Abstract: A cryogenic tank system includes a plurality of heat exchangers for heating an interior volume of a storage container. Heat transfer to the interior volume of the storage container by the plurality of heat exchangers pressurizes the interior volume of the storage container. The system further includes a valve assembly mounted to the storage container and positioned substantially within the storage container. The valve assembly includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The outlet portion is positioned outside of the storage container, and the inlet portion is positioned within the storage container. The inlet portion is sealable by a fail-closed powered sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A foot valve assembly for a submergible pump including a substantially open-ended submergible pump housing having an interior volume is disclosed. The foot valve assembly also includes an actuator configured to be operated by pressurized fluid. The foot valve assembly also includes a sealing mechanism positioned at the open end of the submergible pump housing and configured to alter fluid flow into the pump housing. The sealing mechanism is attached to the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the sealing mechanism between a first position and a second position, the first position being a closed position and the second position being an open position.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a pump having a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned and a supplemental linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The pumping and actuating pistons and supplemental linear actuator are joined by connecting rods. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from a storage tank is vaporized in a heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder to power the pump with the assistance of the supplemental linear actuator so that high pump discharge pressures may be obtained.

Abstract: A system dispenses both liquid natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). A bulk tank contains a supply of LNG which is pumped to a smaller storage tank. After the storage tank is refilled, LNG from the bulk tank is pumped to a vaporizer so that CNG is produced. The CNG may be routed to the LNG in the storage tank to condition it. It is also used to recharge a pressurizing cylinder that is placed in communication with the head space of the storage tank when it is desired to rapidly dispense LNG to a vehicle. A bank of cascaded storage cylinders alternatively may receive CNG from the vaporizer for later dispensing through the system CNG dispenser. The CNG from the vaporizer may also be dispensed directly via the system CNG dispenser.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a pump having a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned and a supplemental linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The pumping and actuating pistons and supplemental linear actuator are joined by connecting rods. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from a storage tank is vaporized in a heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder to power the pump with the assistance of the supplemental linear actuator so that high pump discharge pressures may be obtained.

Abstract: A system for transferring and conditioning a cryogenic liquid includes a replenishing tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a bulk tank and a pump positioned there between. The pump causes a stream of the cryogenic liquid to flow from the replenishing tank to the bulk storage tank. A heat exchanger and parallel by-pass line are positioned between the pump and bulk storage tank. A flow control valve diverts a portion of the stream to the heat exchanger so that it is warmed and rejoined with the remaining cryogenic liquid flowing through the flow control valve. The warmed stream then flows to the bulk storage tank. The flow control valve is adjusted based upon pressures within the bulk storage tank via a pressure line in communication with the head space of the bulk storage tank and a pneumatic controller or a pressure sensor in the bulk tank head space and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A cryogenic system that off-loads cryogenic liquid from a delivery vehicle and pumps the cryogenic liquid to a storage tank includes an interlock that enables the pneumatic valves which control the flow of the cryogen. The interlock includes a pneumatic relay, a pneumatic line and a pressure sensing line. The pneumatic line transfers pressurized air to the pneumatic relay while the pressure sensing line pressurizes the pneumatic relay when hoses from a delivery truck are connected to the system. The pneumatic relay includes a housing that defines a chamber with a piston having an arcuate passage located therein. When a hose from the delivery truck is connected to the system, the pressure sensing line detects a change in pressure and pressurizes the pneumatic relay. The pressure displaces the piston of the pneumatic relay which aligns the arcuate passage of the relay with the pneumatic valve to allow pressurized air to travel to the pneumatic valve thereby opening the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A liquefaction system includes a source tank containing a supply of liquid nitrogen with a head space there above filled with nitrogen vapor. A pump transfers the liquid nitrogen to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger also receives natural gas that has been processed in a purifier. The natural gas is liquefied by free cold from the liquid nitrogen so that liquid natural gas (LNG) is produced. The LNG travels to an LNG destination tank for storage and/or transport. The liquid nitrogen is vaporized in the heat exchanger. The resulting nitrogen gas is directed to a process system that may include, for example, cylinders for welding or other applications. Between liquefaction cycles, the purifier is regenerated by a vacuum and nitrogen vapor from the head space of the source tank. Steel shot is mixed with absorbent in the purifier so that the absorbent is cooled for increased performance.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes an insulated storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a pump, a heat exchanger and a gas and liquid mixer. The pump includes a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned. The pumping and actuating pistons are joined by a connecting rod. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from the storage tank by the pumping piston and cylinder is vaporized in the heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder on alternating sides of the actuating piston to power the pump. The vaporized cryogen is also used to heat the pumped cryogenic liquid in the mixer. The conditioned cryogenic liquid is then dispensed from the mixer via a dispensing line.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes an insulated storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a pump, a heat exchanger and a gas and liquid mixer. The pump includes a pumping cylinder within which a sliding pumping piston is positioned. The pump also includes an actuating cylinder within which a sliding actuating piston is positioned. The pumping and actuating pistons are joined by a connecting rod. A portion of the cryogenic liquid pumped from the storage tank by the pumping piston and cylinder is vaporized in the heat exchanger and introduced into the actuating cylinder on alternating sides of the actuating piston to power the pump. The vaporized cryogen is also used to heat the pumped cryogenic liquid in the mixer. The conditioned cryogenic liquid is then dispensed from the mixer via a dispensing line.

