DEQ - Stage I Gasoline Vapor Recovery

In the simplest of terms, vapor recovery is transferring vapors from the storage tank being filled with gasoline to the tanker truck that is being emptied of gasoline. Stage I vapor recovery collects vapors when underground or aboveground gasoline storage tanks are being filled. During loading, when vapor recovery is connected, the vapors travel through a hose from the storage tank to the tanker truck as opposed to escaping through the vent pipe and into the atmosphere when vapor recovery is not connected. The tanker truck returns the vapors to the terminal where they can be recovered as gasoline. Gasoline stations located in designated areas of Michigan must use Stage I vapor recovery.

Gasoline is a valuable commodity. Gasoline vapors lead to the formation of ground level ozone, an air pollutant that triggers a variety of health problems including aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. Vapor recovery captures an amount of vapor equivalent to 10-15 gallons of gasoline each time a tanker truck unloads (1). During a year, that amounts to 5 million gallons of gasoline that potentially could be recovered in Michigan, or in other words, 37.5 million pounds (18,750 tons) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not emitted into the air (2).

This booklet is designed to help gasoline station owners and tanker truck drivers understand the Stage I vapor recovery requirements that reduce emissions during the loading of gasoline storage tanks. Stage I vapor recovery requirements impact the operations of gasoline stations, terminals, and tanker trucks. With everyone doing their part, the gasoline service industry can make a significant improvement in the air quality of our urban areas. Questions regarding the content of the publication may be directed to Anita Welch, Michigan Clean Air Assistance Program at (517) 335-2356 or welcha@michigan.gov .

Stick the tank to verify the tank's fuel capacity.
Attach the vapor recovery hose to tanker and to the gasoline storage tank. The vapor recovery hose should be the first hose on and the last hose off.
Attach the fuel hose to the tanker and to the gasoline storage tank.
Make sure all the connections are tight and secured and that all gaskets are in place and in good condition.
Look, listen and smell for liquid and vapor leaks.
Make sure that caps are replaced on the fill adapter and vapor recovery adapter after the load is dropped.
Report any problems to the station owner or manager on site.
Do not deliver gasoline to a storage tank that has damaged or dysfunctional vapor recovery equipment.
Always stay within twenty-five feet of the tanker truck.
Use your vapor recovery equipment at all times. Failure to use vapor recovery equipment (in areas noted in picture above) is a violation of state and federal laws. Drivers as well as station owners can be held personally responsible for failing to ensure the vapor recovery equipment is properly connected for each delivery of gasoline.

Connect the terminal's vapor recovery hose to the tanker. The vapor recovery hose should be the first hose on and the last hose off.
Connect the terminal's fuel hose to the tanker.
Follow all specific loading instructions posted at the terminal.
Listen for hissing or whistling or smell for excessive vapor while loading. This may indicate leaking from the dome hatch and/or vapor vent covers. Correct any problems immediately. See Figure 9
Report any problems to the terminal operator.


Required poppeted vapor recovery adapter. Reproduced courtesy of OPW. May 2006.	Required poppeted vapor recovery adapter with recommended orange cap (signifying vapor recovery).	Pressure/Vaccuum vent cap. Reproduced courtesy of OPW. May 2006.

(1) Petroleum Equipment Institute, December 1992, Keeping It Clean: Making Safe and Spill-Free Motor Fuel Deliveries.

(2) Based on data from Michigan Department of Treasury, Motor Fuel Division - approximately five billion gallons of gasoline each year is delivered to Michigan gasoline stations, an average load of gasoline is 10,000 gallons, and vapor recovery is responsible for recovering 10 gallons of gasoline vapor per load.

For More Information or Additional Assistance, contact the
Environmental Assistance Program at 800-662-9278

Do you have an outreach idea or suggestion for our Program? Please feel free to submit your requests to: David Fiedler.