Determination of 2 Inch WC Static Pressure Performance of Vapor Recovery Systems of Dispensing Facilities
Determination of 2 Inch WC Static Pressure Performance of Vapor Recovery Systems of Dispensing Facilities
Determination of 2 Inch WC Static Pressure Performance of Vapor Recovery Systems of Dispensing Facilities
TP-201.3
Determination of 2 Inch WC
Static Pressure Performance of Vapor Recovery
Systems of Dispensing Facilities
.
California Environmental Protection Agency
Air Resources Board
Vapor Recovery Test Procedure
TP-201.3
1 APPLICABILITY
For the purpose of this procedure, the term "ARB” or “CARB" refers to the California
Air Resources Board, and the term "Executive Officer" refers to the ARB Executive
Officer or his or her authorized representative or designate.
1.1 This test procedure is used to quantify the vapor tightness of vapor recovery
systems installed at gasoline dispensing facilities (GDF) equipped with
pressure/vacuum (P/V) valves, provided that the designed pressure setting of the
P/V valves is a minimum of 2.5 inches of water column (inches H 2 O).
1.2 Systems equipped with a P/V valve(s) allowed to have a designed cracking
pressure less than 2.5 inches H 2 O shall be bagged to eliminate any flow
contribution through the valve assembly from the test results. The valve/vent
pipe connection, however, shall remain unobstructed during this test.
1.3 At facilities not required to be equipped with a P/V valve(s), the vent pipe(s) shall
be capped. For those installations, the test may be conducted at the vent
pipe(s).
2.1 The entire vapor recovery system is pressurized with nitrogen to two (2.0) inches
H 2 O. The system pressure is then allowed to decay and the pressure after five
(5) minutes is compared with an allowable value. The minimum allowable five-
minute final pressure is based on the system ullage and pressure decay
equations. For the purpose of compliance determination, this test shall be
conducted after all back-filling, paving, and installation of all Phase I and Phase
II components, including P/V valves, has been completed.
3 RANGE
3.1 If mechanical pressure gauges are employed, the full-scale range of pressure
gauges shall be 0-2.0, 0-1.0, and 0-0.50 inches H 2 O column. Maximum
incremental graduations of the pressure gauge shall be 0.05 inches H 2 O and the
minimum accuracy of the gauge shall be three percent of full scale. The
minimum diameter of the pressure gauge face shall be 4 inches.
3.2 If an electronic pressure measuring device is used, the full-scale range of the
device shall not exceed 0-10 inches H 2 O with a minimum accuracy of 0.5
percent of full-scale. A 0-20 inches H 2 O device may be used, provided the
equivalent accuracy is not less than 0.25 percent of full-scale.
3.3 The minimum total ullage, for each individual tank, shall be 1,000 gallons or 25%
of the tank capacity, whichever is less. The maximum total ullage, for all
manifolded tanks, shall not exceed 25,000 gallons. These values are exclusive of
all vapor piping volumes.
3.4 The minimum and maximum nitrogen feed-rates, into the system, shall be one
(1) and five (5) CFM, respectively.
4 INTERFERENCES
4.1 Introduction of nitrogen into the system at flowrates exceeding five (5) CFM may
bias the results of the test toward non-compliance. Only gaseous nitrogen shall
be used to conduct this test. Air, liquefied nitrogen, helium, or any gas other than
nitrogen shall not be used for this test procedure.
4.2 For vacuum-assist Phase II systems which utilize an incinerator, power to the
collection unit and the processor shall be turned off during testing.
4.3 For vacuum-assist systems, with positive displacement vacuum pumps, which
locate the vacuum producing device in-line between the Phase II vapor riser and
the storage tank, the following requirements shall apply:
4.3.1 A valve shall be installed at the vacuum producing device. When closed, this
valve shall isolate the vapor passage downstream of the vacuum producing
device.
4.3.3 The upstream vapor passage (nozzle to vacuum producing device) shall also
be tested. Methodology for this test shall be submitted to the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) for approval prior to submission of test results or
shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
applicable CARB Executive Order.
4.4 The results of this static pressure integrity test shall not be used to verify
compliance if an Air to Liquid Volumetric Ratio Test (TP-201.5 or equivalent) was
conducted within 24 hours prior to this test.
