Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to a grillage of stiffeners and stringers, which in turn is adapted to transfer the local loads to an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.

Abstract: In a high-pressure tank 1 in which a gas discharge section 5 is extended from one end of a cylindrical section 2 through a dome section 4 by plastically deforming a short hollow cylindrical blank of metal, the gas discharge section 5 is set at a thickness at least three times that of the cylindrical section 2, and the dome section 4 is gradually increased in thickness from that of the cylindrical section 2 to that of the gas discharge section 5 in proceeding from the cylindrical section 2 to the gas discharge section 5. Thereby, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding higher pressures than used at the present time is provided easily and at low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation system, for cryopreserving a biopharmaceutical product that includes a cryopreservation compartment; a cryopreservation fluid located within the cryopreservation compartment; and a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial located within the cryopreservation compartment and surrounded by the cryopreservation fluid, and the biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial including a body that includes an oblong cross-section defining proximal and distal ends of the body, and at least one nucleating structure, coupled to a distal end of the body, and the body including a cryogenically stable material that is compatible with biopharmaceutical products. Also disclosed are cryopreservation vials and methods of cryopreserving biopharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for transportation of liquefiable petroleum gas (LPG) is cylindrical with a circular cross-sectional profile. The wall thickness of the vessel (in meters) multiplied by a design strength of the material from which the vessel is made (in megapascals) is less than 0.8 times the internal diameter of the vessel (in meters). The design strength is the yield strength divided by 1.5 or the tensile strength divided by 2.5. The wall thickness is between 3 mm and 11 mm. The diameter is between 1 and 2.6 m. The vessel have have an external insulating and fire resistant cladding. It may also have a cooling plant for cooling the LPG.

Abstract: A large, box-like polygonal tank for storing liquefied gas on land or on ground based structures (GBS) and a method of constructing the tank. The tank is comprised of an internal, truss-braced, rigid frame, having a cover on the frame for containing the stored liquid within the tank. The internal, truss-braced frame allows the interior of the tank to be contiguous throughout while compensating for the dynamic loads caused by the “sloshing” of stored liquid which, in turn, is due to the short excitation periods cause by seismic activity or the like.

Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to a grillage of stiffeners and stringers, which in turn is adapted to transfer the local loads to an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.

Abstract: A vessel for retaining cryogens in the form of a flexible liner for compliably retaining a cryogen and designed for controlled release of vapors generated by the cryogen. The improved flexible liner is biodegradable, with the incorporation of the biodegradable component within the resin being accomplished without adversely affecting the properties of the film at cryogenic temperatures. A preferred biodegradable film consists of a polyester comprising butane 1,4-diol and adipic acid to which a controlled quantity of terephthalic acid has been added.

Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.

Abstract: A tank for a cryogenic fluid, of the type comprising an inner vessel (2) intended to receive the cryogenic fluid and delimiting, with an outer vessel (8), a space (9) for the insertion of multilayer thermal insulation (7). The tank comprises multilayer thermal insulation (7) supporting the inner vessel (2) and an outer vessel (8) without a rigid connection to the inner vessel (2).

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering gaseous hydrogen to end users, the hydrogen being delivered in reusable storage tanks containing a plurality of carbon nanotubes. Liquid hydrogen is introduced into the tank, and the nanotubes absorb the hydrogen. The tanks are then warmed to normal temperatures and distributed to end users. The tanks are connected to the end-user system and are preferably installed within an air-tight enclosure, which may have an inert atmosphere. Alternatively, an inerting system monitors the air within the enclosure for free hydrogen and can release an inerting gas if free hydrogen is detected. The hydrogen is selectively released by heating the storage tank or by injecting a catalyst into the tank. When the usable hydrogen is depleted, the tank is retrieved from the end user for refurbishment and refilling.

Abstract: A densification and storage system for fluids is provided by multitudes of closely spaced parallel planes of adsorptive material (88) that is contained within a substantially impervious barrier layer (2). In normal pressure-containing embodiments, reinforcement (4) is wrapped upon the impervious barrier layer (2) to increase the burst strength of the assembly that results. In higher pressure containing embodiments, material (88) provides reinforcement of barrier layer (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation system, for cryopreserving a biopharmaceutical product that includes a cryopreservation compartment; a cryopreservation fluid located within the cryopreservation compartment; and a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial located within the cryopreservation compartment and surrounded by the cryopreservation fluid, and the biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial including a body that includes an oblong cross-section defining proximal and distal ends of the body, and at least one nucleating structure, coupled to a distal end of the body, and the body including a cryogenically stable material that is compatible with biopharmaceutical products. Also disclosed are cryopreservation vials and methods of cryopreserving biopharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the container's spatial orientation.

Abstract: A device for storing gas includes at least one container (1) for gas, of the high pressure type, that has an outlet conduit with which is associated a branch (5) ensuring a closeable calibrated loss. The gas is in gaseous phase in this container over a range of pressures extending from about 40 to 250 bars and preferably from 50 to 200 bars and over a range of temperatures extending from about 15° K to 210° K and preferably from 20° K to 200° K. The device includes a thermally insulating envelope (2) in which the container (1) is disposed.

Abstract: A storage tank, especially for liquefied gases, is separated into cells by numerous partitions of a material having low heat conductivity. The maximum diameter of the cells in a plane that is perpendicular to the partitions is less than 50 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation system, for cryopreserving a biopharmaceutical product that includes a cryopreservation compartment; a cryopreservation fluid located within the cryopreservation compartment; and a biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial located within the cryopreservation compartment and surrounded by the cryopreservation fluid, and the biopharmaceutical product cryopreservation vial including a body that includes an oblong cross-section defining proximal and distal ends of the body, and at least one nucleating structure, coupled to a distal end of the body, and the body including a cryogenically stable material that is compatible with biopharmaceutical products. Also disclosed are cryopreservation vials and methods of cryopreserving biopharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A cryostatic vessel is radially interconnected inside a tubular thermal shield. A shield first endplate includes a plurality of spacers which are disposed in axial abutment with a corresponding first endplate of the vessel during assembly. A shield second endplate is disposed in axial abutment against an opposite end of the shield, and includes alignment holes receiving corresponding alignment pins extending from an opposite endplate of the vessel. The spacers maintain a predetermined clearance between the endplates of the vessel and shield which clearance is precisely maintained upon fixedly joining both shield endplates to the shield.

Abstract: A pressure vessel insert comprises a plate having an outboard surface and an inboard surface interconnected by outer edge surfaces, and defining an aperture extending therethrough from the outboard surface to the inboard surface. The plate is provided with a modulus of elasticity within about 30% of a first modulus of elasticity of inboard and outboard skins of a wall portion of the pressure vessel shell around an opening in which the insert is disposed, in directions through the thickness of the skins.