Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehydrating natural gas while filling a compressed natural gas storage vessel are provided. The natural gas is dehydrated through a process of compression, followed by expansion for cooling, and freezing or condensation of water from the cooled gas onto the surface of a moisture collecting material. The invention provides dehydrated compressed natural gas which can be used to supply natural gas vehicle filling stations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for completely filling a fuel receiving tank with compressed natural gas under fast-fill conditions are provided. To achieve this, the methods and apparatus provide for supplying cool compressed natural gas to a fuel tank and methods and apparatus for drying the compressed natural gas to prevent the risk of water condensation, corrosion and icing up of equipment. Further, the delivery of dried compressed natural gas to the receiving fuel tank is carried out under conditions that expand the gas into the receiving tank thereby enabling complete filling of the tank. In another aspect, the methods and apparatus utilize a second independent compressor of lower horsepower, or an evacuator cylinder of a primary compressor, for circulating and cooling compressed natural gas into the storage tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that conserves energy in the filling of a storage tank with natural gas and dispensing natural gas from the storage tank to receiving tanks. The invention permits the refueling of gas receiving tanks at a fueling rate comparable to that achieved with liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The apparatus includes the use of at least two compressors: a first compressor and a second compressor, in series with and drawing less horsepower than the first, for compressing natural gas into a storage tank up to a certain pressure level that fills the tank. Upon demand for gas from the storage tank, the second compressor alone may be used to withdraw gas from the storage tank and supply gas at a fueling rate to a receiving tank. When pressure in the storage tank drops to below a predetermined pressure level, the first compressor is brought on line to replenish gas in the storage tank to maintain the fueling rate through the second compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly filling fuel tanks with natural gas from a large pressurized storage vessel utilizing a compressor having a cylinder dedicated to removal of natural gas from the storage vessel and supplying it to the fuel tanks while other compressor cylinders at least partially replenish the removed natural gas by charging compressed gas to the storage vessel. The gas removal cylinder and other cylinders are connected to a common drive shaft driven by a single motor. The apparatus and method provide for rapid fueling of large numbers of vehicles using natural gas while significantly reducing capital investment requirements.

Abstract: A pneumatic well tool for fracturing or enlarging perforations in a subsurface formation so that the petroleum in the formation more freely flows. The tool takes the form of an elongate tool body or sonde which is lowered by a wireline into the well bore to a desired depth adjacent the formation of interest. A fluid chamber in the sonde in fluid communication with the fluid in the well bore is filled with a quantity of well bore fluid. Periodically, a pneumatic pressure source in the sonde exerts pressure on the fluid chamber to force fluid from the chamber into the well bore, thus creating a sudden pressure surge which increases the ability of fluid to flow from the perforated formation.