Abstract:
A liquid storage tank comprising an outer container wherein the outer container is rigid and has at least one inner container disposed within the outer container. The at least one inner container contains at least one stored liquid which may be refilled from a surface vessel or host facility. The at least one inner container is flexible and pressure balanced while the volume of the outer container remains fixed, and the volume of the at least one inner containers is variable. Disposed on the outer container is a balance assembly containing an isolation valve, a check valve, and a flexible bladder. The balance assembly allows for the hydrostatic pressure to be maintained during chemical dosing and tank raising operations.
Abstract:
A liquid storage tank comprising an outer container wherein the outer container is rigid and has at least one inner container disposed within the outer container. The at least one inner container contains at least one stored liquid which may be refilled from a surface vessel or host facility. The at least one inner container is flexible and pressure balanced while the volume of the outer container remains fixed, and the volume of the at least one inner containers is variable. Disposed on the outer container is a balance assembly containing an isolation valve, a check valve, and a flexible bladder. The balance assembly allows for the hydrostatic pressure to be maintained during chemical dosing and tank raising operations.
Abstract:
A metallic positive expulsion fuel tank with stress free weld seams may include a first hemispherical shell with a first edge; a pressurized gas inlet attached to the first hemispherical shell; and a metallic cylinder with first and second edges attached to the first hemispherical shell along matching first edges by a first weld seam. The tank may also include a second hemispherical shell with a first edge attached to a fuel outlet fixture. An elastomeric diaphragm may be attached to the fuel outlet fixture on the second hemispherical shell. The second hemispherical shell may be attached to the second edge of the metallic cylinder along matching edges by a second weld seam thereby forming a positive expulsion fuel tank with two interior chambers separated by the elastomeric diaphragm. The first and second weld seams may be subjected to a localized post-weld stress relief heat treatment in which heating of the tank is confined to a distance of 2 inches (5.08 cm) of the first weld seam and a distance of 2 inches (5.08 cm) of the second weld seam such that the stresses in the first and second weld seams are relieved and the elastomeric diaphragm is unaffected by the heat treatment.
Abstract:
The operability of a fuel cell which uses a fuel cartridge housing a liquid fuel is improved. A fuel cartridge 1400 houses a liquid fuel 124. The fuel cartridge 1400 includes a gas-liquid separation film 1408 which divides a fuel housing section 1402 into a liquid housing chamber 1402a and a gas housing chamber 1402b. A fuel gas, which is the vaporized liquid fuel, is housed in the gas housing chamber 1402b. A gas exhaust pipe 1410 is connected to the gas housing chamber 1402b, and the fuel gas housed in the gas housing chamber 1402b is discharged to outside the fuel cartridge 1400 via a gas discharge port 1414.
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.
Abstract:
An apparatus for compressing a gas and its uses are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fixed-volume container having a hollow and a moveable element subdividing said hollow into a first variable-volume portion and a second variable-volume portion, the second variable-volume portion having an opening for introducing therein a hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluid under pressure, for causing an increase in the volume of said second variable-portion by moving said moveable element, thereby, consequently, decreasing the volume of the first variable-volume portion and compressing a gas contained therein.
Abstract:
An apparatus for compressing a gas and its uses are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fixed-volume container having a hollow and a moveable element subdividing said hollow into a first variable-volume portion and a second variable-volume portion, the second variable-volume portion having an opening for introducing therein a hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluid under pressure, for causing an increase in the volume of said second variable-portion by moving said moveable element, thereby, consequently, decreasing the volume of the first variable-volume portion and compressing a gas contained therein.
Abstract:
An electrochemically active hydrogen diffusion barrier which comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an intermediate electrolyte layer, which is conductive to protons and substantially impermeable to hydrogen. A catalytic metal present in or adjacent to the anode layer catalyzes an electrochemical reaction that converts any hydrogen that diffuses through the electrolyte layer to protons and electrons. The protons and electrons are transported to the cathode layer and reacted to form hydrogen. The hydrogen diffusion barrier is applied to a polymeric substrate used in a storage tank to store hydrogen under high pressure. A storage tank equipped with the electrochemically active hydrogen diffusion barrier, a method of fabricating the storage tank, and a method of preventing hydrogen from diffusing out of a storage tank are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The cryogenic storage vessel comprises a liquid storage volume, a conduit leading from that volume, a large flowable mass of solid spherical insulators within that conduit and a diaphragm at the end of the conduit opposite the liquid storage volume. The ambient pressure of the seawater surrounding the apparatus is transmitted to the cryogenic liquid by means of displacement of the diaphragm which is in contact with the ambient seawater and the corresponding change in the internal volume of the liquid storage apparatus. The mass of insulating spheres are allowed to flow within the conduit and partially into the liquid storage area upon displacement of the diaphragm. The insulators allow vapor of the liquid within their interstices but maintain a thermal gradient between the liquid and the diaphragm sufficient to protect the diaphragm from the extremely low temperatures of the cryogenic liquid by substantially preventing convection and conduction.