Abstract:
The disclosure is directed to an energy recovery system for a mobile machine The energy recovery system may include a tank configured to store a liquid fuel for combustion within an engine of the mobile machine, and a first reservoir configured to receive gaseous fuel formed in the tank. The energy recovery system may also include a conduit disposed around the tank that may be fluidly connected to the first reservoir. The energy recovery system may also include a second reservoir fluidly connected to the conduit, and an energy recovery configured to generate work utilizing a temperature gradient between gaseous fuel disposed within the first and second reservoirs.
Abstract:
In the past, “compensated” salt caverns have operated with a compensating liquid, such as brine to displace a stored liquid, such as crude oil, when the stored liquid is needed on the surface. Virtually all of the stored liquid in a compensated salt cavern can be expelled from the salt cavern when it is filled with the compensating liquid. In the past, “uncompensated” salt caverns have been used to store gases, such as natural gas. Uncompensated caverns operate without any compensating liquid; instead they rely on pressure. Some of the stored gas (cushion gas) must always be left in an uncompensated salt cavern. This invention breaks with convention and uses a compensating liquid in a salt cavern to store gases which is a technique believed to be previously unknown. “Cushion gas” is not required because the compensating liquid displaces virtually all of the gas in the salt cavern.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus for vaporizing a normally gaseous fluid which is in liquefied state which apparatus employs solar energy for heating a second fluid which preferably is water, which solar heated second fluid is passed into heat exchange relationship with said liquefied gaseous fluid for its vaporization. The preferred liquefied gaseous fluid is liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the second fluid preferably is water which optionally contains an anti-freeze additive for prevention of freezing of the water during the operation.
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.
Abstract:
In the past, “compensated” salt caverns have operated with a compensating liquid, such as brine to displace a stored liquid, such as crude oil, when the stored liquid is needed on the surface. Virtually all of the stored liquid in a compensated salt cavern can be expelled from the salt cavern when it is filled with the compensating liquid. In the past, “uncompensated” salt caverns have been used to store gases, such as natural gas. Uncompensated caverns operate without any compensating liquid; instead they rely on pressure. Some of the stored gas (cushion gas) must always be left in an uncompensated salt cavern. This invention breaks with convention and uses a compensating liquid in a salt cavern to store gases which is a technique believed to be previously unknown. “Cushion gas” is not required because the compensating liquid displaces virtually all of the gas in the salt cavern.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for regasification of LNG to form natural gas using ambient air as the primary source of heat are described. LNG is directed to flow through an ambient air vaporizer to form a natural gas stream through direct heat exchange between the LNG and ambient air. The temperature of the natural gas stream is adjusted to suit a predetermined delivery temperature in a trim heater exchanging heat with a circulating intermediate fluid. The intermediate fluid is directed to flow through an ambient air heater such that the intermediate fluid exchanges heat with ambient air. Heat transfer between the ambient air and the LNG is assisted using one or more force draft fans to direct the flow of ambient air over the ambient air heater and the ambient air vaporizer in turn to dry the ambient air before it arrives at the ambient air vaporizer.
Abstract:
Offshore regasification of liquid natural gas (LNG) is provided onboard an LNG carrier vessel for delivery onshore as a gas. The LNG is regasified to natural gas aboard the LNG carrier vessel using ambient air as the primary source of heat for regasification. Condensed water that accumulates from the ambient air during the regasification of LNG is collected, and the collected condensed water is used as ballast for the LNG carrier vessel.
Abstract:
A process for the extraction and recovery of ethane and heavier hydrocarbons (C2+) from LNG. The process covered by this patent maximizes the utilization of the beneficial cryogenic thermal properties of the LNG to extract and recover C2+ form the LNG using a unique arrangement of heat exchange equipment, a cryogenic fractionation column and processing parameters that essentially eliminates (or greatly reduces) the need for gas compression equipment minimizing capital cost, fuel consumption and electrical power requirements. This invention may be used for one or more of the following purposes: to condition LNG so that send-out gas delivered from an LNG receiving and regasification terminal meets commercial natural gas quality specifications; to condition LNG to make Lean LNG that meets fuel quality specifications and standards required by LNG powered vehicles and other LNG fueled equipment; to condition LNG to make Lean LNG so that it can be used to make CNG meeting specifications and standards for commercial CNG fuel; to recover ethane, propane and/or other hydrocarbons heavier then methane from LNG for revenue enhancement, profit or other commercial reasons.
Abstract:
Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.
Abstract:
The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Flexible Natural Gas Storage Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.