5 APPARATUS
5.1 Nitrogen
Use commercial grade nitrogen in a high pressure cylinder, equipped with a two-
stage pressure regulator and a one psig pressure relief valve.
Use 0-2.0, 0-1.0, and 0-0.50 inches H 2 O pressure gauges connected in parallel,
a 0-2 inches H 2 O manometer, or an electronic pressure measuring device to
monitor the pressure decay in the vapor recovery system. The pressure
measuring device shall, at a minimum, be readable to the nearest 0.05 inches
H 2 O.
Use a compatible OPW 634-B cap, or equivalent, equipped with a center probe
to open the poppet, a pressure measuring device to monitor the pressure decay,
and a connection for the introduction of nitrogen into the system. See Figure 3
for an example.
5.6 Stopwatch
Any liquid solution designed to detect vapor leaks may be used to verify the
pressure integrity of system components during this test.
6 PRE-TEST PROCEDURES
6.1.2 A one psig relief valve shall be installed to prevent the possible over-
pressurizing of the storage tank.
6.1.3 A ground strap should be employed during the introduction of nitrogen into
the system.
6.2 Failure to adhere to any or all of the following time and activity restrictions shall
6.2.1 There shall be no Phase I bulk product deliveries into or out of the storage
tank(s) within the three (3) hours prior to the test or during performance of
this test procedure.
6.2.2 There shall be no product dispensing within thirty (30) minutes prior to the
test or during performance of this test procedure.
6.2.3 Upon commencement of the thirty minute “no dispensing” portion of this
procedure, the headspace pressure in the tank shall be measured. If the
pressure exceeds 0.50 inches H 2 O, the pressure shall be carefully relieved in
accordance with all applicable safety requirements. After the thirty minute “no
dispensing” portion of this procedure, and prior to introduction of nitrogen, the
headspace pressure shall again be lowered, if necessary, to less than 0.50
inches H 2 O.
6.2.4 There shall be no Air to Liquid Volumetric Ratio Test (TP-201.5 or equivalent)
conducted within the twenty-four (24) hour period immediately prior to this
test.
6.2.5 The test shall be conducted with the station in normal operating mode. This
includes all nozzles properly hung up in the dispenser boots and all dispenser
cabinet covers in place. The exception to normal operating mode is that
dispensing is disallowed as specified.
6.3 Measure the gallons of gasoline present in each underground storage tank and
determine the actual capacity of each storage tank from facility records.
Calculate the ullage space for each tank by subtracting the gasoline gallonage
present from the actual tank capacity. The minimum ullage during the test, for all
manifolded tanks, shall be 1,000 gallons or 25 percent of the tank capacity,
whichever is less. The total ullage, for all manifolded tanks, shall not exceed
25,000 gallons.
6.4 For two-point Phase I systems, this test shall be conducted with the dust cap
removed from both the product and the vapor coupler. This is necessary to
determine the vapor tightness of the Phase I vapor poppet. See Section 6.7 if
this test is to be conducted at the Phase I vapor coupler.
6.4.1 For coaxial Phase I systems, this test shall be conducted with the dust cap
removed from the Phase I coupler. This is necessary to insure the vapor
tightness of the Phase I vapor poppet.
6.4.2 Verify that the liquid level in the storage tank is at least four (4) inches above
the highest opening at the bottom of the submerged drop tube.
6.6 If the test is to conducted at a Phase II vapor riser, disconnect the dispenser end
of one vapor recovery hose and install the “T” connector assembly (see Figure
1). Connect the nitrogen gas supply (do not use air) and the pressure measuring
device to the “T” connector.
6.6.1 For those Phase II vapor systems utilizing a dispenser mounted remote vapor
check valve, the “T” connector assembly shall be installed on the vapor riser
side of the check valve.
6.7 If this test is to be conducted at the Phase I vapor coupler on a two-point Phase I
system, the procedures set forth in subsections 6.7.1 and 6.7.2 shall be
successfully completed prior to testing. The static pressure integrity test shall
not be conducted at the Phase I coupler at facilities equipped with coaxial Phase
I systems.
