Abstract:
A system for delivering natural gas, from a moveable transport or pipeline, is off-loaded at an automotive re-fueling station, or other end-user facility, into one or more storage vessels equipped with internal flexible bladders. The pressure of the gas, stored inside the bladders, will be increased to levels sufficient for re-filling automotive on-board storage tanks, or other end uses, by pumping a hydraulic fluid in the annulus between the bladder and the walls of the steel storage vessels, thereby collapsing the flexible bladder and squeezing gas out to an on-board storage tank. The use of a hydraulic pump, instead of a more-expensive compressor, to pressurize the gas, results in significant cost savings which reduces the overall cost of CNG at the station, making CNG (the "preferred alternative fuel") less expensive than gasoline and/or diesel, which will enable CNG to replace gasoline and/or diesel as the primary fuel for automobiles, trucks, and busses.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for transferring and boosting the pressure of gas from a source to a receptacle by sequentially filling and compressing volumes of gas by displacing same with a fluid available at a higher pressure and utilizing pressure differential between the gas and fluid to signal the filling and compressing cycles.
Abstract:
970,869. Storing liquefied gas. GARRETT CORPORATION. July 20, 1961 [July 22, 1960], No. 26434/61. Heading F4P. A container for liquefied gas comprises a storage vessel 1, an evaporation chamber 3 in heat exchange relationship with the vessel 1, a bleed passage 25 for bleeding liquid from the vessel 1 to the chamber 3, and means for maintaining in the chamber 3 a pressure lower than that in the vessel 1 to vaporize the bled-off liquid and so cool the vessel and the stored liquefied gas. The vessel 1 is housed within a double-walled, insulated outer vessel 2 which is spaced from the vessel 1 to form the evaporation chamber 3; the vessel 2 comprises spaced inner and outer shells 2a and 2b, the space between which is preferably evacuated. The stored liquid is contained within a flexible bladder 10 disposed in the vessel 1 and having a liquid port 11 and a vent port 12, the port 11 communicating with the bleed passage 25 and a pipe 20; the latter is alternatively connected by a two-way valve 21 to a supply line 22 and a delivery line 23, the line 23 having a regulating valve 24 preferably provided with control means responsive to the demand for liquefied gas. The liquid which is bled to the chamber 3 is controlled by a valve 30 responsive to a temperature sensitive control element 31 which may include power amplification or supplementary control means located outside the vessel 2. A two-way valve 15 alternatively connects a pipe 14 communicating with the vessel 1 to a source of pressurized gas 13 or to atmosphere for venting of the vessel 1. The chamber 3 is connected by a pipe 33 to a relief valve 34 which regulates the pressure in the chamber 3 so that it is lower than that in the vessel 1, the relief valve 34 leading alternatively to atmosphere through an outlet 35 for venting of the chamber 3 and to the liquefied gas delivery line 23 through an outlet 36 to cool the line 23 during non-delivery of liquified gas. The relief valve 34 may be controlled by a mechanical connection shown diagrammatically at 37, with the regulating valve 24. In a modification the liquefied gas is stored outside the bladder 10 to which is admitted the pressurized gas from the source 13, appropriate modifications being made to the various associated connections. In a further embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown), the flexible bladder 10 is dispensed with.