With Vaporizing Of Liquified Gas Downstream Of Storage Patents (Class 62/50.2)
  • Patent number: 10101081
    Abstract: A method of temperature control in a cryogenic temperature control apparatus. The method includes operating the cryogenic temperature control apparatus in a first mode, and delivering a first flow rate of cryogen from a storage tank to an evaporator coil in the first mode. The cryogenic temperature control apparatus is operated in a second mode after operating the cryogenic temperature control apparatus in the first mode for a predetermined time duration. A second flow rate of cryogen that is lower than the first flow rate is delivered to the evaporator coil in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, David J. Vander Woude, Suresh Kumar, Joseph L. Glentz
  • Patent number: 10100979
    Abstract: A method of liquid air energy storage is provided. This method includes liquefying and storing air to form a stored liquid air during a first period of time; during a second period of time, introducing a compressed air stream into a cryogenic system, wherein the cryogenic system comprises at least one cold compressor, and at least one heat exchanger. The method includes producing a first exhaust stream and a second exhaust stream. The method also includes vaporizing at least part of the stored liquid air stream in the heat exchanger, thereby producing a first high pressure compressed air stream, then combining the first high pressure compressed air stream, the first exhaust stream and the second exhaust stream to form a combined exhaust stream, heating the combined exhaust stream, then expanding the heated combined exhaust stream in an expansion turbine to produce power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bao Ha, Jean-Renaud Brugerolle
  • Patent number: 10060672
    Abstract: This invention is about an air separation apparatus to produce oxygen and nitrogen through isobaric separation, which is based on the Rankine cycle system of similar thermal energy power circulation apparatus at cryogenic side, a liquid pump is used to input work and the cold is made up to the air separation apparatus with refrigerating media, so as to realize the isobaric separation of air to produce nitrogen and oxygen. The air separation apparatus of this invention can save energy by over 30% as compared with the traditional advanced apparatus with the identical refrigerating capacity, and it can also realize centralize gas supply via the air separation apparatus, therefore it constitutes a breakthrough to the traditional air separation technology and refrigeration theory, with substantial economic, social and environmental protection benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: NANJING RECLAIMER ENVIRONMENTAL TEKNIK CO., LTD
    Inventor: Haibo Wang
  • Patent number: 9845917
    Abstract: A method for filling at least one buffer container of a hydrogen filling station, the station comprising a fluid circuit linked to said at least one buffer container, the circuit of the filling station comprising a first end linked to at least one source of hydrogen gas, the circuit comprising a second end provided with a transfer conduit intended to be removably connected to a tank, the method being characterized in that it comprises a step of determining the current concentration of at least one impurity in the hydrogen in the buffer container during the filling of same, a step of comparing said current concentration of the impurity relative to a predefined threshold concentration and, when the current concentration of the at least one impurity reaches said threshold concentration, stopping the filling of said buffer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Laurent Allidieres
  • Patent number: 9835291
    Abstract: A storage tank includes a tank roof and a tank sidewall. At least one opening is located in at least one of the tank roof or the tank sidewall. A pipe extends through the at least one opening, the pipe having a sleeve assembly positioned around the pipe. The sleeve assembly also extends through the opening. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve, at least one layer of insulation, and an inner flange. The inner flange is located on a first end of the sleeve and is coupled to the pipe. The sleeve, in turn is coupled to the tank such that the inner flange is located within the storage tank. The at least one layer of insulation is positioned in an annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: John M. Blanchard, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 9695984
    Abstract: A plant for regasification of LNG includes a pump boosting LNG pressure, an LNG/coolant heat exchanger producing NG from LNG from the boosting pumps, and a closed coolant loop extending through the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and including a heat exchanger. The coolant from the heat exchanger is passed through the LNG heat exchanger as a gas and leaving in a condensed state to produce NG by thermal exchange. A heating medium is used within the heat exchanger to provide coolant in a gaseous state. An NG/coolant heat exchanger is arranged in connection with the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and is connected to the closed coolant loop. LNG is preheated within the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and NG is trim heated within the NG/coolant heat exchanger using liquid coolant from at least one heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hamworthy Gas Systems AS
    Inventor: Per Helge S. Madsen
  • Patent number: 9656533
    Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for a vehicle includes a heat exchanging unit including one or more plate units in which two or more plates are stacked to form different connection channels and exchanging heat with each other while different operating fluids pass through the respective connection channels in the heat exchanging unit, an upper cover mounted on one side of the heat exchanging unit, and including a plurality of inlets that introduce each operating fluid into the heat exchanging unit and are interconnected with the respective connection channels, and a lower cover mounted on the other side of the heat exchanging unit, and including a plurality of outlets that are interconnected with the respective connection channels so as to discharge the each operating fluid passing through the heat exchanging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wan Je Cho, Jae Yeon Kim, Soo Yong Park
  • Patent number: 9459185
    Abstract: Provided herein is a solar powered system for a gas sampling and analysis for placement and operation remote from conventional infra-structure that utilizes a minimum of power to obtain a sample extracted from a source such as a pipeline or well-head, conditions the extracted sample, transmits the conditioned sample through vacuum jacketed tubing to an analyzer while maintaining the sample at a temperature and pressure preventing phase transition, condensation or component partitioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Mustang Sampling LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Thompson, Claude A. Rolston, Timothy L. Querrey, Charles F. Cook
  • Patent number: 9404623
    Abstract: A system and method of receiving field gas from a compressor station pipeline, and compressing the gas at a remote location with a modular compressor. The compressed gas is collected in a container and transported to a wellsite for use at the wellsite. The gas from the pipeline is directed to the container, and diverted to the modular compressor when pressure in the container approaches pressure in the pipeline. The modular compressor discharge is piped to the container, so that the container is filled with additional gas and at the discharge pressure of the modular compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Manik Kapoor
  • Patent number: 9291309
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogen dispensing system comprising: a feed vessel for storing liquid hydrogen having an inlet and an outlet; a flash drum having an inlet and an outlet; a dispenser for dispensing gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of greater than 300 bar, having an inlet and an outlet wherein the feed vessel outlet is in fluid communication with the flash drum inlet, the flash drum outlet is in fluid communication with the dispenser inlet and there is no compression apparatus between the feed vessel outlet and the dispenser outlet. The invention also provides a method of providing gaseous hydrogen to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Nikunj Gupta, Brad John Smith
  • Patent number: 9200848
    Abstract: An exemplary air heat exchanger is an engine configuration including a front heat exchange unit including a front air-to-air intercooler configured to receive a stream of air, and a front radiator connected to the front air-to-air intercooler. The engine configuration also includes a rear heat exchange unit including a rear radiator and a rear air-to-air intercooler connected to the rear radiator. An internal combustion engine is located such that the rear air-to-air intercooler is located between the engine and the front air-to-air intercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Chenfei Lu
  • Patent number: 9164016
    Abstract: The device for sampling and vaporizing liquefied natural gas includes a circuit provided at one end with a device for collecting a sample of liquefied gas and conveying the sample to a measurement device. The circuit includes and passes through a device for vaporizing the sample. The device for vaporizing includes at least one vaporization chamber having a first convergent section portion and a second divergent section portion and shaped so as to vaporize the sample under supercritical conditions at a pressure of greater than 80 bar without fractionating. The vaporization chamber includes, at the entrance of the first convergent section portion, a port with a variable opening. The port is sized so as to limit the vaporization pressure to a maximum of 90 bar in conjunction with a fixed opening at the outlet of the second divergent section portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: OPTA PERIPH
    Inventor: Pierre Barere
