Abstract: A method and apparatus for fueling the onboard storage tank of a vehicle with liquefied natural gas. A liquid cryogen such as liquid nitrogen is fed to a condensing unit to condense natural gas present in a fueling system. Liquefied natural gas is fed into the fueling system and natural gas vapor is recovered from the onboard storage tank of the vehicle and fed to the condensing unit. When the pressure of the onboard storage tanks is sufficient, the liquefied natural gas is fed from the fueling system to the onboard storage tanks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing refrigeration to a space to be refrigerated by contacting air with at least one cryogenic fluid including liquefied natural gas and liquid nitrogen and distributing the air at near cryogenic temperatures to the space to be refrigerated. The air contacts the at least one cryogenic fluid in the at least one heat exchanger before being distributed through a distributor tube into the space to be refrigerated.

Abstract: A method of steps for decanting a cryogenic fluid from a storage tank that is in fluid communication with a back pressure regulator and a decant dewar. A minimum pressure is set for the back pressure regulator and a cryogenic fluid is fed from the storage tank to the back pressure regulator. When the pressure of the cryogenic fluid exceeds the minimum pressure set for the back pressure regulator, the cryogenic fluid is fed to the decant dewar. This flow will continue until the storage tank is essentially empty. The gas generated by this depressurization will be fed to an exit valve where it can be flared or recovered by the operator for additional uses.

Abstract: An LNG fueling station that is more compact in size and reduces the pipeline requirements between storage vessel and dispensing unit is described. The design allows for significantly reduced vehicle fueling times because all cryogenic components external to the LNG bulk storage tank are contained in a single location with little or no separation between the components. This ensures a minimum heat load to the cryogenic components external to the LNG bulk storage tank. The piping components of the fueling station are routed to provide passive cooling of critical components. The LNG fueling station can be operated with or without a pump and provides the advantages of modular component options.

Abstract: A method for removing gas from a storage vessel and returning it along with a liquid feed to the vessel. The gas such as natural gas is withdrawn from the storage vessel and fed to a venturi device where it is combined with a feed of liquid to the venturi device. The gas will combine with the liquid feed in the venturi device while the pressure in the storage vessel will be decreased thereby reducing the need for venting and increasing efficiency of the storage vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fueling the onboard storage tank of a vehicle with liquefied natural gas. A liquid cryogen such as liquid nitrogen is fed to a condensing unit to condense natural gas present in a fueling system. Liquefied natural gas is fed into the fueling system and natural gas vapor is recovered from the onboard storage tank of the vehicle and fed to the condensing unit. When the pressure of the onboard storage tanks is sufficient, the liquefied natural gas is fed from the fueling system to the onboard storage tanks.

Abstract: A method for producing a fog of ice nuclei by introducing a cryogenic fluid and a humid gas stream into a freeze dryer. The cryogenic fluid and humid gas stream will form ice nuclei having a preferred size for introduction into vials contained in the freeze dryer.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that provides refrigeration and is powered by an engine for burning liquefied natural gas. The vehicle contains on-board storage tanks for liquefied natural gas and liquid nitrogen. These two tanks are in thermal communication with each other and natural gas from the liquefied natural gas storage tank will periodically contact the liquid nitrogen and return as liquefied natural gas.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a subcooled bottom state or the natural convection current of a liquefied natural gas in a storage vessel by the use of an external heat exchanger. The liquefied natural gas is removed from the storage vessel and cooled in the external heat exchanger by a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen. The cooled liquefied natural gas is reintroduced back into the storage vessel thereby maintaining a subcooled bottom layer or natural convection current in the storage vessel.

Abstract: A method for producing a fog of ice nuclei by introducing a cryogenic fluid and a humid gas stream into a freeze dryer. The cryogenic fluid and humid gas stream will form ice nuclei having a preferred size for introduction into vials contained in the freeze dryer.

Abstract: A process for the jet milling of particles where water vapor is added to the jet milling system. The temperature, pressure and relative humidity of the water vapor is maintained and adjusted to ensure that the water vapor present during micronization is greater than allowed under equilibrium conditions, but remains above its Wilson point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying liquefied natural gas to a storage tank or a fuel tank at specified temperatures and pressures. The method employs the steps of pressurizing a conditioning vessel with gaseous natural gas at a first pressure, feeding liquefied natural gas at a second pressure greater than the first pressure to a condenser in heat transfer relationship with the conditioning vessel, and withdrawing the liquefied natural gas from the condenser.

Abstract: A method for producing a sterile cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic gas by sterilizing the cryogenic gas and using a heat exchanger to liquefy the sterile cryogenic stream. The discharge rate of the sterile cryogenic fluid is controlled by sizing the discharge orifice and setting a predetermined pressure of the sterile cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A method for distributing a cryogenic fluid inside a freeze drying chamber. The cryogenic fluid is fed into the freeze drying chamber through a venturi device. The cryogenic fluid will form an ice fog which will be rapidly and uniformly distributed throughout the freezing chamber and into the vials present in the freezing chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing components from a gas stream by feeding the gas stream into a pre-condensation unit to produce a gas stream at a lower intermediate temperature and feeding this intermediate temperature gas stream into a cryogenic condensation unit where a lower predetermined final temperature is achieved. This final temperature gas stream is directed back to the pre-condensation unit to assist in cooling the gas stream entering this unit.

Abstract: Stable and adjustable humidification of a gas are achieved by separating a gas stream into two streams and humidifying one of the gas streams. The desired level of humidification of the final product gas stream can be achieved by adjusting the relative flow rates of the two gas streams so that when they are combined to form a final product gas stream that has the appropriate level of humidity.

Abstract: A process for the jet milling of particles where water vapor is added to the jet milling system. The temperature, pressure and relative humidity of the water vapor is maintained and adjusted to ensure that the water vapor present during micronization is greater than allowed under equilibrium conditions, but remains above its Wilson point.

Abstract: Methods of separating volatile organic and/or gaseous inorganic components from a gas mixture, comprising subjecting the gas mixture to a cryocondensation process and an adsorption process to separate the volatile organic and/or gaseous inorganic components. The adsorption process utilizes at least two parallel adsorbers running alternately through adsorption and desorption phases. A regeneration gas used for the desorption phase is added to the gas mixture prior to the cryocondensation process. Temperature of the condensation process may be varied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extinguishing burning deposited goods situated in a silo, inert gas being introduced into the silo above the burning deposited goods and off gas being extracted above the burning deposited goods from the silo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and dispensing a liquid consisting of an oxygen containing mixture so that the liquid will not contain any more than a predetermined concentration of the oxygen at a predetermined pressure. In accordance with the invention, the mixture is introduced into the container at a specified initial concentration. A hypothetical volume of the saturated state of the liquid having the initial concentration is computed that when expanded into the total volume of the container, the resulting liquid would have the maximum enrichment. The liquid is dispensed from a bottom region of the container and dispensing is prevented when the liquid remaining within the container could possibly have the maximum enrichment computed at a particular dispensing pressure. Pressure relief methods are employed that avoid head space vapor being vented.