Abstract: The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are to be used in providing systems for cool thermal storage. Some of the systems can also be used to accomplish purification of dilute solutions. Three working mediums are used. These mediums are: (a) a primary cool storage medium that undergoes solidification and liquefaction operations, (b) a final heat interaction medium that is used to provide air conditioning and (c) an intermediate heat interaction medium that undergoes vaporization and condensation operations to enhance heat interactions. During a charging period, the intermediate medium is vaporized to remove heat from the primary medium to thereby produce a first vapor of the intermediate medium and solidify the primary medium, and the first vapor is condensed by removing heat from it.

Abstract: A process for separating nitrogen and hydrocarbons from a mixture of gases by splitting the mixture into a plurality of separate streams and throttling the flow of each stream to achieve a selected variable flow rate therebetween. The plurality of separate streams and individually cooled by exchanging heat with a plurality of different process streams, then the cooled separate streams are combined, cooled by another process stream, and again cooled by expansion. The cooled combined streams then enter a separation column where nitrogen ascends the column and exits as a process stream while hydrocarbon descends the column to a reboiler therof and exits as another process stream. The reboiler is used for cooling one of the separate streams and is therefore one of the process streams. The hydrocarbon from the column is expanded and used for the processe stream that first cools the combined streams and thereafter cools another of the separate streams and then is discharged from the process.

Abstract: A low-temperature liquefied gas outflow device wherein an outflow nozzle having a plurality of through-holes is provided through the base of a heat-insulating container having an opening at the top, and a cover member closing the opening, a control device for selectively opening or closing any desired number of the plurality of through-holes provided in the outflow nozzle is provided. The heat-insulating container has a level sensor located within the heat-insulating container, a liquefied gas supply conduit running through the cover member, a vaporized-gas exhaust conduit provided in the cover member, and a check valve inserted into the liquefied gas supply conduit, operating in response to a signal from the level sensor. The control device for selectively opening or closing the through-holes comprises a plurality of valve elements for selectively closing the through-holes, and an elevation cylinder for controlling the operation of the plurality of valve elements.

Abstract: In a storage installation for liquefied gas in a storage vessel surrounded by a wall which forms a collecting space around the vessel, the surfaces of the ground of the collecting space and/or the wall comprise a layer of a heat insulating material, whereby any liquefied gas collected in said collecting space evaporates more slowly thereby reducing hazard from gas vaporized in said collecting space.