What is the purpose of a carbon canister in vapor recovery systems?

The primary purpose of a carbon canister in vapor recovery systems is to adsorb vapors and prevent their release into the atmosphere. These systems are designed to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate during the refueling process and transfer them to a storage medium, which in this case is activated carbon in the canister.

When fuel is dispensed, vapors that are released can be harmful to the environment and contribute to air pollution. The carbon canister collects these vapors, allowing the system to reroute them back into the fuel tank or store them until they can be properly processed or utilized, thereby reducing emissions and promoting cleaner air.

This function is critical in regulatory compliance and environmental protection efforts. By effectively capturing and storing fuel vapors, the carbon canister plays a vital role in maintaining air quality standards and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel dispensing operations. Other choices do not align with the vapor recovery system's objectives, as they address different aspects of fuel handling and management rather than vapor control.