Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for odorizing a cryogenic fluid, comprising a step a) of continuously feeding an odorizing agent in liquid or gaseous form into a feed zone, said feeding being carried out at a temperature above the temperature of the cryogenic fluid and above the crystallization temperature of the odorizing agent, a step b) of feeding said odorizing agent in liquid or gaseous form from step a) into a buffer zone in which the liquid or gaseous odorizing agent is brought to a temperature of about the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, and a step c) of feeding said odorizing agent cooled in step b) into the contact zone, wherein said odorizing agent comes into contact with said cryogenic fluid to be odorized. The present invention also relates to an odorizing device for implementing said odorizing process.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a module for depressurisation and storage of a portion of a gas layer coming from at least one cryogenic tank. Some other embodiments are directed to a system using such a module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for odorizing a cryogenic fluid, comprising a step a) of continuously feeding an odorizing agent in liquid or gaseous form into a feed zone, said feeding being carried out at a temperature above the temperature of the cryogenic fluid and above the crystallization temperature of the odorizing agent, a step b) of feeding said odorizing agent in liquid or gaseous form from step a) into a buffer zone in which the liquid or gaseous odorizing agent is brought to a temperature of about the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, and a step c) of feeding said odorizing agent cooled in step b) into the contact zone, wherein said odorizing agent comes into contact with said cryogenic fluid to be odorized. The present invention also relates to an odorizing device for implementing said odorizing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (10) having a stack comprising a bipolar plate (20) which has a flow field (22) formed by a profiled section of the bipolar plate (20), and an elongated sealing element (21) which at least partially surrounds the flow field (22), and a membrane electrode assembly (30). It is provided that, inside a cavity (25) formed between the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the bipolar plate (20) in a region between the sealing element (21) and the flow field (22), a filling agent (24) is arranged which extends in the extension direction of the cavity (25).

Abstract: An odorant addition device for adding odorant to fuel gas in a gas system that consumes the fuel gas, the device including: an addition unit for adding the odorant to fuel gas to be consumed by the gas system; an environmental condition detection unit for detecting in the gas system an environmental condition regarding diffusion of odorant in fuel gas; and an addition adjustment unit for adjusting mode of odorant addition by the addition unit based on the environmental condition detected by the environmental condition detection unit. In this way, it is possible to detect leakage of fuel gas more reliably and improve safety dramatically, in a gas system that consumes the fuel gas as fuel.

Abstract: The goal of the invention consists in making available a method for supplying fuel to a pressurized gasification system, which ensures, in economically efficient manner, that the emission of pollutants from the coal transfer and the transport is minimized or completely avoided. This is achieved in that a gas that contains at least 10 ppm vol. CO is used for transfer and/or conveying, whereby a gas that contains oxygen is mixed into this gas, and that this gas mixture is heated to a temperature that oxidizes at least 10% of the pollutants contained in the gas.

Abstract: A method for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid-containing system such as a natural gas or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below pipeline pressure. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline. Flow-control apparatus located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline is either (a) drip-style metering valve adjustable between a drop-wise setting and a steady-flow setting or (b) a pair of valves one of which is a flow valve allowing larger volumes to be injected and the other which is a drop-wise flow valve for metering smaller volumes of the chemical.

Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained at a pressure above ambient, but below the pressure of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A hydraulic pressure booster is located in the injection conduit for pressurizing the chemical to a pressure above that of the pipeline, the hydraulic booster having a first side which communicates with the chemical in the injection conduit and another, isolated side which is exposed to hydraulic pressure but which is isolated from the chemical being injected. A flow control valve may be located within the injection conduit for metering chemical to be injected into the pipeline.

Abstract: Mixture to be employed specifically as an agent for adding an odour to a gaseous combustible fuel such as natural gas, consisting of: at least one alkyl acrylate (I) of which the alkyl radicals contain from one to 12 carbon atoms; at least on compound of formula (II) in a quantity sufficient to inhibit the polymerization of the alkyl acrylate or acrylates(I) in the presence and/or absence of oxygen.

