Abstract: A method and system for forming a compressed gas and dispensing it to a compressed gas receiver. The compressed gas is formed from a process fluid provided at a cryogenic temperature. The forming includes pressurizing the process fluid, feeding the pressurized process fluid at still a cryogenic temperature to a heat exchanger and heating it in indirect heat exchange with a thermal fluid which is provided in a reservoir at a thermal fluid temperature above the cryogenic temperature of the pressurized process fluid. Once heated to a suitable temperature the compressed gas may be dispensed to the compressed gas receiver or stored in one or more compressed gas storage vessels for later use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated hydrogen fueling station for fueling of vehicle tanks with hydrogen characterized in that it comprises an electrochemical compressing unit in which secondary hydrogen originating from leakage, boiling-off or venting of hydrogen-containing gas in one or more of the fueling station's operative units is compressed wherein the secondary hydrogen contains hydrogen and further gaseous components, and to a method for operating such a hydrogen fueling station.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a compressed gas and dispensing it to a compressed gas receiver. The compressed gas is formed from a process fluid provided at a cryogenic temperature. The forming includes pressurizing the process fluid, feeding the pressurized process fluid at still a cryogenic temperature to a heat exchanger and heating it in indirect heat exchange with a thermal fluid which is provided in a reservoir at a thermal fluid temperature above the cryogenic temperature of the pressurized process fluid. Once heated to a suitable temperature the compressed gas may be dispensed to the compressed gas receiver or stored in one or more compressed gas storage vessels for later use.

Abstract: Compressed gas dispensing methods using cascade dispensing from a first plurality of storage vessels and a second plurality of storage vessels. A compressor is used to provide very high pressure compressed gas for the second plurality of pressure storage vessels. Various methods are described for different sources of the compressed gas. The methods are particularly suitable for dispensing hydrogen into storage vessels in vehicles.

Abstract: Compressed gas dispensing methods using cascade dispensing from a first plurality of storage vessels and a second plurality of storage vessels. A compressor is used to provide very high pressure compressed gas for the second plurality of pressure storage vessels. Various methods are described for different sources of the compressed gas. The methods are particularly suitable for dispensing hydrogen into storage vessels in vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compressing a cryogenic fluid using a multi-stage compressor. Coolant in a first coolant loop cools cooling jackets of the compression stages and/or inter-stage heat exchangers and warms a pre-compression heat exchanger. The temperature of the coolant in the first heat exchanger is moderated by ambient-air heat exchange. The process fluid is electively cooled by one of the interstage heat exchangers after each of the compression stage if the temperature of the process fluid is above a temperature criterion. This enables the system to operate through a transient period (cool down period) without venting process fluid. The interstage heat exchangers are preferably bypassed when the system reaches steady-state operating temperature.

Abstract: A leak test apparatus for leak testing a tank including a gas supply system configured to provide to the tank a leak detection gas mixture including hydrogen, a test chamber having a cavity for sealably enclosing the tank such that dead space exists outside the tank and within the cavity, and a gas conduit configured to interconnect the gas supply system and the tank, a control system including a controller programmed to pressurize the tank with the leak detection mixture by flowing gas from the gas supply system through the gas conduit, and a leak detector to determine the presence or absence of a leak in the tank by measuring a concentration of hydrogen in the dead space.

Abstract: A method for dispensing gas within a target temperature range wherein the gas exchanges heat with multiple thermal capacitors to cool the gas.

Abstract: A method for dispensing gas within a target temperature range wherein the gas exchanges heat with multiple thermal capacitors to cool the gas.

Abstract: Method for dispensing a compressed gas using at least three dispensing protocols, the selected dispensing protocol depending on the time-averaged dispensing rate. Compressed gas is passed from a plurality of supply vessels, for example a tube trailer, to a plurality of storage vessels, and dispensed from the plurality of storage vessels to a plurality of receiving vessels. The supply vessel providing the compressed gas depends on the compressed gas pressure in the supply vessel and the anticipated time-averaged dispensing rate for the time period.

Abstract: A method for dispensing compressed gas from two or more compressed gas storage volumes to receiving vessel such as vehicle fuel tanks. Control instructions are provided to cycle the compressed gas storage volumes through pressure cycles in a rolling rotating cascading manner such that each of the compressed gas storage volumes cycle from an upper pressure limit to a lower pressure limit.

