Featured Project: North Dakota Frac Tank Filling Vapor Control – 30-Tank Shale Oil Transfer (NDDEQ & EPA BACT Compliance)
In North Dakota’s Bakken shale play, NDAC 33.1-15-07: Control of Organic Compounds requires >95% control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from oil/condensate storage tanks and loading operations, with NDDEQ Guideline APEN-2 triggering Air Pollutant Emission Notices (APENs) for emissions ≥2 tpy uncontrolled. Frac tank filling with high-RVP Bakken crude (10–14 psi) routinely generates 500–2,000 scfm of vapors containing BTEX, H₂S, and methane — making passive carbon systems saturate in hours while chemical scrubbers run weeks.
Envent’s ESCRUB-1000P passive scrubber + VapoScrubEX5 is the proven, NDDEQ-accepted solution for frac tank filling, tank battery transfers, and pipeline pigging receiver vapors.
The Challenge: 30 Frac Tanks Filling Simultaneously with Bakken Shale Oil
A major petroleum producer needed vapor control while transferring high-vapor-pressure shale oil from a pipeline into 30 frac tanks — two groups of 15 tanks each.
- Peak vapor flows up to 1,000 scfm per group
- High BTEX + H₂S content (Bakken crude averages 1–3% H₂S)
- Remote location — carbon change-outs logistically difficult
- Full NDDEQ compliance required (APEN filed, >95% control)
Envent’s Head-to-Head Solution: Passive Scrubber vs. Passive Carbon
Envent manifolded each set of 15 tanks and compared two NDDEQ-approved systems side-by-side:
| System | Group 1 (15 tanks) | Group 2 (15 tanks) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | ESCRUB-1000P + VapoScrubEX5 | 20,000 lb passive carbon vessel |
| Media | Proprietary non-hazardous liquid | Activated carbon |
| H₂S & VOC Removal | >99% | 90–95% (early breakthrough) |
| Run Time Before Service | >45 days | <12 days |
| Change-Outs Required | 0 | 3+ |
The ESCRUB-1000P + VapoScrubEX5 ran the entire transfer with zero breakthrough, zero odors, and zero media swaps.
Proven Results – $21,000 Direct Savings + Zero Compliance Risk
| Benefit | Delivered Outcome |
|---|---|
| VOC/H₂S Control Efficiency | >99% — exceeded NDDEQ 95% requirement |
| Media Life | 4× longer than carbon |
| Change-Outs Avoided | 3+ carbon swaps eliminated |
| Direct Cost Savings | $21,000 (media + labor + disposal) |
| Regulatory Assurance | Full APEN documentation, no NOVs, no odor complaints |
| Safety | No bed fires or H₂S breakthrough |
This side-by-side test is why Bakken producers now specify ESCRUB + VapoScrubEX5 as standard for every frac tank fill, truck loading rack, and pig receiver job.
Got Frac Tanks or Crude-by-Rail Loading in North Dakota? Get your Free NDDEQ Compliance Review & ESCRUB Quote today. Call Envent at 888-997-9465 or email [email protected] — we keep Bakken vapors under control, every tank, every time.