Abstract: When odorant injection systems are inactive, they may accumulate unwanted vapors in the pump mechanism and associated tubing. In order to restart the odorant injection system, it is best to purge the unwanted vapors from the odorant pumps. The present pump purge system facilitates purging of unwanted vapors from odorant injection systems in an environmentally friendly fashion. The pump purge system purifies these vapors before they are vented to atmosphere. In addition, the pump purge system accumulates liquid odorant which is a byproduct of the purging process and stores it in a tank to reduce the likelihood of improper disposal. As an option, the pump purge system may also include a liquid odorant recapture system. The liquid odorant recapture system uses high pressure gas to return accumulated liquid odorant to the odorant injection system to be reused. This liquid odorant recovery system ensures environmentally responsible behavior.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition for use in particular as odorant of a gas fuel, more particularly of natural gas, comprising: 0.1 to 49.9 particles by weight of at least one alkyl sulphur (I) of formula: R1—S—R2, wherein R1 and R2, identical or different, represent: an alkyl radical comprising 1 to 4 carbon atom; or R1 and R2 together with the sulfur atom to which they are bound represent a saturated or unsaturated ring including 3 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a C1-C4 alkyl or C1-C4 alkenyl; 50 to 99.8 parts by weight of at least two alkyl acrylates (II) the alkyl radicals of which comprise 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8: 0.001 parts by weight of at least compound (III) inhibiting polymerization of the alkyl acrylates (II).

Abstract: Hydrogen generators and integrated hydrogen generator/fuel cells systems are operated by determining the condition of the hydrogen generator and the condition of the fuel to the hydrogen generator for selection of predetermined flow rates for each of the externally-provided raw materials. The processes of the invention can provide rapid transitions between hydrogen production rates while enabling enhanced efficiency and stability during transient operations.

Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained under a positive pressure which exceeds that of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A precise control flow valve, located within the injection conduit, meters odorant to be injected into the pipeline. An ultrasonic measuring unit allows the odorant to be metered on a drop wise basis with drops of chemical being counted as they pass through the flow valve into the injection conduit and into the natural gas pipeline. The ultrasonic measuring unit also allows steady state flow conditions to be measured accurately. A sonic measuring unit can also be utilized in low flow situations.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an odorant to a fluid in a vessel having an interior volume containing the fluid includes at least one odorant material and an odorant-permeable material. The at least one odorant material is disposed in the interior volume, the odorant material having at least one detectable odor. The odorant-permeable material encapsulates the odorant material.

Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained under a positive pressure which exceeds that of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A precise control flow valve, located within the injection conduit, meters odorant to be injected into the pipeline. The odorant is metered on a dropwise basis with individual drops of chemical being counted as they pass through the flow valve into the injection conduit and into the natural gas pipeline.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an odorant to a hydrogen gas includes at least one container, each container having an interior volume. At least one odorant material is disposed in the interior volume of a first container, the odorant material having at least one detectable odor. At least one hydrogen storage material is disposed in the interior volume of the first container or the interior volume of a second container.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for online and on-site tracer generation for tagging natural gas stored in underground storage fields wherein feedstock is drawn from a feedstock source. The feedstock undergoes initial analysis to determine hydrocarbons levels. The feedstock then undergoes reaction to produce tracers such as ethylene, propylene, acetylene hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The feedstock is then analyzed to determine post reaction tracer concentration. The feedstock including generated tracers is then introduced back into the feedstock stream. Tracer levels in the pre-reaction or initial analysis of feedstock are compared with tracer levels in the post-reaction feedstock and the rate of flow of feedstock through the system is adjusted to achieve a predetermined level of tracer concentration. The level of tracer concentration will then be used to identify the particular natural gas charge in a storage field.

Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained under a positive pressure which exceeds that of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A precise control flow valve, located within the injection conduit, meters odorant to be injected into the pipeline. The odorant is metered on a dropwise basis with individual drops of chemical being counted as they pass through the flow valve into the injection conduit and into the natural gas pipeline.

Abstract: An odor-emitting port is provided in a housing member composed mainly of an inorganic material. An odorous material is contained in the housing member, and the odor-emitting port is sealed with a low-melting metal to constitute a heat-sensitive odor-emitting component. In this heat-sensitive odor-emitting component, as soon as the temperature of a heat generation site has reached a predetermined value, the low-melting metal is instantaneously melted down to open the odor-emitting port through which the odorous material contained in the housing member is immediately spread around the odor-emitting component. Therefore, the odor-emitting component is highly sensitive to temperature. Further, since the housing member is formed of an inorganic material, the long-term stability can be improved.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a fuel cell structure is provided which includes a seal portion in the form of a gasket between adjacent fuel cells in a stack of fuel cells. In the seal arrangement, a portion of the fuel cell structure that overlaps the gasket as viewed in a direction of lamination of the cells has a constant-thickness structure having a substantially constant thickness. The seal arrangement may further be arranged to seal fuel cell coolant passages and manifolds from fuel cell gas passages.