  • Patent number: 9157578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas supply device having a compact configuration that enables prevention of vaporized gas by requisite minimum heating means from being liquefied again and an installation area to be considerably reduced. The gas supply device is provided with: a tank configured to retain material liquid; and a mass flow controller that is connected to an inside of the tank through a first valve unit, and controls a flow rate of gas resulting from vaporizing the material liquid, in which inside an outer wall of the tank, an internal flow path is formed, and the internal flow path is provided with a generated gas lead-out line provided with: a first valve flow-in flow path connecting the inside of the tank and a first inlet port; and a first valve flow-out flow path connecting a first outlet port and an introduction port of the mass flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9139313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and compact method of bottling gas (1), that can be installed in any the retail sales establishment to bottle cylinders (3) directly to the consumer, or in vehicles to bottle the cylinders (3) in the residences where they are consumed, the compact system of bottling gas (1) comprising a device for transfer of gas, from a reservoir (2) to gas cylinders (3) located in closed compartments (4), allowing the consumer a choice of quantity of gas and further eliminating the inconveniences of exchanging the cylinder (3) or its transport to remote locations for refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Camilotti, Flavio Camilotti
  • Patent number: 9080726
    Abstract: A tank system for a motor vehicle, tank system including at least one first compressed gas vessel defining a first vessel space configured to receive natural gas, and at least one second compressed gas vessel defining a second vessel space configured to receive at least one of natural gas and liquefied gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Werner Lindtner, Peter Pucher
  • Publication number: 20150121905
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Publication number: 20150121904
    Abstract: In a heater for a liquefied stream, a first heat transfer zone has a box stretching longitudinally along an axis. A first heat transfer surface is arranged inside the box, across which a first indirect heat exchanging contact is established between a liquefied stream that is to be heated and a heat transfer fluid. A second heat transfer zone is located gravitationally lower and includes a second heat transfer surface across which the heat transfer fluid is brought in a second indirect heat exchanging contact with the ambient. A downcomer fluidly connects the first heat transfer zone with the second heat transfer zone and has a first transverse portion and a first downward portion that are fluidly connected to each other via a connecting elbow portion. The connecting elbow portion, when viewed in a vertical projection on a horizontal plane, is located external to the box compared to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Roderick Kempes, Robert Lansink, Gregory Martin Parry Perkins, Leendert Johannes Arie Zoetemeijer
  • Patent number: 8991197
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Publication number: 20150075189
    Abstract: A low-loss cryogenic fluid supply system having at least one main cryogenic fluid tank and a backup cryogenic fluid tank each having a vent set to a first pressure P1 and a pressure build circuit set to a second pressure P2, a main tank gas supply line configured to supply gas to a junction at a third pressure P3, a main tank liquid supply line configured to supply gas to the junction at a fourth pressure P4, a backup tank liquid supply line configured to supply gas to the junction at a fifth pressure P5, a backup tank backpressure regulator configured to supply gas to a point upstream to the main tank gas supply line at a sixth pressure P6, and an outlet supply line configured to supply gas from the junction at an end use pressure Pu, where P1>P3?P2, P1?P6>P2, P6?P3>P4>P5>Pu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Air Products And Chemicals Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gerard Witte
  • Patent number: 8973398
    Abstract: A method for vaporizing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and recovering heavier hydrocarbons from the LNG utilizing a heat transfer fluid is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: David A. Coyle
  • Patent number: 8959931
    Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and systems for transporting or importing LNG via vessels. Under the present techniques, SRTs, which are equipped with regasification equipment, LNG offloading equipment (e.g. marinized mechanical loading arms), LNG storage tanks, and equipment to transfer natural gas to an import terminal are utilized as temporary interchangeable FSRUs (TIFs). Two or more TIFs in conjunction with transport vessels (e.g. LNGCs) are utilized to transfer LNG between an export terminal and an import terminal. A first of the TIFs is utilized at an import terminal to offload LNG from LNGCs, while the second of the TIFs is utilized as a LNGC, carrying LNG between the export terminal and import terminal. The first of the TIFs may be replaced by the second of the TIFs to maintain operations for the import terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: William S. Mathews, Mark E. Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 8950195
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8950196
    Abstract: Contemplated power plants and LNG regasification facilities employ a combination of ambient air and non-ambient air as continuous heat sources to regasify LNG and to optimize power production. Most preferably, contemplated plants and methods are operable without the need for supplemental heat sources under varying temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8943842
