scope:

This standard describes in concrete terms the best available technology for vapour recovery systems and associated devices within the context of the 20th BImSchV. It sets out binding test criteria and conditions for monitoring the functional efficiency of a vapour recovery system as a whole system. This includes vapour return lines, mobile containers and interlocking devices together with their respective components.

This standard applies to the inspection of vapour recovery systems in installations that require licensing pursuant to No. 4.4 of the 4th BImSchV (Ordinance on Installations Requiring a Permit) as well as installations that do not require licensing such as storage tanks in tank farms, loading gantries in tank farms or mobile containers in tank farms. These are facilities for the storage, loading and unloading of petrol, fuel blends and naphtha in which the vapours are collected by means of a vapour recovery system and fed into the loading facility such that the reduction in emissions obtained is at least equivalent to that of an exhaust gas treatment facility pursuant to Section 4 Subsection 1 No. 2 of the 20th BImSchV.

There are two types of installation subject to licensing pursuant to No. 4.4 of the 4th BImSchV. Installations pursuant to No. 9.2.1 require an immission control license issued under the "licensing procedure with public participation". This includes installations with a throughput of 10 000 tonnes or more if the liquids have a flashpoint of 373,15 K or less.