Abstract: In a system for detecting overflow of a liquid cryogen storage tank, a differential pressure gauge measures the pressure of the tank at the top and bottom of the tank while liquid cryogen is introduced into the tank. Once the measurement reaches a predetermined amount, the operator terminates the fill. Alternatively, the differential pressure gauge sends a signal to the controller and the controller shuts the valves off. The tank includes an outlet pipe connected to either an audible device or avisual device and a vent stack. The excess cryogen, liquid or vapor, flows out of the tank through the outlet pipe. The audible device whistles when vapor passes through but is silent when the liquid passes through the audible device. This audible device provides a back-up warning which signifies when liquid cryogen is flowing out of the tank so that the operator may shut off the valves.

Abstract: A system for transferring and conditioning a cryogenic liquid includes a replenishing tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a bulk tank and a pump positioned there between. The pump causes a stream of the cryogenic liquid to flow from the replenishing tank to the bulk storage tank. A heat exchanger and parallel by-pass line are positioned between the pump and bulk storage tank. A flow control valve diverts a portion of the stream to the heat exchanger so that it is warmed and rejoined with the remaining cryogenic liquid flowing through the flow control valve. The warmed stream then flows to the bulk storage tank. The flow control valve is adjusted based upon pressures within the bulk storage tank via a pressure line in communication with the head space of the bulk storage tank and a pneumatic controller or a pressure sensor in the bulk tank head space and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A cryogenic system that off-loads cryogenic liquid from a delivery vehicle and pumps the cryogenic liquid to a storage tank includes an interlock that enables the pneumatic valves which control the flow of the cryogen. The interlock includes a pneumatic relay, a pneumatic line and a pressure sensing line. The pneumatic line transfers pressurized air to the pneumatic relay while the pressure sensing line pressurizes the pneumatic relay when hoses from a delivery truck are connected to the system. The pneumatic relay includes a housing that defines a chamber with a piston having an arcuate passage located therein. When a hose from the delivery truck is connected to the system, the pressure sensing line detects a change in pressure and pressurizes the pneumatic relay. The pressure displaces the piston of the pneumatic relay which aligns the arcuate passage of the relay with the pneumatic valve to allow pressurized air to travel to the pneumatic valve thereby opening the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device tank from a bulk storage tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid features a pump in communication with the bulk storage tank, a dispensing line in communication with the pump and a heater in communication with the dispensing line. A system control device controls the operation of the pump and heater. A liquid level sensor and temperature or pressure sensor communicate with the use device tank and the system control device and the system control device. As a result, the conditions of the cryogenic liquid initially in the use device tank may be used by the system control device to calculate the appropriate amount of cryogenic liquid and heat that should be added to the cryogenic liquid as it is dispensed so that the use device tank becomes substantially filled with saturated cryogenic liquid. A liquid level sensor may alternatively be used as the sole use device tank sensor.

Abstract: An insulation system is described which includes a containment wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface at least in part defining a volume for containment of fluids or solids, an absorbent material which releases absorbed material when heated, the absorbent being in thermal contact with the outer surface of the containment wall, a structural wall contiguous to the outer surface of the containment wall, and an interior surface of the structural wall and the outer surface of the containment wall defining a volume of space where a vacuum can be maintained.