Abstract: Bulk storage of natural gas or methane is facilitated by absorbing and storing the gas in a liquefied medium through the interaction of moderate pressure, low temperature and a solvent medium. Systems and processes are provided that facilitate the absorption of natural gas or methane into a liquid or liquid vapor medium for storage and transport, and back into a gas for delivery to market. In a preferred embodiment, the absorptive properties of ethane, propane and butane under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure (associated with a novel mixing process) are utilized to store natural gas or methane at more efficient levels of compressed volume ratio than are attainable with natural gas alone under similar holding conditions. The preferred mixing process efficiently combines natural gas or methane with a solvent medium such as liquid ethane, propane, butane, or other suitable fluid, to form a concentrated liquid or liquid vapor mixture suited for storage and transport.

Abstract: Systems and methods to create and store a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in light-hydrocarbon solvents under temperatures and pressures that facilitate improved volumetric ratios of the stored natural gas as compared to CNG and PLNG at the same temperatures and pressures of less than ?80° to about ?120° F. and about 300 psig to about 900 psig. Preferred solvents include ethane, propane and butane, and natural gas liquid (NGL) and liquid pressurized gas (LPG) solvents. Systems and methods for receiving raw production or semi-conditioned natural gas, conditioning the gas, producing a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in a light-hydrocarbon solvent, and transporting the mix to a market where pipeline quality gas or fractionated products are delivered in a manner utilizing less energy than CNG, PLNG or LNG systems with better cargo-mass to containment-mass ratio for the natural gas component than CNG systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for filtering communications channels in a telecommunications satellite to remove large unwanted interfering signals, which includes monitoring channels of an uplink signal by stepping across a channel with a first analog agile filter having a narrow bandwidth in relation to the channel, and at each step monitoring the signal within the channel step, in order to determine the presence of interfering signals, and configuring a second analog agile filter having an adjustable band stop function to block the interfering signals. The uplink signal has first and second signal paths for the uplink signal, and the method includes demultiplexing the channels of the uplink signal onto separate lines in the first path, carrying out the band stop function within the second signal path, and replacing with the remaining filtered part of the channel, by a switching operation, the demultiplexed version of the channel.

Abstract: A variable bandwidth filter for use in filtering signal channels in a telecommunication satellite between uplink and downlink beams, and having a reduced amount of phase noise, includes a first mixer for translating the frequency of an input signal by a first predetermined frequency value, a first filter for defining one edge of the variable bandwidth, a second mixer for translating the frequency of the input signal by a second predetermined frequency value, a second filter for defining another edge of the variable bandwidth, and further mixer for translating the frequency of the input signal by a further predetermined frequency value, and wherein first and second local oscillator frequencies are applied to the first mixer, the second mixer and the further mixer such that each frequency translation of the input signal in one direction has a counterpart translation of corresponding value in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Bulk storage of natural gas or methane is facilitated by absorbing and storing the gas in a liquefied medium through the interaction of moderate pressure, low temperature and a solvent medium. Systems and processes are provided that facilitate the absorption of natural gas or methane into a liquid or liquid vapor medium for storage and transport, and back into a gas for delivery to market. In a preferred embodiment, the absorptive properties of ethane, propane and butane under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure (associated with a novel mixing process) are utilized to store natural gas or methane at more efficient levels of compressed volume ratio than are attainable with natural gas alone under similar holding conditions. The preferred mixing process efficiently combines natural gas or methane with a solvent medium such as liquid ethane, propane, butane, or other suitable fluid, to form a concentrated liquid or liquid vapor mixture suited for storage and transport.

Abstract: This invention provides a means of loading, processing and conditioning raw production gas, production of CGL, storage, transport, and delivery of pipeline quality natural gas or fractionated products to market. The CGL transport vessel utilizes a pipe based containment system to hold more densely packed constituents of natural gas held within a light hydrocarbon solvent than it is possible to attain for natural gas alone under such conditions. The containment system is supported by process systems for loading and transporting the natural gas as a liquid and unloading the CGL from the containment system and then offloading it in the gaseous state. The system can also be utilized for the selective storage and transport of NGLs to provide a total service package for the movement of natural gas and associated gas production. The mode of storage is suited for both marine and land transportation and configured in modular form to suit a particular application and/or scale of operation.

Abstract: Systems and processes that facilitate the absorption of natural gas or methane through the interaction of moderate pressure and low temperature into a liquid or liquid vapor medium for storage and transport, and back into a gas for delivery to market. In a preferred embodiment, the absorptive properties of ethane, propane and butane under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure (associated with a novel mixing process) are utilized to store natural gas or methane at more efficient levels of compressed volume ratio than are attainable with natural gas alone under similar holding conditions. The preferred mixing process efficiently combines natural gas or methane with a solvent medium such as liquid ethane, propane, butane, or other suitable fluid, to form a concentrated liquid or liquid vapor mixture suited for storage and transport. The solvent medium is preferably recycled in the conveyance vessel on unloading of the natural gas.

Abstract: Frameworks and methods for executing large-scale build and operate programs, such as sporting events, and particularly an Olympic Games. A framework of interlinked build, operate, and management processes is formed in accordance with the program requirements, which are specified in terms of deliverable products or service levels. Links between individual processes can only be traversed when exit criteria are satisfied. Methodologies are described that can be used to determine the exit criteria. Once a framework is established, a schedule control plan, by way of significant milestones, is determined. The milestones are chosen to correspond with links between processes that span process streams or project teams.

Abstract: A multi-vessel gas storage system and liquid displacement shuttle system that utilizes a liquid-piston shuttled to alternate reservoirs and tank banks to evacuate stored gas or other fluids from storage vessels. Preferably, the gas storage and fluid displacement shuttle system includes multiple pressure storage vessels or tanks arranged in tank banks that are preferably coupled in parallel at one end to a high pressure gas manifold to exhaust the stored gas or other fluids from the vessels and coupled in parallel at another end to separate fluid shuttle circuits. The fluid shuttle circuits include cross-piped fluid fill and drain manifolds that are fluidly linked through interposing reservoirs and pumps. In operation, the stored gas or other fluids are evacuated from the storage vessels by shuttling the volume of displacement liquid between alternating banks of storage tanks and reservoirs with alternating pumps.

Abstract: Providing access to a map via a communication network may include providing multiple images including satellite images, aerial photographs, rasterized maps, or any combination of satellite images, aerial photographs, and rasterized maps. The images may be configured to allow the user to zoom in from a large geographical area on the map to a smaller geographical area on the map. At least one data overlay, for example, showing current or near current real estate information, may be displayable on the interactive map. Information relating to use, display, or access of the provided maps may be collected, such as contact information for at least one user of the map and information associated with at least one item or area from the map that is of interest to the user. Based on the collected information, a lead or set of leads may be established for use by at least one service provider, such as a provider of real estate services or associated services.

Abstract: Providing interactive map information may include providing access to an interactive aerial map via a communication network. The interactive map may comprise multiple images including satellite images, aerial photographs, rasterized vector maps, or any combination of satellite images, aerial photographs, and rasterized vector maps. The multiple images may be configured to allow users to zoom from a large geographical area on the map to a smaller geographical area on the map. The interactive map may also comprise at least one data overlay that includes indications of commercial points of interest. An advertisement fee may be charged in association with providing the data overlay. In addition or as an alternative to providing the overlay including indications of commercial points of interest, an overlay relating to real estate may be provided. This overlay may include segments shaded using gradations of shading, which provide statistical or quantitative meaning.

Abstract: Providing access to a map via a communication network may include providing multiple map images. The images may be configured (e.g., using map tiles and mathematical projections) to allow the user to zoom in from a large geographical area on the map to a smaller geographical area on the map. At least one data overlay showing information about points of interest may be displayable on the map. Information relating to use of the provided maps may be collected, such as contact information for at least one user of the map and information associated with at least one item or area from the map that is of interest to the user. Based on the collected information, a lead or set of leads may be established for use by at least one provider of products or services.