    Abstract: A process and apparatus that includes a cryogenic source for providing a cryogenic fluid for vaporization, a cryogenic pump in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic source for increasing the pressure of the cryogenic fluid, an unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic pump and adapted to accept the cryogenic fluid to form a heated stream, a direct-fired vaporizer downstream and in fluid flow communication with the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 and adapted to accept the heated stream from the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit to form a superheated stream; and a diesel engine power unit 118 to provide power to the cryogenic pump, the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110, and the direct-fired vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: John Charles Street, Paul Martin Davis
  • Patent number: 8939166
    Abstract: TurbinAL™ is a high-flow carbon dioxide system providing continuous, pressure and temperature regulated gas supply of carbon dioxide for turbine system purging. In a preferred embodiment, the TurbinAL™ system has: a) Four or more dip-tube equipped carbon dioxide cylinder six- or sixteen-packs with integral check valves, flow restriction orifices, and single outlet manifolds; b) Two flow manifolds which are connected to the packs with flexible gas safety lines; c) A transducer controlled automatic switchover manifold that switches gas flow from one flow manifold to the other with no interruption in gas flow; d) An electric heater system designed to vaporize liquid carbon dioxide drawn from a cylinder (via the dip tube) to be supplied to the turbines as a temperature controlled gas; e) A programmable logic controller (PLC) to automatically control and monitor system functions; and f) A flow control device to prevent excess flow to the turbine(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Air Liquide America Specialty Gases LLC
    Inventors: James A. Shurtleff, Joseph K. Bernacki, Martin O'Toole
  • Patent number: 8931287
    Abstract: A water-going liquefied carbon dioxide (LCD) transport vessel having a pressurized and refrigerated LCD container, a cargo discharge pump within the container for pumping LCD out of] the container along a conduit, a booster pump for pumping LCD along the conduit to a platform, a first backflow line downstream of the cargo pump to the container, a second backflow line from downstream of the booster pump to the container, and optionally a heater arranged to heat LCD flowing from the vessel along the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Audun Aspelund, Henrik Krogstad, Tor Erling Sandvik, Jan Einar Fivelstad, Roar Frode Henningsen, Leif Roar Wongraven, Tor Erik Hilden, Narve Oma
  • Patent number: 8893514
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage system for a spacecraft comprising at least one liquid tank with an outer casing and an evacuated space arranged between the tank and the outer casing. The system further comprises a propellant management device made of material that is a good conductor of heat and that is cooled by a cryorefrigerator to localize the liquid inside the tank when in microgravity, a filler pipe situated in the portion of the tank that is at the bottom when the tank is on the ground, and that is surrounded by an evacuated insulating double wall and a purge pipe connecting the tank to the outer casing and presenting an internal length that is not less than half the diameter of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Dominique Valentian
  • Patent number: 8893515
    Abstract: A LNG storage and regasification plant includes a reliquefaction unit in which boil-off vapors from the storage tanks are re liquefied and recycled back to the LNG storage tanks for tank pressure and Wobbe index control. Preferably, LNG cold is used for reliquefaction and operational flexibility is achieved by feeding a portion of the pressurized boil-off gas to a fuel gas header and/or to be recondensed by the sendout LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20140338371
    Abstract: An LNG carrier for transporting LNG from one location to another that includes a vaporizer on board said LNG carrier for vaporizing the LNG to a gaseous state, one or more heat exchangers at least partially submerged in seawater, an intermediate fluid circulating between said vaporizer and said heat exchanger, and one or more pumps for circulation said intermediate fluid is disclosed. A method of regasifying LNG while on board an LNG carrier is provided that includes circulating an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer on board the LNG carrier and a submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger, heating the LNG to a temperature above its vaporization temperature using heat energy carried by said intermediate fluid and heating the intermediate fluid, using heat energy supplied by the submerged or partially submerged heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Alan B. Nierenberg
  • Patent number: 8887513
