Abstract: Apparatus for the subsurface storage of one or more pressurized gases such as hydrogen, compressed natural gas, etc. A subsurface storage pod includes a pod hanger support plate configured to span an opening of a well bore that extends into a subsurface formation. The support plate includes an upper plate with storage container apertures extending therethrough, a lower plate configured to be supported by a support pad that surrounds the well bore opening, and at least one support flange that extends between and interconnects the upper and lower plates. Gas storage containers extend through the storage container apertures and into the well bore. A vent aperture allows flow of gases from within the well bore to the surrounding environment. The support flanges may be arranged as interlocking members in a crossing pattern, and the lower plate can be arranged as discontinuous segments installed between adjacent pairs of the interlocking members.

Abstract: Apparatus for subsurface storage of hydrogen, compressed natural gas, and/or other high pressure gases. A storage module has a rigid outer casing which surrounds a rigid inner liner to define a sealed interior gas storage space within the inner liner and a sealed annulus space between the inner liner and the outer casing. The annulus space is filled with a fluid comprising a non-compressible liquid. A differential pressure control mechanism maintains a differential pressure across the inner liner within a predetermined differential pressure range. The control mechanism can include a high pressure pump configured to recirculate the annulus fluid, a relief valve, and one or more pressure sensors. The storage module may be incorporated into a storage pod with a plurality of storage modules having a combined storage space and a combined annulus space. The storage modules may be suspended by a support plate into a subsurface well bore.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a subterranean storage container configured to store a volume of a small molecular gas, such as hydrogen or methane. In some embodiments, a casing is arranged to extend into a subterranean formation. A top end of the casing is connected to a top cap structure. The top cap structure includes an adapter flange connected to an inner liner which extends within the casing and is separated therefrom by a circumferentially extending annulus. The annulus is configured to be filled with a fluid at a predetermined pressure. The fluid may be an uncompressible liquid such as propylene glycol. The small molecular gas is stored within an interior of the inner liner at a selected pressure, such as above 1000 pounds per square inch (psi).

Abstract: A subsurface storage container for a volume of a small molecular gas. An outer casing is axially aligned with an inner liner to define an annulus filled with a non-hardening, incompressible liquid. Sealing assemblies respectively seal upper and lower ends of the annulus and an interior storage space within the inner liner. In some embodiments, the interior storage space stores hydrogen gas at a pressure of about 10,000 psi or higher, and the liquid in the annulus comprises propylene glycol at a selected concentration which is pre-charged at a pressure such as around 3,000 psi. The liquid transfers compressive force from the inner liner to the outer casing to facilitate motor vehicle refueling operations without the need for a compressor to provide the gas at required delivery pressures. The storage container may be arranged into a group or pod that is supported by a support member over a well bore.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adaptively adjusting the storage of fuels for use in a fuel blending process. First and second fuels are stored in storage vessels at an initial volumetric fuel storage ratio. A storage controller executes a performance strategy to adaptively adjust at least one storage parameter in response to a predicted or detected change in operating conditions of the system. The performance strategy can include increasing a storage pressure of at least one of the fuels and/or changing a total number of storage vessels used to store the respective fuels. A dispensing mechanism transfers a blended fuel formed from the first and second fuels in accordance with the execution of the performance strategy. The fuels can take a variety of forms including hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), hydrocarbons, etc. The blended fuel may be dispensed by a fueling station to a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blending first and second fuels for use by a combustion mechanism, such as a motor vehicle. The first and second fuels are stored in storage vessels of a fuel storage pod in a fuel storage ratio of total respective volumes established by a storage controller circuit of a storage module responsive to a predicted demand level. A blended fuel ratio is selected by a blend controller circuit of a blend module in response to an imminent demand parameter of a selected combustion mechanism, with the blended fuel ratio being different from the fuel storage ratio. A blend of the first and second fuels is thereafter dispensed to the selected combustion mechanism at the blended fuel ratio. The first fuel may be hydrogen (H2), and the second fuel may be a selected hydrocarbon, such as propane, butane, methane, hexane, gasoline or diesel.

Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.

Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.

Abstract: A subsurface storage container for a volume of a small molecular gas. An outer casing is axially aligned with an inner liner to define an annulus filled with a non-hardening, incompressible liquid. Sealing assemblies respectively seal upper and lower ends of the annulus and an interior storage space within the inner liner. In some embodiments, the interior storage space stores hydrogen gas at a pressure of about 10,000 psi or higher, and the liquid in the annulus comprises propylene glycol at a selected concentration which is pre-charged at a pressure such as around 3,000 psi. The liquid transfers compressive force from the inner liner to the outer casing to facilitate motor vehicle refueling operations without the need for a compressor to provide the gas at required delivery pressures. The storage container may be arranged into a group or pod that is supported by a support member over a well bore.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a subterranean storage container configured to store a volume of a small molecular gas, such as hydrogen or methane. In some embodiments, a casing is arranged to extend into a subterranean formation. A top end of the casing is connected to a top cap structure. The top cap structure includes an adapter flange connected to an inner liner which extends within the casing and is separated therefrom by a circumferentially extending annulus. The annulus is configured to be filled with a fluid at a predetermined pressure. The fluid may be an uncompressible liquid such as propylene glycol. The small molecular gas is stored within an interior of the inner liner at a selected pressure, such as above 1000 pounds per square inch (psi).

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.

Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.

Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a unit secured in a single subterranean bore. The unit can be configured to store compressed hydrocarbon gas in at least one of a plurality of separate vessels that are respectively attached via at least one retainer. An anchor feature may be employed to center the unit within the single subterranean bore.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a unit secured in a single subterranean bore. The unit can be configured to store compressed hydrocarbon gas in at least one of a plurality of separate vessels that are respectively attached via at least one retainer. An anchor feature may be employed to center the unit within the single subterranean bore.

Abstract: A subterranean tank can consist of at least a casing string that has a containment section disposed between first and second end regions. The containment section may have a first width while each of the first and second end regions have a second width. The first width can be greater than the second width of the respective first or second end regions. The entire casing string may be sealed to maintain a gas at 5,000 psi or more until a gas delivery assembly attached to the first end region releases gas stored in the casing string.

Abstract: A subterranean tank can consist of at least a casing string that has a containment section disposed between first and second end regions. The containment section may have a first width while each of the first and second end regions have a second width. The first width can be greater than the second width of the respective first or second end regions. The entire casing string may be sealed to maintain a gas at 5,000 psi or more until a gas delivery assembly attached to the first end region releases gas stored in the casing string.

Abstract: A system for storing fuel in and delivering fuel from a subterranean sealed bore may have at least one subterranean sealed bore connected to at least one compressor and one or more control circuits to store natural gas at a predetermined pressure. Each subterranean sealed bore can consist of a casing string extending a predetermined depth below ground. The one or more control circuits may consist of a log of activity in each subterranean sealed bore and a prediction model compiled in response to the log of activity.

Abstract: A medical waste disposal system for loading, reducing, and sterilizing medical waste is disclosed. The system includes a frame supporting a generally sealed containment chamber, a lift assembly having a lifter mounted on a track assembly configured for generally vertical motion of the lifter. The system also includes a hopper mounted on the frame near the lift and in communication with a material feeder, a first grinder in communication with the material feeder, a first conveyor positioned to receive medical waste from the first grinder, and a second grinder in communication with the first conveyor. The system further includes a second conveyor positioned to receive waste from the second grinder, and an autoclave for thermally disinfecting the waste, mounted on the frame in the containment chamber and in communication with the second conveyor assembly. The autoclave includes a plurality of steam inlets, a waste inlet opening, and a waste outlet opening for discharging waste to a third conveyor assembly.