With Vaporizing Of Liquified Gas Downstream Of Storage Patents (Class 62/50.2)
  • Publication number: 20140075964
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide is pumped via a high pressure pump to a vaporizer where the liquid becomes gas. The higher pressure gas is cooled by a coolant exchanger and can be fed to an onsite unit operation such as an enhanced oil recovery operation. The coolant exchanger is in a thermal exchange relationship with a combustion engine which powers a hydraulic pump which feed hydraulic fluid to drive the high pressure pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Naumovitz, Andreas Opfermann
  • Patent number: 8671699
    Abstract: A process for the use of ambient air as a heat exchange medium for vaporizing cryogenic fluids wherein the vaporized cryogenic gases are heated to a selected temperature for use or delivery to a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Holding Company
    Inventors: Martin J. Rosetta, Bill R. Minton, David A. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8656726
    Abstract: A primary stream of boiled-off natural gas taken from the ullage space of a liquefied natural gas storage vessel is compressed by a compressor. A flow of liquefied natural gas taken from the storage vessel is partially and forcedly vaporised in a vaporiser 36 so as to form a secondary stream of natural gas containing unvaporised liquefied natural gas. Unvaporised liquefied natural gas is disengaged from the secondary stream in a phase separator. The secondary stream is mixed with the compressed primary stream to form a supply of natural gas fuel. The fuel supply may be formed and used on board an ocean-going LNG tanker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cryostar SAS
    Inventor: Josef Pozivil
  • Publication number: 20140013777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage tank having a heat exchanger and a natural gas fuel supply system having the storage tank. The storage tank having a heat exchanger according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a heat exchanger installed in an upper portion of an inside space of the storage tank, wherein the heat exchanger includes: an expansion valve into which LNG, which is highly pressurized by a pressurizer, is introduced; and a heat exchanger pipe which guides a flow of the LNG so that the LNG expands in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: JUNG-WOO ENE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lee Sun-hae
  • Patent number: 8613201
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing a pressure of compressed natural gas and for delivering natural gas are disclosed. A regulator comprising a vortex tube may be used to reduce the pressure of compressed natural gas while a temperature thereof is also reduced. The temperature reduction associated with a pressure drop in the compressed natural gas is achieved by throttling the gas at constant enthalpy from 3,000 PSIG to 150 PSIG through the regulator. At least one heat exchanger may be utilized to increase the temperature of the compressed natural gas to a temperature suitable for injection delivery. A pressure-reducing regulator may be used to further reduce a pressure of the gas to about 45 PSIG for delivery to an end-user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Questar Gas Company
    Inventors: Todd Allan Bayliff, Troy David Sorensen, Michael Lowell Gill, Richard Joseph Kiser, II, Kelly D. Pace, Lee R. Mettmann
  • Publication number: 20130333397
    Abstract: Facilities for offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating storage with jack-up platform regasification unit, the facilities including: a jack-up unit comprising legs which have bottom part to be fixable to a sea bed and top part to be exposed to a surface of water, and a hull to be movable up and down with respect to the legs; a storage unit moored at the jack-up unit providing a space for storing LNG; a regasification unit as a module which regasifies the LNG supplied from the storage unit, installed on a top portion of the jack-up unit, separable from the jack-up unit; a utility unit comprising a power source and a sea water pump to supply power and sea water to the regasification unit; and a piping unit comprising unloading pipe for connecting the regasification unit and the storage unit and supplying pipe for carrying natural gas gasified by the regasification unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung C&T Corporation
    Inventors: Ki Ho Moon, Kwang Ho Wi, Seong Min Yang, Ho Joon Shin, Su Hyuk An, Kil Hong Kim, Heon Joong Jung, Jae Hyuk Jang, Chul Jin Moon, Jae Heon Lee, Hyun Sang Cho, Sung Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 8607580
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for regasification of LNG to form natural gas using ambient air as the primary source of heat are described. LNG is directed to flow through an ambient air vaporizer to form a natural gas stream through direct heat exchange between the LNG and ambient air. The temperature of the natural gas stream is adjusted to suit a predetermined delivery temperature in a trim heater exchanging heat with a circulating intermediate fluid. The intermediate fluid is directed to flow through an ambient air heater such that the intermediate fluid exchanges heat with ambient air. Heat transfer between the ambient air and the LNG is assisted using one or more force draft fans to direct the flow of ambient air over the ambient air heater and the ambient air vaporizer in turn to dry the ambient air before it arrives at the ambient air vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Woodside Energy Ltd.