6.7.1 Connect the Vapor Coupler Integrity Assembly to the Phase I vapor coupler.
Connect the Vapor Coupler Test Assembly. Connect the nitrogen supply to
the assembly and carefully pressurize the internal volume of the assembly to
two (2.0) inches H 2 O. Start the stopwatch. Record the final pressure after
one minute.
6.7.2 If the pressure after one minute is less than 0.25 inches H 2 O, the leak rate
through the Phase I vapor poppet precludes conducting the static leak test at
this location. If the pressure after one minute is greater than or equal to 0.25
inches H 2 O, the static leak test may be conducted at this location. This
criteria assures a maximum leak rate through the Phase I vapor poppet of
less than 0.0004 cubic feet per minute.
6.7.3 Disconnect the Vapor Coupler Integrity Assembly to the Phase I vapor
coupler. If the requirements of subsection 6.7.2 were met, connect the Vapor
Coupler Test Assembly to the Phase I vapor coupler.
6.7.4 Product may be poured onto the Phase I vapor coupler to check for leaks.
This diagnostic procedure shall not be substituted for the procedures set forth
in subsections 6.7.1 and 6.7.2.
6.8 All pressure measuring device(s) shall be bench calibrated using either a
reference gauge or incline manometer. Calibration shall be performed at 20, 50,
and 80 percent of full scale. Accuracy shall be within two percent at each of
these calibration points. Calibrations shall be conducted on a frequency not to
exceed 90 days.
6.10 Use Equation 9.3 to calculate the approximate time required to pressurize the
system ullage to the initial starting pressure of two (2.0) inches H 2 O. This will
allow the tester to minimize the quantity of nitrogen introduced into those
systems which cannot comply with the static leak standards.
6.11 Attach the Vapor Coupler Test assembly to the Phase I poppet or the “T”
connector assembly to the Phase II vapor riser. Read the initial pressure of the
storage tank and underground piping. If the initial pressure is greater than 0.5
inches H 2 O, carefully bleed off the pressure, in accordance with all applicable
safety procedures, in the storage tank and underground piping to less than 0.5
inches H 2 O column.
6.12 Any electronic manometers shall be subject to warm-up and drift check before
use; see Section 4.5.
7 TESTING
7.1 Open the nitrogen gas supply valve and set the regulator delivery pressure within
the allowable range determined in Section 6.9, and start the stopwatch.
Pressurize the vapor system (or subsystem for individual vapor return line
systems) to at least 2.2 inches H 2 O initial pressure. It is critical to maintain the
nitrogen flow until the pressure stabilizes, indicating temperature and vapor
pressure stabilization in the tanks. Check the test equipment using leak
detecting solution or a combustible gas detector to verify that all test equipment
is leak tight. Note: if a combustible gas detector is used to search for leaks,
components which were certified with an allowable leak rate, such as 0.38 CFH
at a pressure of two (2) inches, cannot be determined to be faulty solely on the
basis of the concentration registered on the instrument.
7.1.1 If the time required to achieve the initial pressure of two (2.0) inches H 2 O
exceeds twice the time derived from Equation 9.3, stop the test and use liquid
leak detector, or a combustible gas detector, to find leak(s) in the system.
Failure to achieve the initial starting pressure within twice the time derived
from Equation 9.3 demonstrates the inability of the system to meet the
performance criteria. Repair or replace the faulty component(s) and restart
the test pursuant to Section 7.1.
7.3 At one-minute intervals during the test, record the system pressure. After five
minutes, record the final system pressure. See the applicable of Tables 1A (or
Equation 9.1) or 1B (or equation 9.2) to determine the acceptability of the final
system static pressure results. For intermediate values of ullage in Tables 1A
and 1B, linear interpolation may be employed.
7.4 If the system failed to meet the criteria set forth in Table 1A or 1B (or the
appropriate equation in Section 9), repressurize the system and check all
accessible vapor connections using leak detector solution or a combustible gas
detector. If vapor leaks in the system are encountered, repair or replace the
defective component and repeat the test. Potential sources of leaks include
nozzle check valves, nozzle vapor paths, pressure/vacuum relief valves,
containment box drain valve assemblies, and plumbing connections at the risers.
