios in a single machine.
    • Wide range of gas compositions
    • Wide speed ranges for large changes in flow rate
    • Larger machines provided with internal capacity control
    • Brands: LeROI, Tamrotor, Sullair, Boss, Quincy and Rotorcomp
    • Common Applications include
      • Atmospheric Storage Tank Vapor Recovery
      • VRTs Vapor Recovery
      • Tankless facility Vapor Recovery
      • Wellhead and Casinghead Vapors

    Reciprocating Compressor

    • Vertical designs with packing for typical higher BTU vapor recovery applications
    • High discharge pressure applications
    • Full compartment distance piece
    • Single and two stage designs
    • Smaller flow rates than typical horizontal reciprocating type compressors
    • Brands: Blacker and Corken
    • Common Applications include
      • Atmospheric Storage Tank Vapor Recovery
      • VRTs Vapor Recovery
      • Tankless facility Vapor Recovery
      • Wellhead and Casinghead Vapors
      • Compressor Rod Packing Vent Recovery

    Rotary Vane Compressors

    • Up to 7 compression ratios in a single stage
    • Single and two stage designs
    • Excels in high MW or Corrosive gas steams with high levels of H2S and CO2
    • Capable of full vacuum service
    • Brands: Ro-Flo
    • Common Applications include
      • Atmospheric Storage Tank Vapor Recovery
      • VRTs Vapor Recovery
      • Tankless facility Vapor Recovery
      • Wellhead and Casinghead Vapors
      • BTEX Vapor Recovery

  • Sizing Charts

Want More Information?

For more documentation on all Cimarron’s products visit the Technical Library.

View Our Technical Library