What is the key indicator of a vapor recovery system's performance?

The effectiveness of vapor capture efficiency is crucial for evaluating a vapor recovery system's performance because it directly measures how well the system is able to capture vapors that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. High vapor capture efficiency indicates that the system effectively minimizes emissions during the transfer of liquid fuels, thereby enhancing environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

In a vapor recovery system, the primary goal is to reclaim product vapors that are emitted when liquid fuel is dispensed. If the capture efficiency is low, it suggests that a significant amount of vapors is being lost to the atmosphere, negating the benefits of the system. This metric is important not only for environmental reasons but also for tracking the economic efficiency of fuel usage and ensuring that the system functions as designed.

While the volume of liquid stored, the number of components in the system, and the length of the vapor lines all play a role in the design and operation of vapor recovery systems, they do not serve as direct indicators of how effectively the system is performing in capturing vapors. Thus, focusing on vapor capture efficiency provides the most relevant and actionable information regarding system performance.