7.4.1 If the facility fails to comply with the static leak test standards and the two
point Phase I system utilizes overfill prevention devices in the drop tubes
which were installed before July 1, 1993, and which are unable to pass the
test with the dust caps removed from the product and vapor couplers (see
Sec. 6.4), the test may be conducted with the caps on the couplers, as an
exception.
This exception expires on January 1, 2002, after which date all testing shall
be conducted with the fill and vapor caps removed from two point systems.
Under no circumstances may the test be conducted with the caps on coaxial
Phase I couplers.
7.5 After the remaining system pressure has been relieved, remove the “T”
connector assembly and reconnect the vapor recovery hose, if applicable.
7.6 If the vapor recovery system utilizes individual vapor return lines, repeat the leak
test for each gasoline grade. Avoid leaving any vapor return line open longer
than is necessary to install or remove the “T” connector assembly.
7.7 If the applicable CARB Executive Order requires the test to be conducted with
and without the containment box cover in place, repeat the test with the cover in
place. In these cases clearly specify, on Form 1, which results represent the
pressure integrity with and without the cover in place.
8.1 Use the applicable of Table 1A or 1B, or the applicable of Equations 9.1 or 9.2,
to determine the compliance status of the facility by comparing the final five-
minute pressure with the minimum allowable final pressure.
8.1.1 For balance Phase II systems use Table 1A or the applicable of Equation 9.1
to determine compliance.
9 CALCULATIONS
9.1 For Phase II Balance Systems, the minimum allowable five-minute final
pressure, with an initial pressure of two (2.0) inches H 2 O, shall be calculated as
follows:
-760.490
Pf = 2 e
V
if N = 1- 6 [Equation 9-1]
-792.196
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 7 - 12
-824.023
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 13 - 18
-855.974
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 19 - 24
-888.047
V
Pf = 2 e if N > 24
where:
-500.887
V [Equation 9-2]
Pf = 2 e if N = 1- 6
-531.614
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 7 - 12
-562.455
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 13 - 18
-593.412
V
Pf = 2 e if N = 19 - 24
-624.483
V
Pf = 2 e if N > 24
where:
9.3 The minimum time required to pressurize the system ullage from zero (0) to two
(2.0) inches H 2 O gauge pressure shall be calculated as follows:
____ V_______
t2 = (1522)F [Equation 9-3]
where:
9.4 If the policy of the local District requires an allowable tolerance for testing error,
the minimum allowable five-minute final pressure, including testing error, shall be
calculated as follows:
E
P f -E = 2 - 1+ [408.9 - (P f + 406.9 )] [Equation 9-4]
100
where:
10 REPORTING
10.1 The calculated ullage and system pressures for each five-minute vapor recovery
system test shall be reported as shown in Form 1. District may require the use of
alternate forms, provided they include the same minimum parameters identified
in Form 1. Be sure to include the Phase I system type (two-point or coaxial), the
Phase II system type, whether the system is manifolded, and the one-minute
pressures during the test.
Note: For manifolded Phase II Balance Systems, the “Number of Affected Nozzles” shall be the total of all gasoline nozzles. For dedicated
return configurations, the “Number of Affected Nozzles” shall be the total of those nozzles served by the tank being tested.
Note: For manifolded Phase II Assist Systems, the “Number of Affected Nozzles” shall be the total of all gasoline nozzles. For dedicated
return configurations, the “Number of Affected Nozzles” shall be t he total of those nozzles served by the tank being tested.
Balance ____
GDF Phone No. (___)________________ Hirt
____
Red Jacket
Permit Conditions Source: GDF Vapor Recovery System
____
Hasstech
____
Healy
____
GDF # Other
A/C # Manifolded? Y or N
Operating Parameters
Number of Nozzles Served by Tank #1 ______ Number of Nozzles Served by Tank #3 ______
Number of Nozzles Served by Tank #2 ______ Number of Nozzles Served by Tank #4 ______
1. Product Grade
3. Gasoline Volume
Pressure Gauge
TO RISER TO SWIVEL
PLUG
COUPLER
CAP
(TO BE TESTED)
BLEEDER VALVE AND
QUICK CONNECT FITTING
POPPET ACTUATION
PROBE
PRESSURE GAUGE
GASKET
BLEEDER VALVE AND
QUICK CONNECT FITTING