Abstract: Method for dispensing a compressed gas using at least three dispensing protocols, the selected dispensing protocol depending on the time-averaged dispensing rate. Compressed gas is passed from a plurality of supply vessels, for example a tube trailer, to a plurality of storage vessels, and dispensed from the plurality of storage vessels to a plurality of receiving vessels. The supply vessel providing the compressed gas depends on the compressed gas pressure in the supply vessel and the anticipated time-averaged dispensing rate for the time period.

Abstract: A method for dispensing gas within a target temperature range wherein the gas exchanges heat with multiple thermal capacitors to cool the gas.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a compressed gas for reducing the amount of residual gas in dispensing station storage vessels before refilling is required. The method comprises transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a first series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from a first mobile storage device and subsequently from a second mobile storage device, transporting the first mobile storage device to a refilling station after the first mobile storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level, refilling the first mobile storage device at the refilling station, and transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a second series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from the second mobile storage device and one or more of the first mobile storage device after refilling and a third mobile storage device.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for filling a vessel with compressed gas is disclosed. Gas is compressed into the vessel at a predetermined flow rate using a variable speed pump or compressor. The flow rate is adjusted to increase the gas pressure at a predetermined rate of change. The flow rate is adjusted based upon the instantaneous value of a measured parameter such as gas temperature or pressure or ambient temperature. The parameter is measured by a transducer and the value is fed back to a controller which adjusts the speed of the compressor or pump to produce the flow rate needed to achieve the predetermined pressure rate of change.

Abstract: A method for dispensing compressed gas from two or more compressed gas storage volumes to receiving vessel such as vehicle fuel tanks. Control instructions are provided to cycle the compressed gas storage volumes through pressure cycles in a rolling rotating cascading manner such that each of the compressed gas storage volumes cycle from an upper pressure limit to a lower pressure limit.

Abstract: Method for dispensing a gas comprising (a) providing a gas storage system containing pressurized gas and having at least first and second gas storage volumes, first and second flow control valves in flow communication with the first and second gas storage volumes, respectively, wherein each flow control valve is initially closed, and wherein the first gas storage volume has a smaller volumetric capacity than the second gas storage volume; (b) selecting a reference temperature; (c) measuring the ambient temperature; (d) providing a gas receiving vessel and placing it in flow communication with each flow control valve and with the gas storage system; and (e) initiating delivery of the gas by (i) opening the first flow control valve when the ambient temperature is equal to or greater than the reference temperature or (ii) opening the second flow control valve when the ambient temperature is less than the reference temperature.

Abstract: Method for dispensing a gas comprising (a) providing a gas storage system containing pressurized gas and having at least first and second gas storage volumes, first and second flow control valves in flow communication with the first and second gas storage volumes, respectively, wherein each flow control valve is initially closed, and wherein the first gas storage volume has a smaller volumetric capacity than the second gas storage volume; (b) selecting a reference temperature; (c) measuring the ambient temperature; (d) providing a gas receiving vessel and placing it in flow communication with each flow control valve and with the gas storage system; and (e) initiating delivery of the gas by (i) opening the first flow control valve when the ambient temperature is equal to or greater than the reference temperature or (ii) opening the second flow control valve when the ambient temperature is less than the reference temperature.

Abstract: Method for dispensing a gas comprising (a) providing a gas storage system containing pressurized gas and having at least first and second gas storage volumes, first and second flow control valves in flow communication with the first and second gas storage volumes, respectively, wherein each flow control valve is initially closed, and wherein the first gas storage volume has a smaller volumetric capacity than the second gas storage volume; (b) selecting a reference temperature; (c) measuring the ambient temperature; (d) providing a gas receiving vessel and placing it in flow communication with each flow control valve and with the gas storage system; and (e) initiating delivery of the gas by (i) opening the first flow control valve when the ambient temperature is equal to or greater than the reference temperature or (ii) opening the second flow control valve when the ambient temperature is less than the reference temperature.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a compressed gas for reducing the amount of residual gas in dispensing station storage vessels before refilling is required. The method comprises transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a first series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from a first mobile storage device and subsequently from a second mobile storage device, transporting the first mobile storage device to a refilling station after the first mobile storage device has been depleted to a selected depletion level, refilling the first mobile storage device at the refilling station, and transferring compressed gas into receiving vessels in a second series of fill-ups where each of the receiving vessels receive compressed gas from the second mobile storage device and one or more of the first mobile storage device after refilling and a third mobile storage device.