US3783628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transporting liquefied natural gas
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Filing: 1972-07-17
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-07-17
Abstract
Abstract Liquefied natural gas is transported by subcooling the liquefied natural gas below a temperature at which it has a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, loading the subcooled liquefied natural gas into an insulated vacuum vessel in a transporting means, transporting the subcooled liquefied natural gas in said insulated vacuum vessel to a destination, without refrigerating the liquefied gas, during a time period such that the liquefied natural gas arrives at the destination at a temperature no warmer than -260*F. and, unloading the liquefied natural gas at the destination. The liquefied natural gas while subcooled is unloaded and stored at about atmospheric pressure in an insulated tank without added refrigeration.
Inventors
- 👤 R Reiche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:10
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of transporting liquefied natural gas comprising: loading liquefied natural gas, which has been subcooled below a temperature at which it has a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, into an insulated vessel in a transporting means, the pressure of the subcooled liquefied gas in the vessel being not more than about 10 psia upon completion of loading therein, transporting the subcooled liquefied natural gas in said insulated vessel to a destination, without refrigerating the liquefied gas under pressure, during a time period such that the liquefied natural gas arrives at the destination at a temperature no warmer than -260*F. and, unloading the liquefied natural gas at the destination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of transporting liquefied natural gas comprising: loading liquefied natural gas, which has been subcooled below a temperature at which it has a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, into an insulated vessel in a transporting means, the pressure of the subcooled liquefied gas in the vessel being not more than about 10 psia upon completion of loading therein, transporting the subcooled liquefied natural gas in said insulated vessel to a destination, without refrigerating the liquefied gas under pressure, during a time period such that the liquefied natural gas arrives at the destination at a temperature no warmer than -260*F. and, unloading the liquefied natural gas at the destination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the liquefied natural gas arrives subcooled at the destination, and the liquefied natural gas is unloaded and stored at about atmospheric pressure in an insulated tank without added refrigeration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the liquefied natural gas is subcooled to at least -270*F. before being loaded into the insulated vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the liquefied natural gas is subcooled to a temperature at which a substantial part of the natural gas is solid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the liquefied natural gas is at a pressure less than 13 psia upon arrival at the destination.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of transporting liquefied natural gas comprising: loading liquefied natural gas, which has been subcooled below a temperature at which it has a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, into an insulated storage vessel for storage at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, the pressure of the subcooled liquefied gas in the storagE vessel being not more than about 10 psia upon loading therein, withdrawing subcooled liquefied natural gas from the storage vessel and loading it into an insulated transportable vessel in a transportation means, transporting the subcooled liquefied natural gas under vacuum in said insulated transportable vessel to a destination, without refrigerating the liquefied gas, during a time period such that the liquefied natural gas arrives at the destination at a temperature no warmer than -260*F., and unloading the liquefied natural gas at the destination, without refrigeration, and storing the product at about atmospheric pressure in an insulated tank.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
150 words
A method of transporting liquefied natural gas comprising: loading liquefied natural gas, which has been subcooled below a temperature at which it has a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric pressure, into an insulated storage vessel for storage at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, the pressure of the subcooled liquefied gas in the storagE vessel being not more than about 10 psia upon loading therein, withdrawing subcooled liquefied natural gas from the storage vessel and loading it into an insulated transportable vessel in a transportation means, transporting the subcooled liquefied natural gas under vacuum in said insulated transportable vessel to a destination, without refrigerating the liquefied gas, during a time period such that the liquefied natural gas arrives at the destination at a temperature no warmer than -260*F., and unloading the liquefied natural gas at the destination, without refrigeration, and storing the product at about atmospheric pressure in an insulated tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |