Abstract: A liquefaction unit that may include a first treating unit, a second treating unit, a liquefaction heat exchanger, a changeover unit, a liquid nitrogen tank, an LNG product storage tank, and a pressure build unit. During a first operating phase, the associated piping defines a first operating phase flow path for natural gas from the natural gas inlet stream to the first treating unit to the liquefaction unit to the LNG product stream, and a first operating phase flow path for nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen stream to the liquefaction unit to the second treating unit. During a second operating phase, the associated piping defines a second operating phase flow path for natural gas from the natural gas inlet stream to the second treating unit to the liquefaction unit to the LNG product stream, and a first operating phase flow path for nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen stream to the liquefaction unit to the first treating unit.

Abstract: A tank that may include an inner containment membrane defining a containment volume, an exterior structural shell enclosing the inner containment membrane, and a contingent containment membrane sandwiched between the shell and the inner membrane. The tank may further include a first insulation layer between the contingent membrane and the shell, and a second insulation layer between the inner membrane and the contingent membrane. The tank may further include first or second insulation layers that include a reinforcing beam comprised of foamed or block insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a cryogenic fluid comprises a heat transfer fluid closed circulation loop at least partially defined by an ambient air heat exchanger, a heater, and a vaporizer. The heat exchanger is configured to direct air downward across a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. A cryogenic fluid flows through the vaporizer. The plurality of tubes comprise a first tube having a first fin of a height, h1, and a second tube spaced adjacent the first tube, where the second tube has a second fin of a height, h2, wherein h2 is different from h1.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation and processing of a cryogenic fluid. The system includes a floating liquefaction unit receiving a gas from a source, a shuttle vessel for carrying liquefied gas away from the liquefaction unit, a floating regasification unit for receiving the liquefied gas from the vessel, regasifying the liquefied gas and providing the gas to a distribution system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for vaporizing cryogenic fluids in which an intermediate heat transfer fluid is first heated across a heat transfer surface with ambient air, and then the heat transfer surface provides heat to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage/processing system which includes a tank for storing the cryogenic fluid, and a containment wall surrounding the tank and defining an impoundment area. The system further includes a vaporizer for regasification of the cryogenic fluid. Piping is discharges the vaporizer heating medium into the impoundment area, and/or routes it beneath the tank to heat the ground beneath the tank. Further, the system provides for all liquid hydrocarbons to be contained within the impoundment area with the pumps inside and the vaporizers mounted on the containment walls.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a first tube having a first fin of a first predetermined height extending outward therefrom. A second tube is vertically spaced above the first tube. The second tube has a second fin of a second predetermined height extending outward therefrom. A fan is positioned to force ambient air across the second tube and then across the first tube to heat a fluid flowing therethrough. A method of heating a fluid comprises sequentially flowing the fluid upward through a plurality of vertically spaced rows of substantially horizontal tubes, and forcing air downward over the plurality of tubes to heat the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation and processing of a cryogenic fluid. The system includes a floating liquefaction unit receiving a gas from a source, a shuttle vessel for carrying liquefied gas away from the liquefaction unit, a floating regasification unit for receiving the liquefied gas from the vessel, regasifying the liquefied gas and providing the gas to a distribution system.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a cryogenic fluid comprises a heat transfer fluid closed circulation loop at least partially defined by an ambient air heat exchanger, a heater, and a vaporizer. The heat exchanger is configured to direct air downward across a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. A cryogenic fluid flows through the vaporizer. The plurality of tubes comprise a first tube having a first fin of a height, h1, and a second tube spaced adjacent the first tube, where the second tube has a second fin of a height, h2, wherein h2 is different from h1.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage/processing system which includes a cement box in which is positioned a multiplicity of tanks arranged parallel in one or more layers and surrounded by perlite insulation, and in which is positioned a pump for filling/emptying the tanks. A vaporizer the vaporizing the tank contents is mounted on or adjacent to the box.

Abstract: Natural gas liquefaction system employing an open methane cycle wherein the liquefied natural gas is flashed immediately upstream of the liquefied natural gas storage tank and boil off vapors from the tank are returned to the open methane cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation of a cryogenic fluid. The system includes a floating liquefaction unit receiving a gas from a source, a shuttle vessel for carrying liquefied gas away from the liquefaction unit, and a floating regasification unit for receiving the liquefied gas from the vessel, regassifying the liquefied gas and providing the gas to a distribution system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for vaporizing cryogenic fluids in which an intermediate heat transfer fluid is first heated across a heat transfer surface with ambient air, and then the heat transfer surface provides heat to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for heating and vaporizing a cryogenic fluid while controlling the heat flux of a plate fin and tube and finned tube exchanger by use of an intermediate fluid circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for and process for recovering LNG from reservoir natural gas which includes circulating a portion of the natural gas thru a gas cooling loop that includes heat exchanges, an expansion zone and compression zone. The process also includes removing liquids from the gas cooling loop, distilling those liquids to recover a distilled gas. The process also includes compressing and expanding various portions of the distilled gas and passing those portions thru heat exchangers shared with the gas cooling loop to effect heating/cooling as desired. The process also includes removing a portion of the LNG cooling loop as LNG product.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A cryogenic fluid storage/processing system which includes a tank for storing the cryogenic fluid, and a containment wall surrounding the tank and defining an impoundment area. The system further includes a vaporizer for regasification of the cryogenic fluid. Piping discharges the vaporizer heating medium into the impoundment area, and/or routes it beneath the tank to heat the ground beneath the tank. Further, the system provides for all liquid hydrocarbons to be contained within the impoundment area with the pumps inside and the vaporizers mounted on the containment walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cooling a water stream in an evaporative cooling tower that comprises passing the water stream thru a flow distribution means over a high surface area packing material to wet the surface of the packing material and contacting the wet packing material surface with a moving gas stream.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method and an apparatus for improving the efficiency of an open-cycle refrigeration process for LNG production by the employment of a liquid expander to recover energy associated with the flashing of a pressurized liquid stream and employing said recovered energy to compress the flashed vapor streams in the open cycle.