Abstract: A fatty acid such as an acetic acid or a butyric acid is added to a fuel gas for a fuel cell as an odorant. This makes it possible to add an odor to the fuel gas without poisoning an electrode catalyst and an electrolyte, and to prevent the odor from remaining in an exhaust gas emitted from the fuel cell.

Abstract: An improved feedstock for fuel processing systems, and fuel processing systems incorporating the same. The fuel processing system includes a fuel processor adapted to produce a product hydrogen stream from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing system may also include a fuel cell stack adapted to produce an electric current from the product hydrogen stream. The feedstock is at least substantially formed of a hydrocarbon or alcohol. In an exemplary embodiment, the feedstock includes methanol. The feedstock also includes at least one odorant adapted to produce a strong and characteristic odor, even when present in only low concentrations. The odorant, or odorants, are selected to be free or at least sufficiently free from compounds that will poison the catalyst used in the fuel processor.

Abstract: A system and method for odorizing natural gas in a pipeline uses an odorant injection pump operated by a programmable controller. In response to measured gas flow in the gas pipeline, and a preset setpoint, the injection pump injects liquid odorant directly into the pipeline. A flowmeter in the odorant line measures the amount of odorant actually injected to confirm that the required amount enters the pipeline. If the amount of odorant actually injected differs from that which is required by the setpoint, the controller compensates for the difference. The controller preferably logs pertinent data about operation of the system. The controller can be reprogrammed remotely to simplify the task of changing system operation.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for superodorizing an LP-gas tank with a mercaptan odorant for a new LP-gas tank and other situations requiring additional odorant, thus giving the new or older LP-gas tank and its contents the “skunk scent” required for proper leakage detection of the otherwise colorless, odorless LP-gas.

Abstract: A system for injecting chemicals, e.g., odorants, from a chemical supply into a conduit or container includes three primary components, a pump for injecting the odorant, a metering device, and a programmable controller. The controller is preferably powered by a solar panel to facilitate use of the system in remote areas for long periods of time. A removable data carrier, such as a memory module, is connected to the controller to collect odorant system event data. The data carrier is removable from the controller and the data therein may be downloaded into an auxiliary audit computer for generation of summary audit reports. The system precisely monitors how much odorant is used per pump stroke and insures that the odorant injection rate remains constant irrespective of environmental or equipment variations which might otherwise cause inaccuracies in the measurement of odorant usage data and/or the fluctuation of the odorant injection rate.

Abstract: An arrangement for adding an odorant to a consumer gas which is distributed to a consumer site, in order to indicate to people in the vicinity of the risk of fire, explosion, poisoning, suffocation or some other danger, should consumer gas leak into the surrounding atmosphere. The odorant is dissolved in a condensed vehicle gas in a pressure vessel (3), to obtain a solution, master gas, which includes a liquid phase (6) and a gas phase (7). The consumer gas is diluted with an adapted quantity of the liquid phase of the master gas, which is vaporized prior to being mixed with the consumer gas. To this end, the arrangement includes means (18) for correcting the relationship between the two gas flows during the dilution process with respect to the increase in the concentration of odorant in the liquid phase (6) of the master gas that results from the decreasing relationship between the quantity of liquid gas and gas phase (7) in the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A system for injecting chemicals, e.g., odorants, from a chemical supply into a gas pipeline includes three primary components, a pump for injecting the odorant, a metering device, and a programmable controller. The controller is preferably powered by a solar panel to facilitate use of the system in remote areas for long periods of time. A removable data carrier, such as a memory module, is connected to the controller to collect odorant system event data. The data carrier is removable from the controller and the data therein may be downloaded into an auxiliary audit computer for generation of summary audit reports. The system precisely monitors how much odorant is used per pump stroke and insures that the odorant injection rate remains constant irrespective of environmental or equipment variations which might otherwise cause inaccuracies in the measurement of odorant usage data and/or the fluctuation of the odorant injection rate.

Abstract: A vent check valve for use with a fluid pump such as a chemical pump wherein the vent check valve includes a floatation chamber and floatation member therein such that air is allowed to flow therethrough during normal operation of the pump while the liquid is prevented from flowing therethrough in the event of a malfunction of the pump. The vent check valve also includes a porous member thereon which allows air to flow therethrough while preventing direct access into and contamination of the vent check valve.

Abstract: A method of locating leaks in pipelines and associated facilities and a novel leak-detection test-fluid are disclosed. The novel test-fluid, comprising dimethylsulphide and a mutual solvent, is injected into a pipeline or facility so that the test-fluid escapes through the leak and an odorant which, by virture of its chemical and physical properties, is released from other test-fluid components to be detected in the vicinity of the leak.

Abstract: A fragrant liquefied petroleum gas composition is disclosed which contains a uniform dispersion of an essence capable of producing fragrant odor. The composition of the invention is comprised essentially of butane with the weight ratio of essence to the liquefied petroleum gas in the range of 0.05-10:100. The fragrant liquefied petroleum gas composition is particularly useful as fuel for lighters. There is also disclosed a process for preparing the composition of the invention which comprises (a) admixing an essence in an acyclic monohydric alcohol to obtain a uniform solution; (b) introducing a liquefied petroluem gas by a high pressure inert gas into the essence/alcohol solution to obtain a homogeneous mixing and (c) removing the alcohol to obtain a liquefied petroleum gas composition containing the essence homogeneously dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the rate of addition of an additive fluid that is to be added to a main fluid stream in a gas pipeline system. A monitoring interval is defined by selecting a base measurement parameter, and the flow rate of the main gas stream and of the additive fluid are measured during the monitoring interval. The average ratio of additive fluid flow to the main gas stream flow during the monitoring interval is calculated by a data logger, that displays and records the result and the date and time of day that the ratio calculation is made. The monitoring intervals can be defined by a predetermined quantity of odorant flow, a predetermined quantity of main gas flow, or a particular period of time.

Abstract: A closed and environmentally safe odorant injection apparatus comprises a pressured gas supply, preferably nitrogen, an odorant storage tank, a panel which contains a level pot and sight glass and manually actuated, pneumatically operated switches for drawing a measured portion of odorant and injecting the measured portion into LPG being loaded into a tank truck.

Abstract: Described is a warning agent for the odorization of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels based on mixtures of at least one of the compounds, 2-methoxy-3-isobutyl pyrazine having the structure: ##STR1## and 4-methyl-4-mercapto-2-pentanone having the structure: ##STR2## with a monomercaptan or a sulfide.

Abstract: The novel compounds cis-3-hydroxy-4-mercaptotetrahydrothiophene (I) and octahydrodithieno(3,4-b:3',4'e) 1,4-dithin (II) are prepared from 1,4-dithiothreitol and 1,4-dithioerythritol respectively. (I) has utility as an antibacterial agent. (II) has utility as an odorant.

Abstract: Liquid natural gas is odorized with either ethyl or methyl mercaptan by initiallly mixing the odorant with a diluent and then introducing the resultant mixture into the liquid natural gas. It is preferred that the diluent have a freezing point below the boiling point of liquid natural gas. It is theorized that with the diluent the mercaptans either do not freeze or are dispersed sufficiently in the liquid natural gas to reduce the particle size of frozen odorant. In any event, the result is effective odorization of natural gas drawn from a liquid natural gas storage tank regardless of the amount of liquid and gaseous natural gas left in the tank.

Abstract: A system for injecting a predetermined amount of additive fluid into a main stream of fluid which controls the amount of additive injected by a timing circuit. A pump continuously circulates the additive through a circuitous path having a valve which diverts the additive into the main stream. A control system receives signals from a turbine meter in the main stream and opens the valve a predetermined length of time at a frequency depending on the signals received from the turbine meter, thereby maintaining a constant concentration of the additive in the main stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for obtaining a controlled gas mixture of predetermined proportionality using a temperature dependent permeation tube or like source for the addition of a small amount of a constituent gas in a higher flow rate carrier gas. A thermistor having a negative coefficient of resistance is associated with the permeation source and electrically connected to a flow controller for the carrier gas to automatically regulate the flow rate of the carrier gas in accordance with temperature variation of the permeation source.