Abstract: A method for evaluating edge quality in an image includes receiving an image from a camera of a vehicle, detecting an edge in the image captured by the camera, fitting a polynomial curve to the edge in the image captured by the camera, executing a numerical optimizer to determine a minimum distance from each pixel in the image of the edge to the polynomial curve, determining a modulation transfer function (MTF) value using the minimum distance, determining whether the MTF value is greater than predetermined threshold, and providing an alert in response to determining that the MTF value is not greater than the predetermined threshold.

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: 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 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: 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: A device for anchoring a pipeline has a lower portion formed so as to be screwed into soil and firmly retained in the latter, an extension having a lower end connected with the lower portion and an upper end connectable to a rotary drive, and tether ropes having lower ends connected with the lower portion and upper ends adapted to be wrapped around a pipeline and firmly connected to the latter, so that the pipeline is held by the tether ropes at a desired depth.

Abstract: A device for anchoring a pipeline has a tubular lower portion formed so as to be screwed into soil and firmly retained in the soil, a tubular extension having a lower end connected with the lower portion and an upper end connectable to a rotary drive, and tether ropes extending inside the tubular lower portion and tubular extension and having lower ends connected with the lower portion and upper ends adapted to be wrapped around a pipeline and firmly connected to the pipeline, so that the pipeline is held by the tether ropes at a desired depth.

Abstract: A method of constructing pipelines in shallow ice covered waters includes freezing a long narrow pipeline workway so as to thicken ice until an ice mass grounds to an ocean floor, and removing ice in the ice mass to create a construction work area for laying a pipeline.

Abstract: A submersible apparatus for transporting compressed gas comprising a plurality of spools, each having a central bore. A long continuous length of relatively small diameter line pipe for holding compressed natural gas is wound about each spool, so that an inner end of the pipe terminates in the bore, while an outer end of the pipe terminates at outer surface of the spool. A tank has a thin housing to store the spools vertically therein, with axis of the bores horizontally to create a continuous pathway therethrough. An inner header extends through the length of the continuous pathway of the bores and has the inner ends of the pipes connected thereto. An outer header extends the length of the tank and has the outer ends of the pipes connected thereto. A pair of access ports are provided with each located at one end of the tank to provide loading/unloading nozzles and access ways for maintenance personnel.

Abstract: A portable compression system for pipeline purging having a first stage comprising a power turbine which drives an air intake compressor. An air cooler is connected to a recovery plenum line from the power turbine. A drive shaft extending from the power turbine operates a compressor that is connected to the air cooler. An exhaust line is connected to the compressor, so that exhaust gas produced by the power turbine is utilized as a compressed gas. Second and third stages are provided having a plurality of air coolers between compressors that are connected to the first stage, so that the final compressed gas can be utilized for purging pipelines.

Abstract: An onsite petrochemical storage and transport system comprising a land based facility, which provides storage at a well site for hydrocarbon reservoir products which include gas, oil and water at a high pressure. The pressurized mixture is transferred, by means of pressure equalization, into a truck with multiple pressure containing vessels and transported to a plant suitable for processing the raw hydrocarbon mixture. The well site facility and transport truck are configured to allow for separation of gas and liquids to selectively transfer the gas or liquids as desired. Remote well sites may be periodically serviced by transport trucks while maintaining continuous production.