In the same context of oil and gas recovery, oil depot loading and gas station refueling are two completely different operating conditions. Gas stations are at the "retail end": small flow rate, high frequency, and scattered operations throughout the day; oil depots are at the "wholesale end": large flow rate through loading arms, concentrated time slots, and single oil deliveries that are tens of times larger than those at gas stations. Due to different operating conditions, the recovery equipment faces completely different gas volume fluctuations, oil and gas concentrations, and safety requirements. Copying the configuration approach will lead to problems. Many oil depots use the parameters of gas stations when selecting equipment, resulting in processing capacity that cannot keep up during peak hours and underutilization during off-peak hours, all because they did not take the differences seriously. This article compares the two scenarios and clarifies the approach to configuration adaptation.
What is the difference between the two scenarios
The differences are concentrated in four aspects. First, capacity: The displacement capacity per unit time for loading and dispensing oil far exceeds that for refueling operations. The recovery system should be equipped with processing capacity based on the peak concurrent loading capacity, rather than the average. Second, concentration: The oil and gas discharged from the large breathing of loading vehicles have a high and stable concentration, and the recovery process can work efficiently in the high concentration range; the oil and gas at gas stations are diluted through pipelines, resulting in low concentrations and large fluctuations, which requires higher adaptability of equipment in the low concentration range. Third, operation rhythm: Oil depot loading is concentrated during daytime shifts, and equipment start-stop and load adjustment must keep up with the loading plan; gas stations operate throughout the day, with a focus on the stability of equipment operating under long-term low loads. Fourth, interface method: The dry joint of the loading arm and the gas collection hood of the fuel nozzle are two sets of sealing logics, with different key locations for leakage control.
Five key points for configuring compatibility on the oil depot side
- Verify gas volume based on peak concurrency: Calculate by considering the maximum number of loading arms that can be loaded simultaneously and the oil delivery volume per vehicle. It is better to leave some margin for equipment rather than allowing direct discharge during peak periods;
- Process route matching concentration: For high-concentration scenarios, priority should be given to routes with stable efficiency in the high-concentration range, such as the combination of condensation and adsorption. Do not forcefully apply low-concentration thinking;
- Control and follow the loading rhythm: Link equipment start-stop and load adjustment with the loading plan to avoid frequent start-stop damage to equipment and avoid idling and power consumption;
- Separate checks for interface sealing: The dry-type crane pipe connectors and tanker mouth seals are the first hurdles in loading and recycling. When selecting models, the quality and replacement convenience of the interface components should be compared;
- Monitoring points are arranged according to the reservoir area: Monitoring points for oil and gas concentration, flow rate, and pressure should cover the loading area and the main pipeline, with data recorded for easy review of the recovery status of each batch.
| Comparison dimension | Refuel at the gas station | Oil loading and dispatching at the oil depot |
|---|---|---|
| Single-point air volume | Fuel nozzle with small flow rate | The crane pipe has a large flow rate, which is dozens of times that of refueling |
| Oil and gas concentration | Low and highly volatile | High and relatively stable |
| Homework rhythm | Decentralized operations throughout the day | Day shift concentration, peak concurrency |
| Equipment focus | Stable operation under long-term low load | Peak processing capability and load regulation |
| Key sealing points | Fuel nozzle gas collection hood | Crane pipe dry joint and tanker nozzle |
| Configuration aperture | Calculate based on station-level fueling volume | Calculate based on peak concurrent loading |
One-sentence advice for the model selection party
The logic for selecting equipment for oil depot loading and recovery can be summarized in one sentence: "Allocate capacity based on peak values, control based on rhythms, and sealing based on interfaces." Before configuration, review the loading records of the depot area for the past month: the number of loading arms in use during peak hours, the oil delivery volume per vehicle, and the day-night load ratio. These three figures are more reliable than any empirical formula. Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. has experience in both oil depots and gas stations, and can provide tailored solutions and detailed configuration lists based on the actual oil delivery data of the depot area for comparison and decision-making. Although the equipment structures in the two scenarios have similarities, the operating parameters must be calculated separately - directly applying the drawings of gas stations to oil depots is the most common mistake in equipment selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same equipment be used for both storage and station purposes?
The structures share similarities, but the processing capabilities and control logic are customized according to specific operating conditions. Certain skid-mounted equipment can accommodate two types of scenarios through parameter adjustments, provided that it has been calculated separately for each operating condition. It cannot be shipped with adjustments made for only one scenario.
How to estimate the processing capacity for the renovation of an oil depot?
Based on the loading ledger: Multiply the number of loading arms in peak concurrency by the large breathing volume corresponding to the oil delivery volume per vehicle, and then leave a reasonable margin. Estimating based on experience or copying the configuration of neighboring depots are both prone to failures during peak periods.
Is there a significant difference between the daily inspection of loading and recycling and that of gas stations?
The framework remains the same - inspecting seals, data, and ledgers; however, the focus differs - the loading side focuses more on inspecting the wear of crane pipe joints and the status of dry valves, while the gas station side focuses more on inspecting the gas collection components at the nozzle end. It is recommended to create separate inspection checklists based on different scenarios, rather than using a single checklist for all purposes.
This article is compiled by Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. The company provides design and manufacturing, skid-mounted customization, installation and commissioning, as well as after-sales operation and maintenance services for three-time oil and gas recovery equipment to gas stations and oil depots. If you need on-site inspection or scheme configuration, please feel free to contact us for discussion.