Multi-compartmented vacuum tank

Abstract

A storage vessel, such as a compartmented vacuum tank or a plurality of vacuum tanks, is connected to a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is used to produce a vacuum in each compartment of a multi-compartmented vacuum tank or in each tank of a plurality of vacuum tanks such that a suction nozzle extending from each compartment of a compartmented vacuum tank or from each of a plurality of vacuum tanks can remove various operating liquids from fill ports of a salvage vehicle. The liquids are segregated according to type of liquid and fill a compartment of a multi-compartmented vacuum tank or a tank of a plurality of vacuum tanks to a level at which the vacuum to the compartment or tank is terminated by a float valve. During evacuation of the tank compartments or vacuum tanks, fumes drawn off through the vacuum line from the fluids in the compartments or tanks are fed through the vacuum pump to a discharge line and forced towards a vent to the atmosphere. Prior to atmospheric venting, a portion of the collected fumes are drawn off by a bleed line and delivered to an air intake manifold of a gasoline engine which powers the vacuum pump. Accordingly, a portion of the evacuated fumes are burnt within the power source, such as a gasoline engine, used to drive the vacuum pump.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.