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Patent number: 8584473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus, especially for cryogenically preserving biological samples, comprising a duct (5) for delivering a coolant (3) to a cooling chamber (1), a heater (6) that has an adjustable first heating performance (P2) for heating the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), a first temperature sensor (8-10) for measuring the temperature (T2-T4) in the cooling chamber (1), a second temperature sensor (7) for measuring the temperature (T1) of the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), and a regulator (11) for regulating the temperature. Said regulator (11) is embodied as a multiple regulator which detects several temperatures (T1-T4) as control variables and/or adjusts several heating performances (P1, P2) as manipulated variables. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung, e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Schon, Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr
  • Patent number: 8505312
    Abstract: LNG vapor from an LNG storage vessel is absorbed using C3 and heavier components provided by a fractionator that receives a mixture of LNG vapors and the C3 and heavier components as fractionator feed. In such configurations, refrigeration content of the LNG liquid from the LNG storage vessel is advantageously used to condense the LNG vapor after separation. Where desired, a portion of the LNG liquid may also be used as fractionator feed to produce LPG as a bottom product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Mak, Richard B. Nielsen, Curt Graham
  • Patent number: 8468839
    Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen (PLOX) unit and method of filling. The LOX unit includes a LOX container. An inlet line communicates LOX from a LOX supply to an the LOX container, and an outlet line communicates LOX from the LOX container ultimately for consumption by a user. A vent line communicate the interior of the LOX container to ambient atmosphere. A vent valve is coupled to the vent line to selectively communicate the LOX container to the ambient atmosphere. An auto shutoff assembly is associated with vent line to substantially block the vent line when the LOX in the LOX container reaches a predetermined level. A reset element associated with the auto shutoff assembly causes at least a portion of the auto shutoff assembly to unblock the vent line for subsequent filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Whitcher, Robert J. Maddox, Jr., Joseph T. Dolensky
  • Patent number: 8459241
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas system for a natural gas vehicle engine with flow driven by the engine includes dual flow paths through at least one heat exchanger. A return path extends from the dual flow paths to the storage tank, and an engine feed path extends from the dual flow paths configured to couple to the engine. A valve and control system are coupled to the dual flow paths capable of alternating flow through the dual flow paths so that one flow path supplies the engine through the engine feed path while the other flow path pressurizes the storage tank through the return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Northstar, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dixon, Mark Oldham, Kenny Oldham
  • Patent number: 8448673
    Abstract: A method and system for transporting fluid is described. The method includes coupling a transit vessel to a terminal vessel associated with at least one terminal. The transit vessel and the terminal vessel are coupled at an open sea or lightering location, which may be selected based upon operational conditions. Then, cryogenic fluid is transferred between the transit vessel and the terminal vessel, while the transit vessel and terminal vessel are moving in substantially the same direction. Once the transfer is complete, the terminal vessel decouples from the transit vessel and moves a terminal to provide the cryogenic fluid to the terminal. The cryogenic fluid may include liquefied natural gas (LNG) and/or liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Danaczko, Mark C. Gentry, Robert E. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 8448454
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that expand environmental support for an HVAC system with an HVAC fluid circulating throughout by vaporizing a cryogen; and sparging the vaporized cryogen to dispense sparge bubbles to the HVAC fluid to cool the HVAC fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Boyd Bowdish, John Hammerman
  • Publication number: 20130111928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved heat transfer device and process, such as the heat exchanger included in a process for vaporizing cryogenic fluids industrial gas supply systems. The system having a water bath and heat exchange tube bundle disposed therein operating to vaporize and superheat industrial liquefied gases including fuel gases. Water contained in a tank transfers heat to the bundle by natural convection without benefit of forced water circulation. The water is heated by means such as steam, combustion processes or electric heat and a heat exchange tube bundle submerged within the water tank is used to vaporize and superheat liquefied gas, which passes within the tubular elements of the heat exchange bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Robert E. Bernert, SR., Robert E. Bernert, JR.