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a cryogenic fluid are provided. A cryogenic fluid can be heated to provide a partially cryogenic vaporized fluid having a first temperature. The partially vaporized cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a second partially vaporized fluid having a second temperature. At least a portion of the second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be used to heat the cryogenic fluid to the first temperature. The second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a substantially vaporized cryogenic fluid having a third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Heinz J. Kotzot, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Joseph H. Cho, Charles Durr, Robert Burlingame
  • Publication number: 20140326000
    Abstract: A liquid natural gas tank (LNG) pressure management system is provided. The system includes an LNG bulk tank, an LNG fuel tank operably connected to the LNG bulk tank, a compressed natural gas (CNG) accumulator operably connected to the LNG fuel tank and a liquid natural gas cryogenic pump operably connected to the liquid natural gas fuel tank and the liquid natural gas bulk tank. The pressure management system is configured to direct boil off gas (BOG) to the compressed natural gas accumulator upon a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Sampson
  • Patent number: 8857162
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for reducing the cold start time for a vehicle with a twin fuel engine. The system has an exhaust system, from which exhaust is discharged and collected on an exhaust manifold. A heat exchanger is positioned within the exhaust system, with coolant flow passages in thermal communication with the engine, and the heat exchanger. A control valve is coupled to a first flow path operable to direct the exhaust through the heat exchanger across the first flow path and a second flow path in selective amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Andrew Brown, Joshua Wayne Steffen
  • Patent number: 8844555
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a CO2 system that provides carbonation and delivery of beverages to a user is provided together with a control valve for performing this method. The steps include: attaching a hose and pumping liquid carbon dioxide through an inlet fitting housed in a control valve assembly; causing the translation of a valve stem to isolate a gas port and a tank and a user port and directing the liquid carbon dioxide to a liquid port and a tank; and stopping the pumping of the liquid carbon dioxide upon reaching a pre-determined pressure and removing the hose allowing the translation of the valve stem to close the valve assembly from the atmosphere and allowing the liquid to boil to a gas to provide delivery and carbonation to the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bevtech, Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel E Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140250922
    Abstract: A system for supplying LNG fuel is disclosed. The system includes a fuel supplying line connected from an LNG storage tank to a high pressure engine and a low pressure engine, respectively, a pump formed on the fuel supplying line, and configured to pressurize LNG outputted from the LNG storage tank to high pressure, a first heat exchanger formed on the fuel supplying line between the high pressure engine and the pump, and configured to heat the LNG supplied from the pump, a second heat exchanger formed on the fuel supplying line between the low pressure engine and the LNG storage tank, and configured to evaporate the LNG in a liquid state supplied from the LNG storage tank and a heat source supplying line configured to supply heat to the LNG by supplying glycol water to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Ho KANG, Jong Bum LEE, Ju Seog HAN, Hee Seung HEO
  • Patent number: 8826673
    Abstract: Contemplated systems and methods employ a portion of vaporized and heated LNG as a defrosting medium in an LNG ambient air vaporizer. Most preferably, the LNG is heated to a temperature of about 100° F. to 400° F., and is after defrosting fed back to the LNG stream at a position that is upstream and/or downstream of the vaporizer or to the natural gas delivery pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20140230458
    Abstract: Disclosed is an LNG fuel supply system, including: a fuel supply line connected from an LNG storing tank to an engine; a pump provided on the fuel supply line, and configured to change an LNG to the LNG in a supercooled liquid state by compressing the LNG discharged from the LNG storing tank at a high pressure; and a heat exchanger provided on the fuel supply line between the engine and the pump, and configured to phase change the LNG in the supercooled liquid state to the LNG in a supercritical state by heating the LNG in the supercooled liquid state supplied from the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chul CHOI, Ki Hong KIM, Kwang Pil CHANG, Eun Sung BAEK, Ju Seog HAN
  • Publication number: 20140216403
    Abstract: A gas fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The gas fuel system includes a fuel tank configured to supply cryogenic fuel. A cryogenic pump is configured to pressurize the cryogenic fuel received from the fuel tank. A heat exchanger is configured to receive the pressurized cryogenic fuel and an engine coolant. Further, the engine coolant flows through the heat exchanger to vaporize the pressurized cryogenic fluid. The gas system further includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of temperature of the engine coolant. Further, the controller sends a signal to impose one or more parasitic loads on the engine based on the temperature of the engine coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Stockner
