With Vaporizing Of Liquified Gas Downstream Of Storage Patents (Class 62/50.2)
  • Publication number: 20090277219
    Abstract: LNG is pumped to supercritical pressure and vaporized, preferably in an offshore location to thereby form a natural gas stream with an intermediate temperature. A first portion of that stream is then processed in an onshore location to remove at least some non-methane components to thereby form a lean LNG, which is then combined with a second portion of that stream to form a sales gas having desired chemical composition. The intermediate temperature and the split ratio of the gas stream in first and second portion are a function of the concentration of the non-methane components in the LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Mak, Curt Graham
  • Publication number: 20090272126
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: William S. Mathews, Mark E. Ehrhardt
  • Patent number: 7603867
    Abstract: The process that includes providing the following elements for treating source refrigerated LNG, a heat exchanger/condenser through which refrigerated LNG passes, a vaporizer receiving LNG from the heat exchanger/condenser to produce heating grade LNG product, a distillation column producing distillate condensed in the heat exchanger/condenser to produce vehicle grade LNG, some of which is returned to the distillation column, the distillation column having input of refrigerated LNG, the distillation column having a lower outlet through which produced C2+ is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Cryogenic Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7600396
    Abstract: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) or components thereof are used as working fluids in power generation cycles in a LNG regasification plant. Especially preferred plant configurations will be able to process LNG of different composition while generating on-spec pipeline gas, CNG, LNG vehicle fuel, and LPG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20090249798
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing efficiency of a gas turbine and a marine structure having the gas turbine are disclosed. The marine structure includes an ambient LNG vaporizer for regasifying cryogenic LNG via heat exchange with air and the gas turbine for generating electric power. The marine structure includes a moist-air mixing chamber disposed at an upstream side of the gas turbine, a condensed-water nozzle to spray condensed water, generated from air during the heat exchange in the LNG vaporizer, into the moist-air mixing chamber; and a cold air supply pipe to supply air, cooled by the heat exchange in the LNG vaporizer, to the gas turbine via the moist-air mixing chamber. The method reduces the temperature of air supplied to the gas turbine by condensed water or cold air generated during regasification of LNG through the ambient vaporizer in the marine structure, thereby increasing the efficiency of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090249830
    Abstract: A process for producing variable gaseous nitrogen and variable gaseous oxygen by air distillation, during a period of high demand for gaseous nitrogen and for gaseous oxygen, liquid nitrogen is drawn off from a storage vessel, the liquid nitrogen is vaporized by heat exchange with a first flow of compressed, purified and cooled air, the vaporized nitrogen is sent to the customer and the first flow of liquefied air produced by the heat exchange is sent to a liquefied air storage vessel, liquid oxygen is drawn off from a storage vessel, the liquid oxygen is vaporized by heat exchange with a second flow of compressed, purified and cooled air, the vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer and the second flow of liquefied air is sent to the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Patrick Le Bot
  • Publication number: 20090241557
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydrogen storage installation for feeding fuel cell (11) in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a liquid hydrogen tank including a light insulation shell made of foam (2) incorporating at least one metal screen (3, 4), and a gaseous hydrogen discharge circuit (8) connected to the hydrogen input of the fuel cell (11) and having at least one portion (14; 13) in thermal exchange relationship with the screen (3, 4), the latter being likewise placed in thermal exchange relationship with the cold part (16) of an electrical refrigerating machine (15) supplied with electric current by the fuel cell (11). The invention is applicable to motor vehicles powered by electric power of a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Alain Ravex, Laurent Allidieres
  • Publication number: 20090229276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the regasification of liquefied natural gas, the method at least comprising the steps of: a) removing liquefied natural gas (10) from a storage tank (2) using a first pump unit (3); b) passing the removed liquefied natural gas (20) to and feeding it into a second pump unit (4) at an inlet pressure; c) increasing the pressure of the liquefied natural gas in the second pump unit (4) thereby obtaining pressurized liquefied natural gas (50); d) vaporizing the pressurized liquefied natural gas (50) thereby obtaining gaseous natural gas (60); wherein the second pump unit (4) discharges the pressurized liquefied natural gas (50) at a pre-selected pressure value, regardless of the inlet pressure at the second pump unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Marc Alexander Rieder, David Bertil Runbalk, Alexander Emanuel Maria Straver
  • Patent number: 7584623
    Abstract: A device for supplying fuel to an onboard energy production installation (5) on a liquefied gas transport ship (1) from at least one liquefied gas tank (2) of the ship includes a liquid ejector (12) arranged in the tank in order to suck liquefied gas at the level of the bottom of the tank, a circulating pump (20) arranged above the tank, a liquid circuit (21, 22, 23, 24) connecting an outlet of the circulating pump to an inlet of the liquid ejector and an outlet of the liquid ejector to an inlet of the circulating pump to permit the closed-loop circulation of a stream of liquefied gas through the liquid ejector, and a feed line (28) connecting the liquid circuit to the energy production installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz
    Inventors: Laurent Spittael, Pascal Raynaud, Jacques Dhellemmes
  • Patent number: 7581410
    Abstract: In a cold test device for electronic components, there are a cryogenic fluid supply line (5) for supply of a liquid cryogenic fluid, an evaporator (9), a cryogenic fluid line (11) for transporting the gaseous cryogenic fluid to the electronic component (3), in the cryogenic fluid line (11) which transports the gaseous cryogenic fluid there being a volumetric flow regulator (13, 13?, 13?) which stabilizes the pressure and the volumetric flow of cryogenic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Multitest Elektronische Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Brunner
  • Publication number: 20090211263
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Coyle
  • Publication number: 20090211262
    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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUNG HAN LEE, JUNG HO CHOI, SUNG KON HAN, DONG KYU CHOI, YOUNG SIK MOON
  • Patent number: 7578138
    Abstract: An electronic HEMD determines the optimum balance between gas cooling and heat exchanger pressure loss, for any given operating condition, and adjusts the gas flow rate through the exchanger accordingly, to yield the maximum net power savings (and thereby energy savings) afforded by the exchanger. Maintaining the optimum balance between cooling and exchanger pressure loss reduces the amount of energy required to transport a given volume of gas through a pipeline and thereby increases the transmission efficiency of the gas pipeline system. A method of operating a heat exchanger on a natural gas transmission pipeline using a control algorithm that in turn controls the position of a heat exchanger bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Wilson Varney
  • Publication number: 20090199926
    Abstract: A method for filling a storage tank with gaseous, pressurized hydrogen where a) liquid hydrogen, which is extracted from a storage tank, is compressed to an average pressure and is stored intermediately in a buffer tank; b) the boil-off gas accumulating in the storage tank is compressed and is stored intermediately in the buffer tank; c) a pressure compensation between the storage tank, which is to be filled, and the buffer tank is carried out initially for filling the storage tank and d) hydrogen from the buffer tank is compressed subsequently to the desired storage pressure and is supplied to the storage tank wherein this compression of the hydrogen and the compression of the boil-off gas are realized by means of one compressor or by means of two compressors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Wilfried-Henning REESE, Harald KRAUS
  • Patent number: 7565811
    Abstract: Gaseous fluid production apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a fluid container containing fluid substantially in the liquid state. A first fluid line is connected to the fluid container so that it receives from the fluid container a first fluid stream substantially in the liquid state. A gas generator is also connected to the fluid container so that it receives from the fluid container a second fluid stream substantially in the liquid state. A product discharge manifold is connected to the gas generator and to the first fluid line. A controller means is operatively associated with the first fluid line and the product discharge manifold for controlling at least one parameter of the first fluid stream. A second controller means is operatively associated with the gas generator and the product discharge manifold for controlling at least one parameter of the second fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Climax Molybdenum Company
    Inventor: Joel A. Taube
  • Publication number: 20090178419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for generating a positive pressure in a tank for liquefied gas on a refrigerated vehicle with an evaporator for the liquefied gas, in conjunction with which the evaporator is connected in a fluid-conducting fashion to the tank via a line for liquefied gas, and in conjunction with which a valve is arranged in the line, comprising the following method steps: opening the valve so that liquefied gas exits from the tank and into the line; closing the valve in such a way that a quantity of the liquefied gas remains in the line and is able to flow back into the tank; heating the quantity in the line. The invention also relates to a method for the supply of liquefied gas, and a device for generating a positive pressure in a tank for liquefied gas in a cooling system, in conjunction with which the method according to the invention for generating a pressure is utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Franz Lürken, Helmut Henrich, Reinhard Kost
  • Patent number: 7559213
    Abstract: Hydrogen is liquefied by a process comprising pre-cooling hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against pressurized liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) to produce pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas and pressurized natural gas, further cooling at least a portion of said pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against at least one refrigerant to produce condensable hydrogen gas and expanding at least a portion of said condensable hydrogen gas to produce at least partially condensed hydrogen. One advantage of such a process is that the power consumed during liquefaction is significantly less than that consumed in existing hydrogen liquefaction processes which pre-cool hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against other refrigerants, e.g. liquid nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Paul Stuart James
  • Publication number: 20090165468
    Abstract: Liquefied hydrocarbon gas carried by a tanker (78) is transferred to an import terminal (10) where the liquefied gas is heated to vaporize it and to heat the cold gas to at least ?30° C. but preferably about 0° C., with the warmed gas transferred to a gas receiving facility (20, 83). Vaporizing and heating is accomplished by using a large number (more than 10) of vertically mounted air vaporizers (84) of a known type, which use environmental air that flows down the exterior of the finned tubes in which the liquefied or cold gas flows. In the present invention a large number of individual vaporizers are positioned in close proximity to each other, i.e. within a distance that is smaller than half the vertical height of the vaporizer tubes. Their close proximity allows many units to be installed on a small plot space, and also affects their thermal performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Wim Van Wiindaarden, Matthieu Ubas
  • Patent number: 7552599
    Abstract: A cryogenic air separation process is set forth wherein, in order to provide the refrigeration necessary when at least a portion of the oxygen product is desired as liquid oxygen, LNG-derived refrigeration is used to liquefy a nitrogen stream in the process. A key to the present invention is that, instead of feeding the liquefied nitrogen to the distillation column, the liquefied nitrogen is heat exchanged against the air feed to the distillation column system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn Michael Herron, Jung Soo Choe, Douglas Paul Dee
  • Publication number: 20090151427
    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: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MUSTANG SAMPLING LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Thompson, Walter F. Gerhold
  • Patent number: 7540160
    Abstract: A system is provided for vaporizing a cryogenic liquid. The system includes means for producing an exhaust gas by flameless thermal oxidation of a fuel. The system also includes means for transferring heat from the exhaust gas to the cryogenic liquid. The heat transferring means is coupled to receive the exhaust gas from the exhaust gas producing means. The means for producing an exhaust gas optionally includes an oxidizer having a matrix bed, a fuel/air mixture inlet positioned to deliver the fuel/air mixture to the matrix bed, and an exhaust outlet positioned to deliver the exhaust gas from the oxidizer to the heat transferring means. The means for transferring heat optionally includes a receptacle configured to hold a heat transfer medium, a conduit for cryogenic liquid extending into the receptacle, and a sparger positioned to deliver exhaust gas from the exhaust gas producing means to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Selas Fluid Processing Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Rost, Peter Falcone
  • Publication number: 20090126372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for regasifying a cryogenic liquid to gaseous form. Heat is transferred 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, wherein he ambient air and the cryogenic fluid or intermediate fluid are not in direct contact. A layer of ice forms on an external portion of the heat transfer surface exposed to the atmosphere where the temperature at the heat transfer surface is below the freezing temperature of water. The layer of ice is dislodged intermittently from the vaporizer using a source of heat operatively associated with a control device, the control device arranged to generate a signal when de-icing is required. De-icing is achieved without the need to discontinue circulating the cryogenic fluid or the intermediate fluid through the vaporizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Publication number: 20090100845
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power and regasification system based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprising a vaporizer by which liquid motive fluid is vaporized, said liquid motive fluid being LNG or a motive fluid liquefied by means of LNG; a turbine for expanding the vaporized motive fluid and producing power; heat exchanger means to which expanded motive fluid vapor is supplied, said heat exchanger means also being supplied with LNG for receiving heat from said expanded fluid vapor, whereby the temperature of the LNG increases as it flows through the heat exchanger means; a conduit through which said motive fluid is circulated from at least the inlet of said vaporizer to the outlet of said heat exchanger means; and a line for transmitting regasified LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nadav AMIR, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Meir Regal
  • Publication number: 20090094993
    Abstract: A process for vaporizing liquefied natural gas that is at a temperature of ?220° F. or below which comprises (a) passing a first liquefied natural gas stream through an open rack vaporizer which uses a heat transfer agent which comprises water under conditions which will raise the liquefied natural gas to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquefied natural gas while lowering the temperature of the heat transfer medium by no more than 30° F.; (b) recovering a vaporized natural gas stream at a temperature T1 from the open rack vaporizer; (c) combining the vaporized natural gas stream recovered in step (b) with a second liquefied natural gas stream to form a natural gas vapor stream which has a temperature T2 that is lower than temperature T1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Lin Chaio Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090071172
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is presented for the desalination of water by freezing seawater. The process is integrated into a liquefied natural gas regasification system. The process comprises alternating the flow of liquefied natural gas to freeze seawater in a heat exchanger and then flowing a hot flue gas through the heat exchanger to melt the frozen seawater, and then repeating the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Blaise J. Arena
  • Publication number: 20090064688
    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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. DENDY, Peter W. Falcone, Glenn S. Brenneke, Eldon F. Mockry
  • Patent number: 7493772
    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, structure extending below the level of the vaporizer to receive the downwardly flowing gas and to re-direct it to discharge to atmosphere, the structure including ducting configured and sized to enhance the down flow and discharge rates of the gas, whereby the temperature of the discharged gas is maintained above the level that would exist in the absence of the ducting, and potential fogging at the discharge is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Cryoquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M Brown
  • Patent number: 7490605
    Abstract: A high-efficiency liquid oxygen (LOX) storage/delivery system utilizes a portable LOX/delivery apparatus with a portable LOX container. A portable-unit LOX transfer connector is connected to the portable LOX container and is connectable to a main source of LOX in a primary reservoir LOX container. A portable-unit oxygen gas transfer connector is provided for transferring oxygen gas from the portable LOX container to an oxygen gas delivery device for delivering oxygen gas to a patient. An inter-unit oxygen gas transfer connector also is provided for connecting the portable apparatus to a stationary source of oxygen gas in the primary reservoir container, for transferring oxygen gas to the portable apparatus. A portable-unit primary relief valve is connected to the portable LOX container for venting oxygen gas out of the portable LOX container when pressure in the portable LOX container reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Frye, Leonardo S. Toma, Richard A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7484404
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mustang Sampling LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Thompson, Walter F. Grehold
  • Patent number: 7484371
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas carrier uses a diesel engine or gas turbine propulsion plant fitted with a shipboard regasification system. The propulsion plant can provide either a direct mechanical drive of the propeller shaft and propeller, or can be fitted with an integrated electric power plant using an electric motor or motors to drive the propeller shaft and propeller. The regasification system includes a heat input source of exhaust gas heat exchangers, electric water heaters and supplemental heaters to provide an additional heat source to a hot water circulating loop. The liquefied natural gas contacts the hot water or heating medium circulating loop and is regasified. An undersea conduit from the ship transmits the regasified natural gas to an on shore plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Alan Nierenberg
  • Patent number: 7478975
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transportation and processing of a cryogenic fluid. The system includes a floating liquefaction unit receiving a gas from a source, a shuttle vessel for carrying liquefied gas away from the liquefaction unit, a floating regasification unit for receiving the liquefied gas from the vessel, regasifying the liquefied gas and providing the gas to a distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Wood Group Advanced Parts Manufacture A.G.
    Inventors: Bradford Scott Hubbard, Ned Baudat, W. Scott Worthington
  • Patent number: 7475553
    Abstract: Apparatus to convert LNG to gas, comprising a vaporizer having passages to pass the cool or cold LNG in heat transfer relation with warming gas flowing downwardly to discharge in multiple directions, and flow control means to control discharge of the gas flow in selected direction or directions, as a function of wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Cryoquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080314050
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage and delivery system is provided having an orifice pulse tube refrigerator and a liquid hydrogen storage vessel. A cooling system, coupled to the orifice pulse tube refrigerator, cools the vessel and abates ambient heat transfer thereto in order to maintain the liquid hydrogen in the vessel at or below its saturation temperature. Hydrogen boil-off, and the necessity to provide continuous venting of vaporized hydrogen are minimized or avoided. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen storage vessel has a toroidal shape, and the pulse tube refrigerator is a two stage pulse tube refrigerator and extends within a central void space defined at the geometric center of the toroidal storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SIERRA LOBO, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Haberbusch, James Parkes, Adam John Culler
  • Publication number: 20080307789
    Abstract: Contemplated plants thermally integrate operation of a refinery component, and most preferably of a hydrocarbon splitter with LNG regasification to provide refrigeration duty and with a power cycle to provide the reboiler duty of the component. It should be noted that such configurations advantageously allow operation of the splitter at a reduced temperature and at reduced pressure, thereby increasing separation efficiency, while the power output is boosted using air intake chilling. Most notably, such process advantages are achieved by satisfying the heating duty of LNG regasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20080307799
    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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Martin J. Rosetta, Bill R. Minton, David A. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7464557
    Abstract: A method of cold recovery in a cold compressed natural gas cycle, the method comprising: compressing air; drying air; heat exchanging air with cold compressed natural gas from a storage vessel, in a first heat exchanger, thereby forming cooled air; heat exchanging the cooled air with liquid methane, in a second heat exchanger, such that the cooled air becomes liquid air and the liquid methane becomes methane; heat exchanging the liquid air with natural gas from a pipeline, in a third heat exchanger, such that the natural gas cools to a cold compressed natural gas and the liquid air becomes air in a gaseous state; discharging the air in a gaseous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventors: David Vandor, Ralph Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20080302110
    Abstract: Apparatus for the thermal management of high pressure gas storage tanks wherein the compression heat of refueling the tank is evacuated from the interior of the tank in which a gas circulates within the tank powered by a pump powered and as the gas traverses from the high pressure refuel depot to the storage tank, the circulating gas absorbs the refueling heat and carries the heat to a cooling system having a supplemental heat exchange device before the gas is introduced into the tank. The apparatus may be operated in reverse to transfer heat from a source to the tank interior to provide more complete exhaustion of the tank during vehicle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
  • Publication number: 20080295527
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing nitrogen equipped in a marine structure such as a liquefied natural gas regasification vessel (LNG RV) and a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), and a method for producing nitrogen in a marine structure using the apparatus. The apparatus for producing nitrogen equipped in a flowing marine structure produces nitrogen to be mixed with natural gas to be supplied to consumers after regasification. The floating marine structure in which the apparatus is equipped has an LNG regasification facility for compressing the LNG stored in a storage tank using a high-pressure pump and then vaporizing the LNG into natural gas in a vaporizer to supply natural gas to consumers. The apparatus for producing nitrogen secures cold heat necessary to produce nitrogen using the LNG supplied from the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Jong Hyun Park, Young Soo Kim, Hyun Ki Park, Jin Yul Yu, Hyun Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7458231
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is presented for the desalination of water by freezing seawater. The process is integrated into a liquefied natural gas regasification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Blaise J. Arena
  • Patent number: 7451604
    Abstract: An LNG gasifier configured to be installed on an offshore structure for vaporizing LNG includes a water passage into which water flows; an LNG passage provided inside the water passage and configured to pass the LNG and that allows heat exchange between the water and the LNG; and a bubble generating unit configured to generate bubbles of air into the water in the water passage. The water passage has an inlet port from where the water is taken in and a discharge port from where air and the water are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keijiro Yoshida, Kazumasa Ogura
  • Publication number: 20080276628
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of an LNG carrier is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Patent number: 7448223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading natural gas (NG), including gasifying liquid and/or compressed NG using the latent heat of water and propane, and/or storing liquid or compressed NG gas in a storage cavern system that utilizes a buffer layer to prevent hydrating the NG gas, the storage cavern system being configured such that the NG may be forced out of a first storage chamber by increasing the amount of brine in a second chamber to displace a buffer fluid located therein such that the displace buffer fluid enters the first storage chamber and displaces the NG, as well as the processes for compressing, chilling and/or liquefying quantities of LNG and transporting those volumes to markets for redelivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: DQ Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Darling, IV, A. Bruce Murray
  • Publication number: 20080250795
    Abstract: A system and method for production of gas from a cryogenic fluid using an improved air vaporizer in cyclic production/regeneration modes with a forced air draft and an intermittent heating of ambient air entering the air vaporizer during regeneration mode and/or optionally during the production mode. The system and method may be used in geographical areas where the ambient air temperature can be below freezing. Particularly, the system and method may employ a plurality of these improved air vaporizers for regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG), particularly for continuous production of natural gas in a base-load LNG regasification plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Vidyadhar Y. Katdare, Jeffrey L. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080202126
    Abstract: The new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporizer uses seawater as a heat source for vaporizing in a fish friendly manner. The vaporizer provides environmental benefits. Multiple seawater heat source plate heat transfer surface units provide heat for vaporizing propane. Propane provides the heat source for LNG vaporization in a propane/LNG exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: GERALD E. ENGDAHL
  • Patent number: 7406830
    Abstract: The compressor-evaporator system for liquefied gas contained in a tank comprises, in addition to a deice for evaporation by heat exchange with a liquid and devices for conditioning and transferring gas to a pipeline, a motor-driven turbopump comprising a rotary assembly of high bending stiffness on a common shaft line, with at least one high pressure pump, a turbine, and a central electrical machine capable of being used in motor mode or in generator mode. The rotary assembly of the motor-driven turbopump is adapted to present a high speed of rotation, greater than 12,000 rpm, while remaining outside ranges for exciting critical speeds in rotation. All of the internal portions of the motor-driven turbopump are immersed in a cryogenic fluid that is the same as the liquefied gas contained in the tank. The internal cavities of the motor-driven turbopump that are under different thermodynamic conditions are separated by contactless dynamic seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Dominique Valentian, Damien Feger, Noël Marchal, François Danguy, Olivier Lagnel
  • Publication number: 20080178611
    Abstract: An approach is provided for vaporizing liquefied natural gas (LNG). A system utilizing closed circulation of a heat transfer medium heated by ambient air and waste heat from a waste heat source vaporizes the LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Foster Wheeler USA Corporation
    Inventor: James S. Ding
  • Publication number: 20080178612
    Abstract: A method for supplying hydrogen gas, comprising: loading liquefied hydrogen produced at a plant on a liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle, and transporting the liquefied hydrogen to a user's site by the liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle; and pressuring and gasifying the transported liquefied hydrogen on the liquefied hydrogen delivery vehicle after arrival at the user's site to produce hydrogen gas, and then filling a storage vessel at the user's site with the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Osamu Utata
  • Publication number: 20080155996
    Abstract: A process for vaporizing liquefied gas is provided. Energy can be transferred within one or more first heat exchangers from a heat transfer medium at a first temperature to a liquefied gas. At least a portion of the liquefied gas can be vaporized within the one or more first heat exchangers to provide an at least partially vaporized liquid and a heat transfer medium at a second temperature. The heat transfer medium can be heated from the second temperature to a temperature at or near the first temperature with air within one or more second heat exchangers. The heat transfer medium from the one or more second heat exchangers can be directed to the one or more first heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Masroor S. Khan, David A. Coyle, Charles A. Durr
  • Patent number: 7392767
    Abstract: A quench column 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: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Martin J. Rosetta
  • Publication number: 20080148742
    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 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Alan B. Nierenberg