Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided herein to produce solid CO.sub.2 from liquid CO.sub.2 wherein the solid CO.sub.2 may be adjusted for level of agglomeration and can be continuously delivered through a snow horn in a horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation. The invention finds particular use in confined spaces such as between a freezer infeed conveyor and the freezer conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a relatively low pressure and temperature; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, said vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.

Abstract: A method and system acts to cool matter through the use of a carbon dioxide snow/vapor flow. The matter is supported in juxtaposition to an outlet for the carbon dioxide snow/vapor and a conductor which exhibits a reference potential state. To perform the method, a flow of liquid carbon dioxide is subjected to a pressure expansion to create a flow of carbon dioxide snow and vapor. The carbon dioxide snow and vapor then come into contact with a conductive surface and achieves a charge as a result of frictional engagement with the conductive surface. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide snow/vapor is directed towards the matter to be cooled and the conductor which exhibits a reference potential. The reference potential state attracts the carbon dioxide snow and aids in contact thereof on the matter being cooled.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, the vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.

Abstract: A flexible, non-water absorbing insulation system is described for insulating articles exposed to relatively cold temperatures. This insulation system is especially adapted for insulating delivery or transfer hoses used with cryogenic liquid transfer operations. The insulating material is a thermoplastic sheet-like layer having gas-filled cells to which is attached or bonded to a metallized thermoplastic film. In one embodiment, the metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to the smooth side of the thermoplastic sheet-like material. In another embodiment, metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to both sides of the cell-containing thermoplastic material. The sheet-like insulating material is wrapped at least twice around the hose or article to be insulated. Slits may be cut in the insulating material to make the hose self draining whereby any condensed water can gravity drain once the temperature is above the freezing point of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning cryogenic fuel includes providing a primary storage tank for liquefied cryogenic fuel, a vapor storage tank communicating with the primary storage tank for storing vapor withdrawn from the primary storage tank at a higher pressure than the pressure in the primary storage tank, and a conditioning system wherein heat is transferred to the colder, lower equilibrium pressure liquefied cryogenic fuel withdrawn from the primary storage tank. The conditioning system includes a heat exchanger system for transferring heat to the liquefied cryogenic fuel from vapor withdrawn from the vapor storage tank. The vapor is cooled to near saturation temperature in the heat exchanger and is then sparged into liquefied cryogenic fuel flowing through a sparger or mixer chamber disposed downstream of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A flexible, non-water absorbing insulation system is described for insulating articles exposed to relatively cold temperatures. This insulation system is especially adapted for insulating delivery or transfer hoses used with cryogenic liquid transfer operations. The insulating material is a thermoplastic sheet-like layer having gas-filled cells to which is attached or bonded to a metallized thermoplastic film. In one embodiment, the metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to the smooth side of the thermoplastic sheet-like material. In another embodiment, metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to both sides of the cell-containing thermoplastic material. The sheet-like insulating material is wrapped at least twice around the hose or article to be insulated. Slits may be cut in the insulating material to make the hose self draining whereby any condensed water can gravity drain once the temperature is above the freezing point of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing solid carbon dioxide snow blocks comprising a mold having a plurality of separate mold cavities, and a liquid CO.sub.2 manifold providing one or more injection nozzles in each of the mold cavities. A vent/vapor heat exchange with incoming liquid may be employed to improve liquid-to-snow conversion rate. The manifold may take a pressure drop turn at each branch to assure that each nozzle receives an adequate supply of liquid CO.sub.2. Each nozzle may have multiple orifices to assure that the snow is dispersed relatively evenly in each mold cavity. Each of the orifices may be located on a relative high point relative to the manifold to facilitate clearance of dry ice blockages in the manifold. A timer may be used to regulate injection. As an alternative or as a backup, fullness of one or more mold cavities may be detected by a sensor, and means may be provided to discontinue injection when one or more mold cavities have been filled.

