With Vaporizing Of Liquified Gas Downstream Of Storage Patents (Class 62/50.2)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7891324
    Abstract: A heater and a method for heating a circulating liquid in a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger and an indirect heat exchanger to produce a hot liquid stream for use for heat exchange in a selected process to supply heat to the process. One particularly useful application of the present invention is the revaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta
  • Publication number: 20110030391
    Abstract: A process and corresponding apparatus for regasifying a cryogenic liquid to gaseous form includes a process step and suitable structure to transfer heat from ambient air to the cryogenic liquid across a heat transfer surface by circulating the cryogenic liquid or an intermediate fluid through an atmospheric vaporizer, where the ambient air and the cryogenic fluid or intermediate fluid are not in direct contact; and a process step and suitable structure to mechanically scrape an external portion of the heat transfer surface exposed to the atmosphere to remove frost from the external portion of the heat transfer surface, where defrosting is achieved without the need to discontinue circulating the cryogenic fluid or the intermediate fluid through the atmospheric vaporizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Woodside Energy Limited
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Publication number: 20110023501
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for reliable ultra-high purity (UHP) helium gas supply and maintaining dedicated onsite inventory. Specifically, the invention employs multiple ISO containers whereby vaporized UHP helium in the standby ISO container(s) is used to build-up pressure in the online ISO container. The thermal shields of the ISO containers can be used to decrease heat leaks into the backup ISO container thereby decreasing helium vaporation rate and the amount of gas needed to be withdrawn in order to maintain the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of the vessel. An even lower supply rate is possible by drawing UHP helium gas using an economizer valve but maintaining liquid in the ISO container. This makes it possible to efficiently manage the supply rate, from low flows to higher flow requirements, and to optimize UHP helium draw rate from the storage vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Robert SCHULTE, John Joseph BYRNE, Michael Clinton JOHNSON, Shrikar CHAKRAVARTI, Kwamina BEDU-AMISSAH
  • Publication number: 20110011329
    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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chull Yun Kim, Man Heui Ahn, Dong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 7870747
    Abstract: In the method of using ambient air to vaporize liquefied gas, the steps include transferring heat from a stream of ambient air to a stream of liquefied gas, thereby cooling the air stream, and vaporizing the liquid; transferring heat from a source into the cooled air stream; and then discharging the heated air stream to atmosphere, sufficient heat being transferred to obviate objectionable fog production resulting from step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cryoquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7870759
    Abstract: In a process for supplying a pressurized gas, a pressurized gas at a high production pressure is produced as an end product by separating a gaseous mixture in a separator apparatus (3, 5), a liquid to be pressurized is stored in a store (9), storing liquid is tapped, and it is pressurized with a pump (11) and at least part of the pressurized liquid is sprayed in a sprayer (27) to produce the pressurized backup gas (29) having substantially the same pressure or a pressure higher than the pressurized gas to be produced, liquid is circulated in a substantially vertical duct (13), optionally within the cold box (33) of the separator apparatus, and at least part of the duct length is at a level above the sprayer and before and/or after starting up the pump (11), liquid is sent from the duct to the sprayer where the liquid is sprayed to provide pressurized backup gas having substantially the same purity or a purity higher than the pressurized gas to be produced (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Peyron
  • Publication number: 20100319361
    Abstract: A first liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a first source and a second liquefied hydrocarbon stream is provided from a second source. The second liquefied hydrocarbon stream has been liquefied by cooling solely against a first cooled nitrogen-based stream. The first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams are gasified to produce a gasified hydrocarbon stream, thereby cooling a gaseous nitrogen-based stream against the gasifying first and second liquefied hydrocarbon streams to provide a second cooled nitrogen-based stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Francois Chantant, Wiveka Jacoba Elion, Casper Krijno Groothuis
  • Publication number: 20100313578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for vaporising a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquefied natural gas that comprises the following steps: supplying heat from ambient air to a heat-transfer intermediate fluid in a first heat exchanger (3); supplying heat from said intermediate fluid to the cryogenic fluid in a second heat exchanger (5) in order to vaporise the cryogenic fluid. The intermediate fluid is fed into the second heat exchanger (5) after being compressed, and is fed into the first heat exchanger (3) after the expansion thereof in order to prevent rime formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: GEA Batignolles Technologies Thermiques
    Inventors: Herveline Robidou, Nicolas Bariteau
  • Patent number: 7841288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas composition. The composition contains methane, ethane and propane and butane. The composition contains a substantial amount of butane while being substantially free of hydrocarbon molecules larger than butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7832365
    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: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fives North American Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Hannum, Thomas F. Robertson, John N. Newby, John J. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 7832216
    Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a cooled equipment, comprising: a cryogen vessel (10) housing the cooled equipment; a gaseous cryogen filling the cryogen vessel; a refrigerator (12) having a cooling surface exposed to the interior of the cryogen vessel (10) so as to cool the gaseous cryogen; and a gas current generator arranged to cause circulation of the gaseous cryogen freely within the cryogen vessel, such that the gaseous cryogen is cooled by the refrigerator, and is warmed by heat from the cooled equipment, thereby cooling the cooled equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventor: Eugene Astra
  • Publication number: 20100263389
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dockside regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are described herein. The methods include providing LNG from a LNG carrier to a regasification vessel. The LNG may be regasified on the regasification vessel. The regasified natural gas may be discharged with a high pressure arm to a dock and delivered onshore. The regasification vessel may be moored to the dock. The LNG carrier may be moored to the regasification vessel or the dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: EXCELERATE ENERGY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Robert Allen Bryngelson, Mark Lane, Edward Scott, Jonathan Cook
  • Publication number: 20100242499
    Abstract: A method for re-gasification of liquid natural gas involves positioning a storage vessel (22) for liquid natural gas at a facility (12) that has at least one refrigeration unit (48) with circulating fluid heat transfer medium. A second step involves providing at least one heat exchanger (24). A heat exchange takes place during circulation through the heat exchanger between the liquid natural gas and the circulating fluid heat transfer medium which raises the temperature of the liquid natural gas changing it from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase in preparation for consumption and which lowers the temperature of the circulating fluid heat transfer medium in preparation for use in the at least one refrigeration unit (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Publication number: 20100229573
    Abstract: A floating LNG storage and re-gasification unit, which comprises a LNG storage tank (2), a power plant (3), and a vaporizing unit (5), which power plant is arranged to generate heat for the vaporizing unit. The power plant (3) comprises a number of heat sources, which are connected to a single heating circuit (4). In order to increase the overall efficiency of said unit, the single heating circuit is directly or indirectly connected to the vaporizing unit (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Markus Ehrström
  • Publication number: 20100212330
    Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen medical delivery system including a portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus and a portable liquid oxygen recharger. The portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus contains an initial quantity of liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen delivery apparatus is sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory patient and has a fill port for receiving liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen recharger stores a supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen and is also sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory individual. The liquid oxygen recharger has an interface for interfacing the liquid oxygen recharger with the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus for delivering the supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen to the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: ROY A. HUGHES, JONATHAN C. MCLELLAN, Margaret McLellan
  • Publication number: 20100192597
    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: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: EXCELERATE ENERGY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Alan B. Nierenberg
  • Publication number: 20100186426
    Abstract: A method of transporting natural gas by cooling and pressurizing retained natural gas to liquefy the retained natural gas within a fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100170268
    Abstract: A system for delivering vapor phase fluid at an elevated pressure from a transport vessel containing liquefied or two-phase fluid is provided. The system includes: (a) a transport vessel positioned in a substantially horizontal position; (b) one or more energy delivery elements disposed on the lower portion of the transport vessel wherein the energy delivery devices include a heating means and a first insulation means, wherein the energy delivery devices are configured to the contour of the transport vessel; (c) one or more substantially rigid support devices disposed on the outer periphery of the energy delivery devices, wherein the support devices hold the energy delivery devices in thermal contact with a lower portion of the transport vessel; and (d) one or more attaching devices secure the rigid support devices onto the transport vessel and hold the energy delivery devices between the substantially rigid support device and a wall of the transport vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: MARTIN LEE TIMM, Thomas John Bergman, JR., Justin Cole Germond, Keith Randall Pace, Kenneth Leroy Burgers, Michael Clinton Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100162729
    Abstract: A refrigeration process including supplying chilled CO2 liquid into a refrigeration chamber, flashing the chilled CO2 liquid into gaseous CO2 and solid CO2 for providing a cooling elect within the refrigeration chamber, and exhausting CO2 gas from the refrigeration chamber, wherein fresh CO2 liquid passes through a tube-side of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger prior to entering the refrigeration chamber as chilled CO2 liquid and the exhaust CO2 gas passes through a shell-side of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger after exiting the refrigeration chamber, thereby pre-cooling the liquid CO2 prior to entering the refrigeration chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen A. McCormick, Michael D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100154439
    Abstract: A cooling system employs a single-acting positive displacement bellows pump to transfer a cryogenic liquid such as liquid nitrogen from a storage dewar to a heat exchanger coupled to a measurement chamber of an instrument, wherein cooling takes place by vaporizing the liquid. Preferably, the capacity of the pump is greater than the maximum cooling requirement of the instrument, wherein both vapor resulting from vaporizing of the cryogenic liquid circulated through the heat exchanger and liquid that does not vaporize when circulated through the heat exchanger are returned to the storage dewar, wherein the vapor is subsequently vented from the dewar. Preferably, with the aid of a weir in a return line, the level of liquid in the heat exchanger is maintained full and constant, and the cooling demands are automatically met without the need for other control of the flow rate or level of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: WATERS INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert L. Danley, Patrick Traini
  • Publication number: 20100154471
    Abstract: The process of treating imported heating grade source LNG to form engine fuel grade LNG, and/or produce power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Ross M. Brown, Irina Dean, George B. Narinsky
  • Publication number: 20100154440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in an LNG re-gasification system comprising a suction drum wherein said suction drum is sectionised by one or more baffles wherein said baffles are perforated. The invention further relates to a system and a process for use in re-gasification of LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Moss Maritime AS
    Inventors: Roy Inge Sørensen, Ellen Marie Kvam
  • Publication number: 20100146993
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using liquid nitrogen to render crises safe, as in circumstances of hostage crises, entering Methamphetamine labs, purging the accumulating toxic or flammable gases, ending the dispersal of substances from aerosols and capturing the material dispersed by condensing it and sealing it in containers for disposal, picking up spills by solidifying them or gelling the material and containing it for disposal—this includes Mercury spills, sealing and repairing broken pipes and dikes and dams, enabling a combustion engine to quit running, strengthening levee structures by freezing the core for the length of the levee or sandbag structure when severe crises occur, rapid cooling lava flows to structure the solid lava formation to something useful in that location, purging the coalmine fire environment of Oxygen to quell the long-term blaze while cooling subterranean structure to below freezing causing water crystals to loosen structure, treating industrial stack gas to capture acidics and use
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Denyse Claire DuBrucq
  • Publication number: 20100146971
    Abstract: LNG is regasified with concurrent power production in systems and methods where the refrigeration content of the LNG condenses a low pressure working fluid vapor and in which the combined refrigeration content of the warmed LNG and low pressure working fluid condensate condenses an intermediate pressure working fluid vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 7735506
    Abstract: A method for storing a gas. In some embodiments, the method includes positioning a gas storage system under water, the gas storage system having a gas inlet and injecting gas through the gas inlet into the gas storage system, wherein the gas is compressed. The method may further include venting the compressed gas through the at least one gas port to a storage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Horton, III, James V. Maher
  • Publication number: 20100126187
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20100126186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating gaseous hydrocarbon stream from a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (10) such as liquefied natural gas, the method at least comprising the steps of: a) feeding a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (10) at an inlet (21) of a storage tank (2) to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon in the storage tank (2); b) removing at least a part (40) from the liquefied hydrocarbon from the storage tank (2) to provide a removed liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40); c) passing at least a part of the removed liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40) to a line (10, 20) downstream of an expander (4) and upstream of the inlet (21) of the storage tank (2); d) generating and removing a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (50, 60) as fuel gas. The method according to the present invention is particularly suitable for starting up a liquefaction plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Michael Marriott, Chun Kit Poh
  • Patent number: 7721770
    Abstract: A method for operating a device for filling a tank for storing fuel as condensed gas for a consumer that can be operated with cryogenically stored fuel. Included is at least one filling line and one extraction line for connecting to a filling device on a gas-station-side. In a first time period for cooling the tank, the condensed gas is introduced into the tank, at least the large part is extracted again in the form of gas via the extraction line, and in a second subsequent time period, the tank is filled with condensed gas at the same time as at least the displaced gas is extracted. In a subsequent third time period, the filling line is closed and the extraction line is maintained open in order to guide the gas from the tank back until the pressure and/or the temperature in the tank is/are lowered to defined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Fischer, Robert Barnsteiner, Johann Schnagl
  • Publication number: 20100122542
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for adjusting heating value of natural gas, wherein components having high heating value are separated from natural gas consisting of various hydrocarbon components to reduce heating value of natural gas supplied to the markets. The method includes heating liquefied natural gas (LNG), separating the LNG heated and partially gasified into a gaseous component having low heating value and a liquid component having high heating value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Kyu Choi, Young Sik Moon, Jae Wan Ahn, Jung Han Lee, Jae Ryu Bae
  • Patent number: 7712331
    Abstract: A system is set forth to increase the capacity of an LNG-based liquefier in a cryogenic air separation unit wherein, in a low production mode, the nitrogen that is fed to the LNG-based liquefier consists only of at least a portion of the high pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system while in a high production mode, a supplemental compressor is used to boost the pressure of at least a portion of the low pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system to create additional (or replacement) feed to the LNG-based liquefier. A key to the present invention is the supplemental compressor and the associated heat exchange equipment is separate and distinct from the LNG-based liquefier. This allows its purchase to be delayed until a capacity increase is actually needed and thus avoid building an oversized liquefier based on a speculative increase in liquid product demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Dee, Jung Soo Choe, Donn Michael Herron
  • Publication number: 20100101240
    Abstract: Cryogenic fluid is vaporized using two sections of an ambient air vaporizer where in the first section ambient air is dehydrated at a temperature at or above freezing point of water using refrigeration content of partially heated cryogenic fluid, wherein the dehydrated air is used in the second section to form the partially heated cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20100083670
    Abstract: A method for vaporizing and heating a cryogenic fluid such as a liquefied natural gas, to a desired temperature in the ambient temperature range. The method comprises using an intermediate heat exchange fluid such as propane to heat the liquefied natural gas and to utilize the cold potential of the liquefied natural gas to produce power. The heat exchange fluid is heated by a heat source, such as warm or hot water available from an industrial process. The heat exchange fluid is pressurized and heated to form a heat exchange vapor. The heat exchange vapor is split into multiple streams that exchange heat with the cryogenic fluid in series fashion so that the cryogenic fluid is vaporized and heated to the desired temperature in stages using a common heat exchange fluid and heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Sunil Dutt, Crystal Elaine Ramon
  • Publication number: 20100074692
    Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) and delivering vaporized natural gas to a pipeline in fluid communication with onshore equipment and methods for importing LNG. In one embodiment, an open-sea berth import terminal includes a platform, which is fixed to the sea floor and includes two or more sets of berthing structures. LNG carriers berth at the open-sea berth import terminal to transfer LNG to a storage vessel moored at one of the berthing structures. LNG vaporization facilities, either on the storage vessel or the platform, vaporize the LNG prior to delivery to the pipeline. The storage vessel may include a barge or another LNG carrier. In other embodiments, the open-sea berth import terminal may have no storage facilities, but two LNG carriers may berth at the berthing structures to concurrently perform offloading operations, with one transferring LNG and the other performing other offloading operations to enhance operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark E Ehrhardt, William S. Mathews, Dawn L. Rymer, Paul W. Sibal, Robert E. Sandstrom, W. Brett Wilson, Mark A. Danaczko, Robert D. Denton, Robert E. Foglesong
  • Publication number: 20100043452
    Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a cryogenic fluid comprises a heat transfer fluid closed circulation loop at least partially defined by an ambient air heat exchanger, a heater, and a vaporizer. The heat exchanger is configured to direct air downward across a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. A cryogenic fluid flows through the vaporizer. The plurality of tubes comprise a first tube having a first fin of a height, h1, and a second tube spaced adjacent the first tube, where the second tube has a second fin of a height, h2, wherein h2 is different from h1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ned Baudat, Frank Patrick Ross, Randy Michael Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100043453
    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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20100015038
    Abstract: Provided is hydrogen supply equipment that, when switching hydrogen supplied to equipment using hydrogen from (i) hydrogen produced at a normal temperature or hydrogen stored at a normal temperature to (ii) hydrogen stored at a low temperature, supplies the equipment using hydrogen with normal hydrogen obtained by returning the hydrogen at the low temperature to a normal temperature and then passing this hydrogen through equipment for accelerating a conversion from parahydrogen to orthohydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dai Inoue, Takaaki Nagao, Hiroyuki Koide
  • Patent number: 7648569
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for injecting two-phase (gas+solid) carbon dioxide into a gas stream. Liquid carbon dioxide is cryogenically expanded into two-phase carbon dioxide, which is then injected into the center of the stream. An inerting gas is also injected into the stream along with the two-phase carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes George Claude
    Inventors: Dominique Bras, José Buil
  • Publication number: 20100005812
    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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: DANIEL A. WATTS, JASON A. GROW
  • Patent number: 7644676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas composition. The composition contains methane, ethane and propane and butane. The composition contains a substantial amount of butane while being substantially free of hydrocarbon molecules larger than butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20100000233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for vaporizing a liquid stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: a) feeding a heat transfer fluid to a first heat transfer zone (2), the heat transfer fluid being cycled in a closed circuit (4); b) feeding a liquid stream (20) to be vaporized to the first heat transfer zone (2); c) providing heat from the heat transfer fluid to the liquid stream across a heat transfer surface in the first heat transfer zone (2) thereby vaporizing the liquid stream and at least partially condensing the heat transfer fluid; d) removing the vaporized liquid stream (30); e) removing the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid and passing it to a second heat transfer zone (3); f) providing heat from ambient air to the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid across a heat transfer surface in the second heat transfer zone (3) thereby vaporizing the heat transfer fluid; g) recycling the vaporized heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer zone (2); wherein th
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Casper Krijno Groothuis, Irina Tanaeva
  • Publication number: 20100000252
    Abstract: This invention provides a means of loading, processing and conditioning raw production gas, production of CGL, storage, transport, and delivery of pipeline quality natural gas or fractionated products to market. The CGL transport vessel utilizes a pipe based containment system to hold more densely packed constituents of natural gas held within a light hydrocarbon solvent than it is possible to attain for natural gas alone under such conditions. The containment system is supported by process systems for loading and transporting the natural gas as a liquid and unloading the CGL from the containment system and then offloading it in the gaseous state. The system can also be utilized for the selective storage and transport of NGLs to provide a total service package for the movement of natural gas and associated gas production. The mode of storage is suited for both marine and land transportation and configured in modular form to suit a particular application and/or scale of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Ian Morris, Bruce Hall, Tolu Okikiolu, Cp Woodruff, Thomas Rigolo
  • Publication number: 20100000234
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the vaporization of a liquid hydrocarbon stream (110) such as LNG, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a partly condensed hydrocarbon feed stream (10) to a first gas/liquid separator (2); (b) separating the hydrocarbon feed stream (10) in the first gas/liquid separator (2) into a gaseous stream (20) and a liquid stream (30); (c) expanding the liquid stream (30) and feeding it (40) into a second gas/liquid separator (3); (d) expanding the gaseous stream (20) and feeding it into the second gas/liquid separator (3); (e) removing from the second gas/liquid separator (3) a gaseous stream (60) and feeding it (70) into a third gas/liquid separator (4); (f) separating the stream (70) thereby obtaining a liquid stream (80) and a gaseous stream (90); (g) feeding the liquid stream (80) into the second gas/liquid separator (3); and (h) removing from the second gas/liquid separator (3) a liquid stream (100, 100a); wherein the gaseous stream (60) is parti
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Eduard Coenraad Bras, Jill Hui Chiun Chieng, Akash Damodar Wani
  • Patent number: 7637112
    Abstract: An inexpensive heat exchanger is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is made up of a plurality of plates and each plate has at least one channel defined in the plate. The plates are stacked and bonded together to form a block having conduits for carrying fluids, and where each fluid is in thermal communication with the other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Phillip F. Daly
  • Publication number: 20090308083
    Abstract: In a method for filling a cryo-compressed tank of a motor vehicle with a cryogenic storage medium, such as hydrogen, which can be stored in the tank under absolute pressure values in an order of magnitude of 150 bar or more, the hydrogen is taken in the liquid state at a suitable saturation temperature under essentially ambient pressure from a large supply vessel. Following removal from the large supply vessel, the hydrogen is compressed essentially adiabatically with a cryo pump and then is introduced at super critical pressure (13 bar or more) into the cryo-compressed tank. Preferably beforehand it is also re-cooled to approximately 20 K passing it through a heat exchanger, disposed in the hydrogen, stored in the large supply vessel. Before filling with new storage medium, the residual storage medium, contained in the cryo-compressed tank, can be removed from the cryo-compressed tank and introduced into the large supply vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tobias BRUNNER
  • Patent number: 7624582
    Abstract: A coupling unit device for unloading of a ship, where the coupling unit comprises a hull and is arranged to be connected to the ship by means of a connecting element wherein the coupling unit is provided with an evaporator for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the required pipe elements for transporting liquefied natural gas from the ship to the evaporator, as well as the required pipe elements for transporting the evaporated gas from the evaporator to a pipe for onward transport. The coupling unit is free-floating and is arranged to maneuver itself to the ship during the connection and disconnection from the ship by means of its own propulsion machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Remora Technology AS, Torp Technology AS
    Inventors: Svein Borge Hellesmark, Claes W. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20090288426
    Abstract: A method for delivery of cryogenic combustible gases to users is described, where the combustible gas is kept in one or more storage tanks (10, 20) in a liquid state, such as LNG, as said number of tanks are arranged to be filled up after they are emptied at the delivery to the users, and where a conduit (22, 24) leads gas in liquid state by way of an evaporator to said users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Dag Lilletvedt, Tomas Fiksdal
  • Publication number: 20090282840
    Abstract: The present invention concerns systems for storing energy and using the stored energy to generate electrical energy or drive a propeller (505). In particular, the present invention provides a method of storing energy comprising: providing a gaseous input, producing a cryogen from the gaseous input; storing the cryogen; expanding the cryogen; using the expanded cryogen to drive a turbine (320) and recovering cold energy from the expansion of the cryogen. The present invention also provides a cryogenic energy storage system comprising: a source of cryogen; a cryogen storage facility (370); means for expanding the cryogen; a turbine (320) capable of being driven by the expanding cryogen; and means (340, 350) for recovering cold energy released during expansion of the cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: HIGHVIEW ENTERPRISES LIMITED
    Inventors: Haisheng Chen, Yulong Ding, Toby Peters, Ferdinand Berger
  • Publication number: 20090282836
    Abstract: Contemplated configurations and methods use first and second precoolers, preferably in alternating operation, to provide a combustion turbine with air at a temperature of 50° F., and more typically less than 32° F. and most typically less than 0° F. In such configurations and methods it is generally preferred that a heat transfer fluid circuit provides both, heated and cooled heat transfer fluid to thereby allow cooling and deicing of the precoolers. Most preferably, refrigeration is provided from an LNG regasification unit to form the cooled heat transfer fluid while heat from a power cycle (e.g., from surface condenser) is used to form the heated heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20090277188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger for a mobile refrigerated vehicle having a tank for liquefied gas comprising a pipe for accepting a flow of a liquefied gas and for the evaporation of at least one part of the liquefied gas, in conjunction with which the pipe, at least in sections, exhibits a longitudinal axis, and the heat exchanger comprises an inlet side for liquefied gas and an outlet side for at least partially evaporated gas, and in conjunction with which the outlet side is connected to an exhaust pipe in such a way as to permit a flow, in conjunction with which the pipe exhibits elements in its interior for the purpose of generating turbulences in the flow or a radial phase separation. The invention is characterized in that, with the help of the elements, the thickness of a gas interface layer on a wall of the pipe, which occurs as a result of vaporization of the gas, is reduced considerably, whereby the efficiency of the heat exchanger is increased considerably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Dirk Teegen, Franz Lurken, Helmut Henrich, Reinhard Kost