  • Patent number: 8434325
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is heated to vaporize at least part of it, then expanded and supplied to a fractionation column at a first mid-column feed position. The gas stream is expanded and cooled, then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the fractionation column below the mid-column feed positions and directed in heat exchange relation with the LNG feed stream, cooling the distillation vapor stream as it supplies at least part of the heating of the LNG feed stream. The distillation vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, forming a condensed stream. At least a portion of the condensed stream is directed to the fractionation column as its top feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tony L. Martinez, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson, Kyle T. Cuellar
  • Patent number: 8429932
    Abstract: A method for selective extraction of natural gas liquids from “rich” natural gas. The method involves interacting a rich natural gas stream with Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) by mixing Liquid Natural Gas into the rich natural gas stream to lower the temperature of the rich natural gas stream to a selected hydrocarbon dew point, whereby a selected hydrocarbon liquid carried in the rich natural gas stream is condensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Patent number: 8402774
    Abstract: In apparatus to convert cryogenic fluid to gas, a vaporizer having passages to pass the cool or cold cryogenic fluid in heat transfer relation with warming gas flowing downwardly through the vaporizer, the vaporizer having surfaces on which ice collects and from which ice falls to the base of the vaporizer and collects in a pile, and removing fluid flow control means operating to direct flow of removing fluid at the ice pile with sufficient force to cause removal of such ice in the pile relative to the vaporizer base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cryoquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8381544
    Abstract: A method of altering the heating value of a liquefied natural gas by adding higher heating value components is disclosed. A portion of the liquefied natural gas is used to cool the higher heating value component stream prior to combining the higher heating value components with the liquefied natural gas to obtain a combined stream having a heating value greater than the liquefied natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: David A. Coyle
  • Patent number: 8375875
    Abstract: An LNG carrier having an LNG loading and unloading system includes a submerged turret loading (STL) system for introducing and discharging a natural gas; a liquefaction plant for liquefying the natural gas introduced through the submerged turret loading system into a cryogenic liquefied natural gas; at least one self-supporting storage tank installed in the LNG carrier for storing the liquefied natural gas, the self-supporting storage tank arranged in such a manner that the liquefied natural gas is loaded to and unloaded from the LNG carrier through the self-supporting storage tank; and at least one membrane type storage tank arranged in a neighboring relationship with the self-supporting storage tank, the membrane type storage tank kept in fluid communication with the self-supporting storage tank. The LNG carrier further includes a regasification plant for regasifying the liquefied natural gas stored in the self-supporting storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chull Yun Kim, Man Heui Ahn, Dong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8356487
    Abstract: A method of vaporizing liquefied natural gas includes passing liquefied natural gas through a submerged combustion vaporizer having a water bath at a bath temperature and a burner to provide a vaporized gas output at a send-out temperature, drawing water from the bath of the submerged combustion vaporizer and supplying it to an atmospheric heating tower having an ambient air temperature, returning water from the atmospheric heating tower to the bath of the submerged combustion vaporizer, modulating the operating rate of the burner of the submerged combustion vaporizer, and modulating the operating rate of the atmospheric heating tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: SPX Cooling Technologies, Selas Fluid Processing Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Dendy, Peter W. Falcone, Glenn S. Brenneke, Eldon F. Mockry
  • Publication number: 20120317998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for increasing the enthalpy of a medium, in which energy is withdrawn from a first heat carrier (W) consisting of a first flue gas (5) and a second heat carrier (W) comprising water and flue gas and, in each case, is transmitted to the medium via indirect heat exchange, wherein a second flue gas (3) is injected into a water-containing system of matter for formation of the second heat carrier (W). The first heat carrier (9) that is cooled against the medium is used for formation of the second heat carrier (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENSGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Fokke Bokker
  • Publication number: 20120317997
    Abstract: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is converted to a superheated fluid at a temperature greater than 5° C. by being passed under pressure through a train of first, second and third main heat exchange stages in series, in which the natural gas is heated by a circulating heat exchange fluid flowing in heat exchange circuits. The heat exchange fluid condenses in the first and second heat exchange stages and is partially vaporised in subsidiary heat exchangers which may be heated by sea water flowing in open cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Cryostar SAS
    Inventors: Josef Pozivil, David De Nardis
  • Patent number: 8283080
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one electricity generating unit for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, a reformer for reforming fuel to generate hydrogen gas to be supplied to the electricity generating unit, a fuel supply apparatus for absorbing a liquid fuel stored in a fuel reservoir and supplying the fuel to the reformer and an oxygen supply source for supplying oxygen to the electricity generating unit. The fuel supply apparatus employs an absorber with capillary channels in which osmotic pressure is produced due to a concentration differential caused by thermal energy. The osmotic pressure allows the fuel to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hun Lee, Kyu-Nam Han, Ho-Jin Kweon
  • Patent number: 8238988
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly and method of cooling a superconducting magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ernst Wolfgang Stautner
  • Patent number: 8197760
    Abstract: Provided are a heat medium heating-cooling apparatus and a heat medium temperature control method, which can control the heat medium temperature stably and more efficiently. The heat medium heating-cooling apparatus includes a heat medium heating unit (12) as well as a bypass line (19) thereof with switching valves 20a, 20b switching the direction of a flow of the heat medium to the heat medium heating unit or the bypass line. Decisions are made based on the present temperature (PV) in a reactor (11), a preset target temperature (SV), stable temperature range (?) and control switching temperature (?). According to the resulted four decisions of “stable heating”, “stable cooling”, “inclined heating” and “inclined cooling”, the temperature control according to either of the heating control at a heating control unit or the cooling control at a cooling control unit is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Akai, Masahiro Yonekura, Masahiro Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8191584
    Abstract: On cold filling of pressure containers the filling gas is cooled before introduction into the pressure container to be filled. On completion of the filling process the pressure container is sealed in a pressure-tight manner. As the gas warms up the pressure in the pressure container rises rapidly. According to the invention, the pressure container is cooled before the introduction of the filling gas. The filling gas cools rapidly by means of heat transfer to the pressure container, whereby the filling capacity of the pressure container is considerably increased. Said method is particularly suitable for the filling of small tanks, in particular, for gas-driven vehicles and fuel-cell systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Martin Kesten, Friedel Michel
  • Patent number: 8186170
    Abstract: An LNG terminal is disclosed which includes an offshore mooring turret, an LNG storage vessel operatively coupled to the mooring turret, the LNG storage vessel including at least one LNG storage tank for the storage of liquid natural gas and a regasification vessel operatively coupled to the LNG storage vessel. A method of operating an offshore LNG terminal is also disclosed which includes obtaining liquefied natural gas from at least one LNG storage tank on an LNG storage vessel that is operatively coupled to a mooring turret, regasifying the liquefied natural gas from the LNG storage vessel using a regasification vessel operatively coupled to the LNG storage vessel, and supplying the regasified gas to at least one subsea pipeline via the mooring turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sofec, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Terry Boatman, Yonghui Liu
  • Publication number: 20120102979
    Abstract: A cryogenic fog generator is provided which includes a container having an interior in which liquid cryogen is disposed; an opening in the container from which the liquid cryogen can flow from the interior out of the container; a surface area upon which the flow of liquid cryogen is received; an ultrasonic transducer disposed proximate the opening for coacting with the surface area to transmit ultrasonic energy to the surface area and the liquid cryogen for providing a cryogenic fog. A method of producing a cryogenic fog is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Michael D. NEWMAN
  • Patent number: 8151834
    Abstract: A hydrogen compressor system comprises a hydrogen generating apparatus for generating hydrogen gas to be supplied to a fuel cell vehicle and a multi-stage reciprocating compressor for pressurizing the hydrogen gas generated by the hydrogen generating apparatus. High pressure tanks having maximum use pressure of 20 MPa are connected to middle stages of the multi-stage reciprocating compressor by gas supplying lines via valves. By opening/closing the valves, hydrogen gas in the high pressure tanks can be selectively supplied to the middle stages of the multi-stage reciprocating compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kurita, Shigeru Arai, Akinori Akanuma, Youichirou Fukai, Haruo Miura
  • Patent number: 8117851
    Abstract: A liquefied gas supply system and method can supply the liquefied gas in a plurality of liquefied gas containers uniformly to supply huge amount of gas constantly. A liquefied gas supply system comprises a plurality of liquefied gas containers 1, a detector 2 installed in each of the containers 1 to detect a volume of liquefied gas contained in each of the containers 1, a heating device 3 installed on each of the container 1 and a control device 7 to process information obtained by each of the detectors 2 and control each of the heating devices 3. The control device 7 controls each of the heating devices 3 based on a value obtained by overall processing of the information obtained by each of the detectors 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8113006