Abstract: A multi-vessel gas storage system and liquid displacement shuttle system that utilizes a liquid-piston shuttled to alternate reservoirs and tank banks to evacuate stored gas or other fluids from storage vessels. Preferably, the gas storage and fluid displacement shuttle system includes multiple pressure storage vessels or tanks arranged in tank banks that are preferably coupled in parallel at one end to a high pressure gas manifold to exhaust the stored gas or other fluids from the vessels and coupled in parallel at another end to separate fluid shuttle circuits. The fluid shuttle circuits include cross-piped fluid fill and drain manifolds that are fluidly linked through interposing reservoirs and pumps. In operation, the stored gas or other fluids are evacuated from the storage vessels by shuttling the volume of displacement liquid between alternating banks of storage tanks and reservoirs with alternating pumps.

Abstract: Bulk storage of natural gas or methane is facilitated by absorbing and storing the gas in a liquefied medium through the interaction of moderate pressure, low temperature and a solvent medium. Systems and processes are provided that facilitate the absorption of natural gas or methane into a liquid or liquid vapor medium for storage and transport, and back into a gas for delivery to market. In a preferred embodiment, the absorptive properties of ethane, propane and butane under moderate conditions of temperature and pressure (associated with a novel mixing process) are utilized to store natural gas or methane at more efficient levels of compressed volume ratio than are attainable with natural gas alone under similar holding conditions. The preferred mixing process efficiently combines natural gas or methane with a solvent medium such as liquid ethane, propane, butane, or other suitable fluid, to form a concentrated liquid or liquid vapor mixture suited for storage and transport.

Abstract: An optical sensor for sensing items transported along an item transport path, comprising: a transmitter element for transmitting a sensing beam to a detection location, which sensing beam interacts with each item as transported through the detection location; a receiver element for sensing the sensing beam at the detection location and outputting an output signal; and a processor unit for receiving the output signal of the receiver element and performing a determination based upon the same.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus for, and method of, acoustically improving an environment permits manual adjustment by one or more local or remote users using a simple graphical interface and automatic adjustment of the system parameters once the manual adjustment is performed. The inputs are weighted by distance from the physical apparatus. The apparatus includes a receiver, a converter, an analyser, a processor and a sound generator. The acoustic energy impinges on the receiver and is converted to an electrical signal by the converter. The analyser receives the electrical signal from the receiver, analyzes the electrical signal, and generates data analysis signals in response to the analyzed electrical signal. The processor produces sound signals based on the data analysis signals from the analyser in each critical band. The sound generator provides sound based on the sound signals. This permits the users to define the sound heard in a set space.

Abstract: At pressures over 1,000 psia it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C2 or C3 hydrocarbon compound or a mixture of such compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), this results in a decrease in the amount of power needed to pump the mixture or to compress it.

Abstract: For storage of natural gas at pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C2 or C3 hydrocarbon compound, or a mixture of such hydrocarbon compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), there is a decrease in the amount of power needed to compress the mixture. For storage or pipeline transportation of natural gas at pressures over 800 psia, it is advantageous to add ammonia to the natural gas, in an amount such that the ammonia does not create a liquid phase at the temperature and pressure used. The ammonia-natural gas mixture can be compressed or pumped with a lower energy expenditure than would be needed for an equivalent volume of natural gas alone. When more than 4% by volume of ammonia is present, the pumping through pipelines is also aided by the refrigerant effect of the ammonia, which reduces the temperature of the gas being transported.

Abstract: At pressures over 1,000 psia, it is advantageous to add to natural gas an additive which is a C2 or C3 hydrocarbon compound or a mixture of such compounds. Above a lower limit (which varies with the additive being added and the pressure), this results in a decrease in the amount of power needed to pump the mixture or to compress it.