Life

Dec 29, 2023

They always stretch high next to underground fuel tanks at petrol stations, but not many people can immediately pinpoint their vital role.

Petrol Station Vents, as they are referred to, are key in keeping the areas safe after the tanks are filled with fuel and tightly capped.

A Petroleum technology company, VR Rifners, explains that the pipes can also be used to measure volumetric vent pipe flow rates and pressure in storage tanks.

They are also key in estimating the underground storage tanks' headspace at high temporal resolution.

"Safety experts also use vents to examine the exceedance of short-term exposure limits to benzene around gas stations in order to prevent fluids from exploding into fire," VR Rifners.

The fuel in the underground tanks gradually changes in temperature to match the surrounding ground, which is often hot.

To introduce a conductively cool environment, Petrol Station Attendants use Fuel Vents to create changes in temperature.

This happens as fuel is drawn from the tanks and fresh air is introduced to replace the volume occupied by the liquid.

The tall nature of vents is vital in ensuring that any vapour is ignited by passersby or those drawing fuel from the underground tanks.

Petrol Station Vents normally release fuel vapour into the atmosphere from storage tanks through pipes sieves.

"Based on the measured vent emission and meteorological data, petrol attendants perform air dispersion modeling to obtain hourly atmospheric benzene levels," VR Refiners.

Section 11 (g) of the Energy Act, 2019 mandates the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to formulate, set, enforce and review environmental, health, safety and quality standards for the energy sector in coordination with other statutory authorities.

EPRA is very strict in ensuring that safety standards at Petrol Stations are always adhered to, including the maintenance of the vent pipes.

"To achieve this, the department works in collaboration/consultation with statutory authorities such as National Environmental Management Authority(NEMA), Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) and the Kenya Maritime Authority," EPRA stated in a statement.