    Abstract: A system for cryogenic storage and delivery of fuel, particularly for supplying an internal-combustion engine driving a motor vehicle, includes at least a cryotank having an inner reservoir for receiving the cryogenic medium, which inner reservoir is held in a heat-insulated manner in an outer reservoir, a coolable cooling shield between the inner reservoir and the outer reservoir of the cryotank, and a heat sink. As a thermal-energy storage device, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the cooling shield. A filling and removal device has at least one pipe penetrating the outer reservoir and leading into the inner reservoir. At least for the filling with or for the removal of cryogenic medium, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the pipe for the cryogenic medium, in order to reduce the entry of heat from the environment into the inner reservoir while emitting heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Rech, Achim Baier, Markus Amsz, Tobias Brunner, Thomas Hagler, Oliver Kircher, Gregor Fischer
  • Publication number: 20120017639
    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: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward R. Peterson, Thomas A. Rolfe
  • Publication number: 20120007703
    Abstract: A current lead assembly includes a current lead having an end, at least one heat station thermally coupled to the end, a cryogen-flow path extending through the heat station and comprising at least one connection, and a cryogen generation source fluidly coupled to the cryogen-flow path through the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Yan Zhao, Xianrui Huang, Anbo Wu, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Paul St. Mark Shadforth Thompson, Chao Yang, Jun Pan, Susumu Mine
  • Publication number: 20110314839
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Brook, Valerie LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8069678
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other cryogenic liquids on a continuous basis utilizing improved atmospheric air vaporizer heat exchangers of the vertical single pass and parallel connected type. A multiplicity of such heat exchangers is positioned on a defined grid, such as to improve the natural convection of the ambient air heat source. An improved heat exchange system includes heat exchange elements within the heat exchangers comprised of hybrid externally finned elements, smooth interior stainless steel tubes thermally bonded within the externally finned elements, the tubes containing vortex generators. Flow distributors in the form of venturi shaped injectors are positioned at the inlet of each tube of the multiplicity of heat exchangers of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Robert E. Bernert
  • Patent number: 8069885
    Abstract: A service station, in particular a hydrogen service station for filling a motor vehicle with a gaseous and/or a liquid medium, in particular with gaseous or liquid hydrogen, is disclosed. The station includes a) a reservoir for storing a liquid medium, b) a liquid medium dispensing unit which is supplied with the liquid medium from the reservoir, c) a compressor, an evaporator, a heating system, and an intermediate reservoir for intermediate storage of a compressed gaseous medium, d) a gaseous medium dispensing unit mounted downstream of the intermediate reservoir, e) a fuel cell which is supplied by the gaseous medium coming from the reservoir and/or the intermediate reservoir and supplies power to the compressor, and f) a control unit which is powered by the fuel cell and used for controlling the compressor, the gaseous medium dispensing unit and/or the liquid medium dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Kederer, Henning Tomforde
  • Patent number: 8069677
    Abstract: Liquefied natural gas is regasified to form natural gas, including circulation of an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer and an ambient air heater, where the intermediate fluid is warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, and the intermediate fluid is cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer. The ambient air heater is subjected to a defrosting cycle by intermittently regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Woodside Energy Ltd.
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Publication number: 20110289940
    Abstract: A process for the vaporization of a cryogenic liquid is disclosed. The process may include: combusting a fuel in a burner to produce an exhaust gas; admixing ambient air and the exhaust gas to produce a mixed gas; contacting the mixed gas via indirect heat exchange with a cryogenic liquid to vaporize the cryogenic liquid. Also disclosed is a system for vaporization of a cryogenic liquid. The system may include: one or more burners for combusting a fuel to produce an exhaust gas; one or more inlets for admixing ambient air with the exhaust gas to produce a mixed gas; and one or more heat transfer conduits for indirectly heating a fluid with the mixed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Baozhong Zhao, Mohamed B. Tolba, Howard F. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20110289941
    Abstract: A power plant including an apparatus for regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is provided. The apparatus includes a compressor configured to pressurize a working fluid and a heat recovery system configured to provide heat to a working fluid. A turbine is configured to generate work utilizing the heated working fluid. One or more heat exchangers are configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to a first stage liquefied natural gas at a first pressure and at least one of a second stage liquefied natural gas at a second pressure, and a compressed working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Matthias Finkenrath, Johannes Eckstein, Clarissa Sara Katharina Belloni
  • Patent number: 8037694
    Abstract: A floating system for liquefying natural gas comprising a vessel provided with a plant for liquefying natural gas having an inlet for natural gas and an outlet for liquefied natural gas, a feed supply system for supplying natural gas to the inlet of the plant, one or more storage tanks for storing liquefied natural gas, and an off-loading system for transporting liquefied natural gas between the storage tank(s) and a tanker, which floating system further comprises a vaporization system having an inlet for liquefied gas and an outlet for vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: David Bertil Runbalk
  • Patent number: 8033254
    Abstract: A submerged combustion vaporizer may include a premix burner with multiple integral mixers for forming premix and discharging the premix into the duct system that communicates the burner with the sparger tubes. The SCV may further include a NOx suppression system that injects a staged fuel stream into the exhaust in the duct system, and/or a NOx suppression system that mixes water with the premix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fives North American Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Hannum, Thomas F. Robertson, John N. Newby, John J. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 8028724
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Jung Ho Choi, Sung Kon Han, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Sik Moon
  • Publication number: 20110225986
    Abstract: This invention relates to gas vaporization and supply system that includes (a) a vessel suitable for holding a bulk quantity of a liquefied gas; (b) at least one heating source positioned on or near the vessel to supply energy to, or remove energy from, the liquefied gas; and (c) a heating source controller adapted to use process variables feedback for dynamically regulating the heating source and maintaining and regulating gas output. The process variables feedback results from cascading sequence control of at least two process variables. The process variables include pressure, temperature, and/or gas output flow rate. This invention also relates to a method for delivery of a gas, e.g., ultra high purity gases, from a liquefied state in a controlled manner to a usage site, e.g., a semiconductor manufacturing facility. This invention provides faster heating system response to fluctuations in customer demand, a longer heater life, and improved reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Justin Cole Germond, Kenneth Leroy Burgers, Christos Sarigiannidis, Michael Dennis McCain, Keith Randall Pace, Heng Zhu, Hisham E. Falah
  • Publication number: 20110185748
    Abstract: Liquefied natural gas is stored, for example, on board ship, in a battery 2 of storage tanks 4, 6, 8 and 10. Submerged pumps 16 are used to transfer the LNG to secondary storage vessel 22. The pressure of the LNG is raised and it is transferred from the secondary vessel 22 to a forced vaporiser 36, in which it is vaporised. The outlet pressure of each submerged pump 16 may be relatively low and the apparatus may be operated either intermittently or continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20110146302
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and related method for a thermoacoustic refrigeration system are provided, which includes a warm end of the heat exchanger, a cryogen passing through the warm end to remove heat generated by a thermoacoustic wave generator, and a cool end through which a cooling medium passes to be cooled by the heat transfer at the warm end, wherein cryogenic gas is exhausted from the warm end, and a cooling gas is exhausted from the cool end at a lower temperature than a temperature of the warm end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. Newman, Stephen A. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20110132429
    Abstract: A system for using the waste heat produced from the production of liquefied or solidified heat sink refrigerant in the production of fuel that includes a liquefied or solidified heat sink refrigerant production system, a fuel production system, and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Jay Stephen Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20110083470
    Abstract: A method and system for producing an oxygen product stream in which sensible heat from a compressed air stream is indirectly exchanged with a vaporized pumped liquid oxygen stream in a main heat exchanger and latent heat is exchanged in an auxiliary heat exchanger connected to the main heat exchanger. The latent heat exchange produces subcooled liquid air that is fed into a low pressure column of the air separation plant and vaporization of the pumped liquid. Part of the subcooled liquid air can be withdrawn from the auxiliary heat exchanger at a higher temperature than the remainder of the subcooled liquid air. All or part of the subcooled liquid air can be further cooled within the main heat exchanger. As a result, low temperature, subcooled liquid air is produced that allows for an increased oxygen recovery and also, argon recovery if an argon column is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Edwin Rooks
  • Publication number: 20110083448
    Abstract: A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/?0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MUSTANG SAMPLING LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Thompson, Walter F. Grehold
  • Publication number: 20110056217
    Abstract: A portable gas filling system for transfer of cryogenic fluids to high pressure gas cylinders includes a moveable platform, a cryogenic fluid pump for connection to an off platform cryogenic fluid Dewar, and a vaporizer for connection between the fluid pump and gas cylinders. A vacuum pump is provided for purging of interconnecting system lines and a gas accumulator interconnected to the system lines enables storage of gas to pressurize the Dewar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: CRAIG FENNESSY, DUANE BERGMANN
  • Publication number: 20110041518
    Abstract: A method and system of storing and transporting gases comprising mixing the gases with liquid natural gas to form a mixture. The mixture is a liquid-liquid mixture or slurry, and is stored in vessel configured for maintaining the mixture at a first location. The mixture is transported to a second location for storage in vessel for maintaining the mixture. The mixture is removed from the second location storage vessel for separation and use in additional processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward R. Peterson, Thomas A. Rolfe