US3658499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of diluting liquefied gases
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Filing: 1970-10-28
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1990-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A method in which a controlled amount of a gas of lower potential heating capacity is dissolved in an oxidizable liquefied gas to dilute the oxidizable liquefied gas and thereafter the dilute liquefied gas is vaporized. Addition of the gas of lower potential heating capacity is controlled to avoid vaporization of the oxidizable liquefied gas until after dilution. Air is used to dilute liquefied natural gas. Apparatus having a storage tank for a liquefied oxidizable gas, a first conduit from the storage tank to a first pump for removing liquefied oxidizable gas, a second conduit from the pump to a diluting tank for delivering liquefied oxidizable gas thereto, a third conduit communicating with a second pump and the diluting tank for supplying a diluting gas to the liquefied oxidizable gas, and a fourth conduit from the diluting tank to a vaporizer for removing diluted liquefied oxidizable gas from the diluting tank and vaporizing it.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Wayne Delahunty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:12
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; F17C9/02; F17C2265/00; F17C2265/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 in which the addition of the gas of lower potential heating capacity is controlled as to the amount added, the temperature at which added, or both, to substantially avoid vaporization of the oxidizable liquefied gas until after dilution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the oxidizable gas is liquefied natural gas and the gas of lower potential heating capacity is air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 in which the liquefied natural gas is at a temperature below -200* F. and the air added to the liquefied natural gas is below -200* F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 in which the temperature of the added diluting gas is about the same as the temperature of the liquefied oxidizable gas during the addition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the liquefied oxidizable gas is at a pressure of not more than 150 psia during the dilution.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of lowering the potential heating capacity of liquefied natural gas which comprises: feeding a stream of air at a temperature of about 80* F. to about -255* F. and a pressure of about 20 psia to 150 psia to liquefied natural gas at a temperature of about -260* F. to about -210* F. and a pressure of about 20 psia to 150 psia to liquefied natural gas, the air being fed at a rate which effects substantial dilution of the air in the liquefied natural gas, and thereafter vaporizing the diluted liquefied natural gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 in which from about 2 to 15 percent by volume of air is dissolved in the liquefied natural gas.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
135 words
The method of lowering the potential heating capacity of liquefied natural gas which comprises: removing liquefied natural gas from a storage tank in which it is stored at about -255* F. or lower and transferring it to a diluting tank at a temperature of about -255* F. to -210* F. and a pressure of about 20 psia to 150 psia, passing a stream of cooled air, at a pressure above the pressure in the diluting tank up to a pressure of 150 psia and at a temperature within 10* F. of the temperature of the diluted liquefied natural gas in the diluting tank, to the liquefied natural gas in the diluting tank to dissolve air therein and dilute the liquefied natural gas, and withdrawing diluted liquefied natural gas from the diluting tank and vaporizing it.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9 in which the diluted liquefied natural gas withdrawn from the diluting tank is passed in heat exchange flow with air to supply the stream of cool air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 in which the stream of cool air is fed into the liquefied natural gas in the diluted tank below its surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for diluting a liquefied oxidizable gas with another gas comprising: a storage tank for a liquefied oxidizable gas, a conduit from the storage tank to a walled enclosure for delivering liquefied oxidizable gas thereto, a conduit communicating with a compressor, aftercooler and dryer and the walled enclosure for supplying a diluting gas to the liquefied oxidizable gas, and a conduit from the walled enclosure to a vaporizer for removing diluted liquefied oxidizable gas from the walled enclosure and vaporizing it.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the conduit from the walled enclosure to the vaporizer includes a pump to aid in removing diluted liquefied gas from the walled enclosure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including a heat exchanger through which the conduit from the compressor to the walled enclosure, and the conduit from the walled enclosure to the vaporizer, extend.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for diluting a liquefied oxidizable gas with another gas comprising: a storage tank for a liquefied oxidizable gas, a first conduit from the stOrage tank to a first pump for removing liquefied oxidizable gas, a second conduit from the pump to a walled enclosure for delivering liquefied oxidizable gas thereto, a third conduit communicating with a compressor, aftercooler, and dryer and the walled enclosure for supplying a diluting gas to the liquefied oxidizable gas, a fourth conduit from the walled enclosure to a second pump for removing diluted liquefied oxidizable gas from the walled enclosure, and a fifth conduit from the second pump for supplying the diluted liquefied oxidizable gas to a vaporizer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 including a heat exchanger through which the third and fifth conduits extend.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the walled enclosure is a contact vessel, and the third and fourth conduits communicate therewith below a design liquefied oxidizable gas level of the contact vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 in which the second conduit communicates with the contact vessel above a design liquefied oxidizable gas level of the contact vessel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |