US3720057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of continuously vaporizing and superheating liquefied cryogenic fluid
Assignee: Black Sivalls and Bryson Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-15
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method of continuously vaporizing and superheating liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use. A stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid is passed in heat exchange relationship with a stream of ambient water so that the cryogenic fluid is heated and vaporized. The vaporized cryogenic fluid stream is divided into first and second portions and the first portion is passed in heat exchange relationship, with the input combustion air to a gas turbine engine so that the air is cooled and the power output of the turbine increased. The second portion is passed in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gases generated by the gas turbine engine so that the second portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level, and the first and second portions of the vaporized cryogenic fluid stream are then combined so that a stream of vaporized cryogenic fluid superheated to a desired temperature level is produced. The power output of the gas turbine is advantageously used for providing power for pumping the streams of liquefied cryogenic fluid and ambient water.
Inventors
- 👤 E Arenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:20
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; F17C9/02; F17C2265/00; F17C2265/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. passing said stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid in heat exchange relationship with a stream of ambient water so that said cryogenic fluid stream is heated and vaporized; b. dividing said heated and vaporized cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; c. passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with input combustion air to a gas turbine engine so that said air is cooled and the power output of said turbine engine increased; d. passing the second portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine engine so that the second portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level; e. combining said first and second portions of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized cryogenic fluid stream superheated to a desired temperature level is produced; and f. utilizing the power output of said gas turbine engine for carrying out step (a).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. passing said stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid in heat exchange relationship with a stream of ambient water so that said cryogenic fluid stream is heated and vaporized; b. dividing said heated and vaporized cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; c. passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with input combustion air to a gas turbine engine so that said air is cooled and the power output of said turbine engine increased; d. passing the second portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine engine so that the second portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level; e. combining said first and second portions of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized cryogenic fluid stream superheated to a desired temperature level is produced; and f. utilizing the power output of said gas turbine engine for carrying out step (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 which is further characterized to include the steps of: passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine engine input air in successive serially connected stages so that the formation of ice from water vapor contained in the air is maintained at a minimum; and combining a quantity of liquefied cryogenic fluid with the vaporized cryogenic fluid exiting from each of said heat exchange stages so that it is cooled prior to passing through the next successive stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 2 which is further characterized to include the step of passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the turbine engine exhaust gases so that the first portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level prior to passing said stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine engine input air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the liquefied cryogenic fluid stream is liquefied natural gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the ambient water is sea water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein a portion of the produced superheated natural gas is utilized as fuel for said turbine.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
250 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. pumping said stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid through a first heat exchanger; b. pumping a stream of ambient water through said first heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the water to said liquefied cryogenic fluid causing the cryogenic fluid to be heated and vaporized; c. dividing the heated and vaporized cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; d. passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream through a second heat exchanger; e. passing input combustion air to a gas turbine engine through said second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that the input air is cooled and the power output of said turbine is increased; f. passing the second portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream through a third heat exchanger; g. passing the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine through said third heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the second portion of the vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that the second portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level; h. combining the first and second portions of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized cryogenic fluid stream superheated to a desired temperature level is produced; and i. utilizing thE power output of said gas turbine engine for pumping the streams of liquefied cryogenic fluid and ambient water.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
250 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. pumping said stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid through a first heat exchanger; b. pumping a stream of ambient water through said first heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the water to said liquefied cryogenic fluid causing the cryogenic fluid to be heated and vaporized; c. dividing the heated and vaporized cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; d. passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream through a second heat exchanger; e. passing input combustion air to a gas turbine engine through said second heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that the input air is cooled and the power output of said turbine is increased; f. passing the second portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream through a third heat exchanger; g. passing the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine through said third heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the second portion of the vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that the second portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level; h. combining the first and second portions of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized cryogenic fluid stream superheated to a desired temperature level is produced; and i. utilizing thE power output of said gas turbine engine for pumping the streams of liquefied cryogenic fluid and ambient water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 7 which is further characterized to include the steps of: passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine engine input air in successive serially connected stages so that the formation of ice from water vapor contained in said air is maintained at a minimum; and combining a quantity of liquefied cryogenic fluid with the vaporized cryogenic fluid exiting from each of said heat exchange stages so that it is cooled prior to passing through the next successive stage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 8 which is further characterized to include the step of passing the first portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the turbine engine exhaust gases so that the first portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level prior to passing said stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine input air.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the liquefied cryogenic fluid is liquefied natural gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said ambient water is sea water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a portion of the produced superheated natural gas is utilized as fuel for said gas turbine.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. dividing the liquefied cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; b. passing the first portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with a stream of ambient water so that said first portion is heated and vaporized; c. dividing said heated and vaporized first portion into major and minor portions; d. passing the minor portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with input combustion air to a gas turbine engine so that said air is cooled and the power output of the gas turbine is increased; e. passing the major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine so that the major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream is superheated; f. combining the minor portion and the superheated major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized and superheated combined cryogenic fluid stream is formed from said first portion of liquefied cryogenic fluid; and g. combining the second portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid stream with said vaporized and superheated combined cryogenic fluid stream so that the second portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid is vaporized and a composite stream of vaporized cryogenic fluid is produced at a desired level of superheat.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of continuously vaporizing and superheating a stream of liquefied cryogenic fluid for an ultimate use comprising the steps of: a. dividing the liquefied cryogenic fluid stream into first and second portions; b. passing the first portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with a stream of ambient water so that said first portion is heated and vaporized; c. dividing said heated and vaporized first portion into major and minor portions; d. passing the minor portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with input combustion air to a gas turbine engine so that said air is cooled and the power output of the gas turbine is increased; e. passing the major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust gases generated by said gas turbine so that the major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream is superheated; f. combining the minor portion and the superheated major portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream so that a vaporized and superheated combined cryogenic fluid stream is formed from said first portion of liquefied cryogenic fluid; and g. combining the second portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid stream with said vaporized and superheated combined cryogenic fluid stream so that the second portion of said liquefied cryogenic fluid is vaporized and a composite stream of vaporized cryogenic fluid is produced at a desired level of superheat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 13 which is further characterized to include the steps of: passing the minor portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine engine input air in successive serially connected stages so that the formation of ice from water vapor contained in the air is maintained at a minimum; and combining a quantity of liquefied cryogenic fluid with the vaporized cryogenic fluid exiting from each of said heat exchange stages so that it is cooled prior to passing through the next successive stage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 14 which is further characterized to include the step of passing the minor portion of said vaporized cryogenic fluid in heat exchange relationship with said turbine exhaust gases so that first portion is superheated to a predetermined temperature level prior to passing said stream in heat exchange relationship with said turbine engine input air.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the liquefied cryogenic fluid stream is liquefied natural gas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the ambient water is sea water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |