Abstract: A probe assembly for determining a saturation pressure of a liquid includes a manifold having at internal passage and an elongated bulb defining a chamber and having a distal tip portion and a proximal portion. The bulb is secured to the manifold at the proximal end portion with the chamber in fluid communication with the internal passage. A charging port is selectively in fluid communication with the internal passage of the manifold. A pressure transmitter is configured to detect a pressure within the chamber of the elongated bulb.

Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

Abstract: A vaporizer system includes a defrosting function along with the ability to convert liquefied gas to a use gas. The vaporizer system includes first and second vaporizers and piping that transfers fluid from an inlet port to an outlet port with a portion of the piping being between the first and second vaporizer. The system also includes a trim heater and a number of valves for regulating flow of the fluid through the transfer piping. The valves may be placed in a first configuration where vapor from the first vaporizer is heated and directed to the second vaporizer so that the second vaporizer is defrosted and a second configuration where vapor from the second vaporizer is heated and directed to the first vaporizer so that the first vaporizer is defrosted.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk storage tank configured to contain a supply of the cryogenic fluid. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the headspace of at least one intermediate fluid tank, which contains an intermediate fluid, and is configured to receive and warm a cryogenic fluid from the bulk storage tank via heat exchange with intermediate fluid vapor in the headspace. A buffer tank receives fluid from the heat exchanger coil. A chiller coil is positioned within the intermediate fluid tank and is submerged within intermediate fluid liquid contained within the at least one intermediate fluid tank. The chiller coil receives fluid from the buffer tank and cools it via heat exchange with intermediate fluid liquid within which the chiller coil is submerged for dispensing.

Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk storage tank configured to contain a supply of the cryogenic fluid. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the headspace of at least one intermediate fluid tank, which contains an intermediate fluid, and is configured to receive and warm a cryogenic fluid from the bulk storage tank via heat exchange with intermediate fluid vapor in the headspace. A buffer tank receives fluid from the heat exchanger coil. A chiller coil is positioned within the intermediate fluid tank and is submerged within intermediate fluid liquid contained within the at least one intermediate fluid tank. The chiller coil receives fluid from the buffer tank and cools it via heat exchange with intermediate fluid liquid within which the chiller coil is submerged for dispensing.

Abstract: Cooling of a meter by liquid flowing in a flow that is reverse from dispensing flow is described. A plurality of tubes is configured to transport a plurality of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid. Dispense valves attached to corresponding tubes are configured to open when the first fluid is dispensed from a pump to a first outlet. Recirculation valves attached to respective tubes are configured to open when the second fluid is transported from the pump to a second outlet. A meter attached to a tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to measure properties of a fluid when the fluid flows through the tube, wherein the fluid is one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The meter is configured to sense reverse flow when the second fluid flows from the outlet section to the inlet section.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing subcooled CO2 liquid includes a vacuum insulated bulk tank containing a supply of the liquid CO2. A pressure builder having an inlet in communication with a bottom portion of the bulk tank and an outlet in communication with a top portion of the bulk tank vaporizes liquid from the bulk tank and delivers the resulting gas to the top portion of the tank so as to pressurize it. A baffle is positioned within the bulk tank. Below the baffle, a refrigeration system is connected to the heat exchanger coil so that a refrigerant fluid is supplied to and received from the heat exchanger coil so that the liquid below the baffle is subcooled and the liquid above the baffle is stratified. A liquid fill line is in communication with the interior of the bulk tank via a fill line opening that is positioned above the baffle. A liquid feed line is in communication with a bottom portion of the interior of the bulk tank so that subcooled liquid may be dispensed.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use point includes a bulk tank containing a supply of carbon dioxide or other cryogenic liquid and a pressure builder that is in communication with the tank via a pressure building valve. The pressure builder uses heat exchangers to vaporize a portion of the cryogenic liquid as needed to pressurize the bulk tank. The pressurized cryogenic liquid is dispensed through a dispensing line running from the bottom of the tank. A vent valve also vents vapor from the tank to control pressure. Operation of the vent and pressure building valves is automated by a controller that receives data from sensors. The controller determines the required saturation pressure for the tank and varies the tank pressure to match and provide a generally constant outlet pressure depending on conditions of the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: Cooling of a meter by liquid flowing in a flow that is reverse from dispensing flow is described. A plurality of tubes is configured to transport a plurality of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid. Dispense valves attached to corresponding tubes are configured to open when the first fluid is dispensed from a pump to a first outlet. Recirculation valves attached to respective tubes are configured to open when the second fluid is transported from the pump to a second outlet. A meter attached to a tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to measure properties of a fluid when the fluid flows through the tube, wherein the fluid is one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The meter is configured to sense reverse flow when the second fluid flows from the outlet section to the inlet section.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use point includes a bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid and a pressure builder that is in communication with the tank via a pressure building valve. The pressure builder uses heat exchangers to vaporize a portion of the cryogenic liquid as needed to pressurize the bulk tank. The pressurized cryogenic liquid is dispensed through a dispensing line running from the bottom of the tank. A vent valve also vents vapor from the tank to control pressure. Operation of the vent and pressure building valves is automated by a controller that receives data from sensors. The controller determines the required saturation pressure for the tank and varies the tank pressure to match and provide a generally constant outlet pressure depending on conditions of the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing subcooled CO2 liquid includes a vacuum insulated bulk tank containing a supply of the liquid CO2. A pressure builder having an inlet in communication with a bottom portion of the bulk tank and an outlet in communication with a top portion of the bulk tank vaporizes liquid from the bulk tank and delivers the resulting gas to the top portion of the tank so as to pressurize it. A baffle is positioned within the bulk tank. Below the baffle, a refrigeration system is connected to the heat exchanger coil so that a refrigerant fluid is supplied to and received from the heat exchanger coil so that the liquid below the baffle is subcooled and the liquid above the baffle is stratified. A liquid fill line is in communication with the interior of the bulk tank via a fill line opening that is positioned above the baffle. A liquid feed line is in communication with a bottom portion of the interior of the bulk tank so that subcooled liquid may be dispensed.

Abstract: A mobile system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use point includes a low pressure bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid and a high pressure sump in communication with the bulk tank so as to receive cryogenic liquid therefrom. A heat exchanger is in communication with the sump and selectively receives and vaporizes a portion of cryogenic liquid from the sump. The resulting vapor is directed to the sump so as to increase the pressure therein. A pressure builder is in circuit between the sump and the bulk tank. The pressurized cryogenic liquid may be dispensed from the sump via a dispensing hose or directed to the pressure builder so as to pressurize the bulk tank. If the latter is selected, pressurized cryogenic liquid is dispensed from the bulk tank via a second dispensing hose. Operation of the system valves is automated by a controller.

Abstract: A mobile system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use point includes a low pressure bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid and a high pressure sump in communication with the bulk tank so as to receive cryogenic liquid therefrom. A check valve is in circuit between the bulk tank and the sump. A heat exchanger is in communication with the sump and selectively receives and vaporizes a portion of cryogenic liquid from the sump when the sump is full as detected by a liquid level sensor. The resulting vapor is directed to the sump so as to increase the pressure therein. The check valve closes when the pressure building within the sump is initiated. The pressurized cryogenic liquid is dispensed from the sump via a dispensing hose. Operation of the system valves is automated by a controller.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.