Abstract: Fluid transfer apparatus comprising a fluid reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir by a supply line, wherein the apparatus is configured so that vapor generated in the pump during periods of inoperation may escape from the pump cavity through the pump inlet, rather than being trapped in the pump cavity, and liquid may flow into the pump cavity from the supply line through the pump inlet to replace escaping vapor, thereby providing reliable pump start-up during intermittent operation. The apparatus may be employed to pump LNG for fueling of vehicles. Where LNG or another cryogenic fluid is being pumped, the pump is preferably driven by a motor located above the pump and connected thereto by an elongated shaft. Shaft seals may be provided to prevent the fluid being pumped from contacting the motor or the bearings supporting the motor shaft. A vapor trap may be provided beneath the shaft seals to prevent contact between liquid being pumped and the shaft seals.

Abstract: Fluid transfer apparatus comprising a fluid reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir by a supply line, wherein the apparatus is configured so that vapor generated in the pump during periods of inoperation may escape from the pump cavity through the pump inlet, rather than being trapped in the pump cavity, and liquid may flow into the pump cavity from the supply line through the pump inlet to replace escaping vapor, thereby providing reliable pump start-up during intermittent operation. The apparatus may be employed to pump LNG for fueling of vehicles. Where LNG or another cryogenic fluid is being pumped, the pump is preferably driven by a motor located above the pump and connected thereto by an elongated shaft. Shaft seals may be provided to prevent the fluid being pumped from contacting the motor or the bearings supporting the motor shaft. A vapor trap may be provided beneath the shaft seals to prevent contact between liquid being pumped and the shaft seals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for purifying natural gas to provide a liquified natural gas product which is substantially pure methane. In the process, a natural gas feed stream is introduced into indirect countercurrent heat exchange in a first heat exchanger to cool the natural gas to below the dew point of ethane and higher hydrocarbons so as to separate the feed stream into a gas which is substantially pure methane and liquid which contains the ethane and higher hydrocarbons. The liquid/gas mixture is transferred to a separator where the gas occupies the head space of the separator and the liquid occupies the bottom of the separator. A gas fraction is removed from the top of the separator and is introduced into countercurrent heat exchange with liquid nitrogen in a second heat exchanger so as to liquefy the substantially pure methane gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coupling assembly for dispensing cryogenic fluids, The coupling assembly includes an upstream terminus coupled to a source of cryogenic fluid and a downstream terminus connected to a container for receiving the cryogenic fluid. A poppet valve assembly is disposed at the upstream dispensing terminus. This poppet valve assembly is mechanically operated to be opened and closed. A second poppet valve assembly has a downstream terminus which is coupled to a receiving tank for the cryogenic fluid and an upstream terminus for coupling with the first poppet valve assembly. The second poppet valve assembly is opened and closed through overcoming the pressure of a spring by the pressure of the cryogenic fluid being transferred and the release of the cryogenic fluid pressure, A threaded wheel mounted on the first poppet valve assembly mates with a threaded portion on the second poppet valve assembly to connect and disconnect the two parts of the coupling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for increasing the methane content of liquid natural gas to provide an essentially pure liquid methane product. In the process, a liquid natural gas feed stream is introduced into a first heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange with a purified methane vapor stream so as to liquify the purified methane vapor stream and to provide a purified liquid methane product. The heat exchange results in increasing the temperature of the liquid natural gas feed stream to a temperature just below the dew point of the liquid natural gas feed stream so as to partially vaporize the liquid natural gas feed stream to provide a mixture of a major amount of substantially pure methane vapor and a minor amount of liquid containing methane and higher hydrocarbons. The mixture of vapor and liquid from the first heat exchanger is transferred to a low pressure separator to provide a liquid bottom fraction and a purified methane top vapor fraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to automatically produce blocks of solid CO.sub.2 at low pressure. The apparatus includes at least one closed mold coupled to a liquid CO.sub.2 conditioner and a CO.sub.2 gas recovery system, and a control panel for automatic operation. The method consists in supplying liquid CO.sub.2 to this mold at a low pressure in order to fill the mold with CO.sub.2 snow of low density during a definite period of time, to then raise the pressure inside the mold to an intermediate pressure by supplying liquid CO.sub.2 at this pressure (and at a temperature of approximately -40.degree. C.) to form a dense mass of solid CO.sub.2 which after a definite time will block the admission of CO.sub.2 to the mold, causing a significant pressure drop that is used to create a signal to automatically close off the supply of liquid CO.sub.2 and finalize the production cycle of the block.

Abstract: A food freezer having a thermally insulated enclosure and an endless conveyor having a loading section, a food freezing section and an unloading section. Blowers circulate gas throughout the interior of the enclosure, and devices for injecting liquid CO.sub.2 to preferably cause CO.sub.2 snow particles to impinge upon the food products on the belt are located at selected positions about the belt and may be at various vertical levels, some of which are preferably at least slightly above the belt. By piping the liquid CO.sub.2 so that it flows only upward and/or horizontally toward the spray nozzles within the thermally insulated enclosure, any solid CO.sub.2 that may accumulate adjacent the upstream side of the spray nozzle orifices is melted by CO.sub.2 vapor which gravitates upward in the vertical piping.

Abstract: A food freezer having a thermally insulated enclosure wherein an endless conveyor having a lower loading section, a main helical section and an uppermost unloading section is primarily driven by engagement between its inner edge and the sidewall of a rotatable center cage, which includes a plurality of uniformly spaced apart vertical bars. The lower end of the center cage can be blocked, and a centrifugal blower is axially located at the upper end of the cage to suck gas from the interior of the cage and discharge it horizontally outward along the undersurface of the top wall so that it flows outward, then downward and, finally, radially inward in an overall generally toroidal pattern through the tiers of the helical belt section where it withdraws heat from the freezes the food products being carried therealong. Various arrangements, e.g.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering high pressure, subcooled liquid carbon dioxide. An insulated tank having a height greater than its internal diameter holds liquid CO.sub.2 to a depth of at least about 6 feet, and high pressure, subcooled liquid CO.sub.2 is delivered from a lower outlet of the tank. CO.sub.2 vapor is condensed in the upper region to maintain a desired high pressure, e.g., about 290-310 psi., at the top of the tank. By withdrawing liquid CO.sub.2 from an upper region in the tank, subcooling it by heat exchange and returning subcooled liquid CO.sub.2 to a lower region, a thermocline region is created at least 2 feet below the surface, and above which equilibrium high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 exists. Heat exchange is efficiently carried out during off hours using liquid carbon dioxide to chill the condensed refrigerant from an existing auxiliary mechanical refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A cabinet cooler or freezer which efficiently utilizes cryogenic refrigeration either with or without mechanical refrigeration. The freezer intermittently freezes relatively large batches of food by efficiently utilizing the natural expansion effect of a liquid cryogen, in combination with mechanical circulation by blowers, to create an overall circulation that efficiently removes heat from the food. A secondary circulation effect is induced, in a manner similar to the operation of a jet pump, which amplifies the circulation and allows CO.sub.2 to be employed as the cryogen with modulating valve control to achieve uniformly low temperature throughout the cabinet without snow build-up on the cabinet bottom. Some cabinet versions create a cyclonic circulation pattern about a vertical axis that is particularly effective.

Abstract: A cabinet cooler or freezer which efficiently utilizes cryogenic refrigeration either with or without mechanical refrigeration. The freezer intermittently freezes relatively large batches of food by efficiently utilizing the natural expansion effect of a liquid cryogen, in combination with mechanical circulation by blowers, to create an overall circulation that efficiently removes heat from the food. A secondary circulation effect is induced, in a manner similar to the operation of a jet pump, which amplifies the circulation and allows CO.sub.2 to be employed with modulating valve control to achieve uniformly low temperature throughout the cabinet without snow build-up on the cabinet bottom. Some cabinet versions create a cyclonic circulation pattern about a vertical axis that is particularly effective.