Patent ID: 7951226
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing emissions of a volatile organic compound (“VOC”) from a positive-displacement pump used for pumping a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises the VOC, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (i) enclosing at least an exposed portion of a reciprocating piston or plunger of the pump to form an enclosure; and (ii) operatively positioning a VOC-absorbing material to reduce VOC emissions from the enclosure to the atmosphere; wherein the step of operatively positioning further comprises: positioning the VOC-absorbing material in a trap operatively connected to a fluid line from the enclosure; wherein the fluid line is a drain line from the enclosure and the trap is connected to the drain line from the enclosure; and wherein the trap comprises: (a) a liquid container defining a lower liquid chamber and an upper chamber for the VOC-absorbing material; (b) a removable lid for accessing the upper chamber for the VOC-absorbing material; (c) a fluid inlet line into the lower liquid chamber of the container adapted to be connected to a drain line from the enclosure; (d) a fluid outlet line adapted to be connected to a drain line to fluid waste, wherein the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are positioned in the liquid chamber such that a liquid barrier can be maintained between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and (e) a breathing aperture from the upper chamber, whereby any gases in the fluid from the fluid inlet pass through the VOC-absorbing material before being vented to the atmosphere.