  • Publication number: 20140216067
    Abstract: In a closed circuit a heat transfer fluid is cycled from a first heat transfer zone to a second heat transfer zone via a downcomer, all arranged in an ambient. The first heat transfer zone, housed inside a first box, comprises a first heat transfer surface across which the liquefied stream is brought in a first indirect heat exchanging contact with the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is allowed to condense, and a part of the condensed portion of the heat transfer fluid is allowed to accumulate within the first box thereby forming a liquid layer of the heat transfer fluid. Liquid is drawn from the liquid layer and passed through the downcomer to the second heat transfer zone. The second heat transfer zone comprises a second heat transfer surface across which the heat transfer fluid is brought in a second indirect heat exchanging contact with the ambient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Roderick Kempes, Robert Lansink, Gregory Martin Parry Perkins, Leendert Johannes Arie Zoetemeijer
  • Patent number: 8794029
    Abstract: A process for separating hydrocarbons from an LNG, including the steps of: distilling a feed LNG in a first distillation column to separate it into a fraction enriched with methane and a fraction enriched with components heavier than methane; distilling the fraction enriched with components heavier than methane in a second distillation column to separate it into a fraction enriched with ethane and a fraction enriched with components heavier than ethane; recovering the cryogenic heat of the feed LNG to be fed into the first distillation column or of the liquid inside the first distillation column by using a heat transfer medium; and cooling the overhead gas of the second distillation column by using the heat transfer medium which has recovered the cryogenic heat to condense at least part of the overhead gas of the second distillation column. An apparatus for carrying out this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yokohata, Shoichi Yamaguchi, Akihiko Tamakoshi
  • Patent number: 8789379
    Abstract: A hydrogen pump comprises a pump housing and a heating mechanism. The pump housing receives liquid hydrogen through a housing inlet. The heating mechanism vaporizes the liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing releases the gaseous hydrogen through a housing outlet at a predetermined pressure level of the gaseous hydrogen. The pump housing closes the housing outlet such as when the liquid hydrogen in the pump housing falls below a depletion level. The pump housing opens and additional liquid hydrogen enters the pump housing through the housing inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8776546
    Abstract: An air distillation unit comprises an air distillation column (10) suitable for producing a nominal flow of gaseous nitrogen, the top of said column being connected to a liquid nitrogen source (8), and operates by carrying out the following steps: a flow of compressed, cooled and purified air is sent to an exchanger (11) and then to the column, a flow of gaseous nitrogen is withdrawn from the column, the level of liquid at the bottom of the column is controlled; and injection liquid (20), sent from the source to the column, is no longer sent if the required production reduces to at most the nominal production. Application to the separation of air by cryogenic distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Benoit Davidian, Pierre Bodelin
  • Patent number: 8776535
    Abstract: A method for eliminating ground fog which results from vaporizing cryogenic fluids using ambient air. The method includes the steps of drawing an ambient air stream through an ambient air vaporizer thereby cooling the air stream and vaporizing the cryogenic fluid, and then passing the cooled air stream through a vent stack. The method further includes isolating the inlet air stream from the cold outlet air stream and dispersing the cold air into the atmosphere upon leaving the stack. The method further controls the relationship of the stack exit location and the ambient air vaporizer to prevent a temperature depression in the air surrounding the vaporizer which depression causes reduced vaporizer performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert E. Bernert, Jr., Robert E. Bernert, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20140174106
    Abstract: A cryogenic tank assembly includes a cryogenic tank having an internal volume that is configured to contain liquefied natural gas (LNG). The cryogenic tank includes an inlet and an outlet that are each fluidly connected to the internal volume. The assembly includes a recirculation conduit coupled in fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The recirculation conduit extends along a path between the inlet and outlet external to the internal volume of the cryogenic tank such that the path is configured to be exposed to an ambient environment of the cryogenic tank. The recirculation conduit is configured to: receive a flow of LNG from the internal volume through the outlet; transfer heat from the ambient environment to the LNG flow to change the LNG flow to a flow of natural gas; and inject the natural gas flow into the internal volume of the cryogenic tank through the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching-Jen Tang, Laura Michele Hudy
  • Patent number: 8726676
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Patent number: 8720500
    Abstract: A system and method for waking up a vehicle controller during a hydrogen gas refueling process for a high pressure hydrogen storage tank on a fuel cell vehicle. The system includes a first temperature switch mounted to the high pressure tank and enclosed within an insulation housing for monitoring the temperature within the tank and a second temperature switch for monitoring the temperature of the hydrogen gas at the refuel receptacle, where the second temperature switch is also enclosed within an insulation housing. If the temperature within the tank increases above a predetermined temperature, the first switch will close, and if the temperature at the refueling receptacle falls below a predetermined temperature, then the second switch will close, which causes a wake up signal to be provided to the controller to allow the controller to monitor the temperature of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Oliver Maier
  • Publication number: 20140123916
    Abstract: A system for the exchange of thermal energy generated by electrical components in an electrical locker to a flow of a liquefied gas is provided. The system includes a storage container for cryogenically storing the liquefied gas at low pressure, a heat exchanger configured into the electrical locker, and a cryogenic pump in fluid communication with the storage container. The cryogenic pump pressurizes the liquefied gas received from the storage container to a higher pressure and pumps the pressurized liquefied gas to a location where vaporization of the liquefied gas into a gaseous form is performed using the thermal energy drawn from the electrical locker by the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Aaron G. Foege
  • Publication number: 20140116069
    Abstract: A method and system of storing and transporting valuable gases comprising mixing the gases with liquid natural gas to form a mixture. The mixture is transported in vessel configured for cooling the mixture by boiling a portion of liquid natural gas. The transportation vessel is further configured to be cooled in the absence of valuable gases by a remaining portion of liquid natural gas. The method further comprises recycling liquid natural gas through the vessel for pre-cooling the vessel prior to loading the mixture of valuable gases and liquid natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Matar
  • Patent number: 8695376
    Abstract: Contemplated plant configurations and methods employ a vaporized and supercritical LNG stream at an intermediate temperature that is expanded, wherein refrigeration content of the expanded LNG is used to chill one or more recompressor feed streams and to condense a demethanizer reflux. One portion of the so warmed and expanded LNG is condensed and fed to the demethanizer as reflux, while the other portion is expanded and fed to the demethanizer as feed stream. Most preferably, the demethanizer overhead is combined with a portion of the vaporized and supercritical LNG stream to form a pipeline product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8695357
    Abstract: A pressure control system comprises separate conduits for supplying liquefied gas and vapor from a cryogen space defined by a cryogenic storage tank. A first conduit can deliver liquefied gas to a use device through a heater and then a first flow controller. A second conduit can deliver vapor to the use device with flow therethrough controlled by a second flow controller. The first flow controller is not exposed to liquefied gas at cryogenic temperatures because it is located downstream from the heater. For automatic operation a pressure sensor measures pressure inside the cryogen space and the first and second flow controllers are independently operable to maintain the pressure inside the cryogen space within a predetermined range. In a preferred embodiment the liquefied gas is a combustible fuel that is consumed by an internal combustion engine, which is the use device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brook, Valerie LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20140096539
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a tank adapted to contain a supply of cryogenic liquid, with the tank including a head space adapted to contain a vapor above the cryogenic liquid stored in the tank. A liquid withdrawal line is adapted to communicate with cryogenic liquid stored in the tank. A vaporizer has an inlet that is in communication with the liquid withdrawal line and an outlet that is in communication with a vapor delivery line. A pressure building circuit is in communication with the vapor delivery line and the head space of the tank. The pressure building circuit includes a flow inducing device and a control system for activating the flow inducing device when a pressure within the head space of the tank drops below a predetermined minimum pressure and/or when other conditions exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CHART, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Gustafson, Erik Gustafson