US3878689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquefaction of natural gas by liquid nitrogen in a dual-compartmented dewar
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for on-site liquefaction of natural gas. The liquefaction apparatus comprises a Dewar having upper and lower inner chambers separated by a common heat exchange bulkhead. Liquid nitrogen is stored in the upper inner chamber, and precooled natural gas, supplied from a commercial line, is introduced into the top of the lower chamber. Heat loss to the natural gas in the upper chamber through the bulkhead causes liquefaction of the natural gas. Natural gas so liquefied may be supplied to a Dewar storage tank on a vehicle employing such LNG fuel.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl A Grenci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:31
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J1/00; F25J1/0002; F25J1/0022; F25J1/02; F25J1/0221; F25J1/0225; F25J1/0243; F25J1/0257; F25J1/0258; F25J1/0275; F25J2210/00; F25J2210/42; F25J2235/00; F25J2235/60; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/90; F25J2270/906; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/62; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A METHOD FOR LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PROVIDING A DEWAR HAVING AN OUTER WALL AND UPPER AND LOWER INNER CHAMBERS SEPARATED BY A COMMON HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD, SAID HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD HAVING A SURFACE AREA WHICH INCLUDES THE BOTTOM ONLY OF SAID UPPER CHAMBER AND THE TOP ONLY OF SAID LOWE CHAMBER AND WHICH SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT GOOD HEAT TRANSFER THEREBETWEEN, SAID BULKHEAD, PROVIDING THE ONLY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CHAMBERS, THERE BEING NO LIQUID COMMUNICATION THEREBETWEEN; INTRODUCING A CRYOGENIC LIQUID HAVING A BOILING POINT LOWER THAN THAT OF SAID NATURAL GAS INTO SAID UPPER CHAMBER; INTRODUCING SAID NATURAL GAS INTO THE TOP OF SAID LOWER CHAMBER AND INTO HEAT EXCHANGE CONTACT WITH SAID BULKHEAD, HEAT LOSS TO SAID CRYOGENIC LIQUID IN SAID UPPER CHAMBER THROUGH SAID HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD CAUSING LIQUEFACTION OF SAID NATURAL GAS IN SAID LOWER CHAMBER, SAID LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FALLING INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID LOWER CHAMBER, AWAY FROM SAID BULKHEAD, TO PREVENT FURTHER COOLING THEREOF; AND DELIVERING SAID LIQUEDIED NATURAL GAS FROM SAID LOWER CHAMBER TO A UTILIZATION DEVICE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A METHOD FOR LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: PROVIDING A DEWAR HAVING AN OUTER WALL AND UPPER AND LOWER INNER CHAMBERS SEPARATED BY A COMMON HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD, SAID HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD HAVING A SURFACE AREA WHICH INCLUDES THE BOTTOM ONLY OF SAID UPPER CHAMBER AND THE TOP ONLY OF SAID LOWE CHAMBER AND WHICH SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT GOOD HEAT TRANSFER THEREBETWEEN, SAID BULKHEAD, PROVIDING THE ONLY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CHAMBERS, THERE BEING NO LIQUID COMMUNICATION THEREBETWEEN; INTRODUCING A CRYOGENIC LIQUID HAVING A BOILING POINT LOWER THAN THAT OF SAID NATURAL GAS INTO SAID UPPER CHAMBER; INTRODUCING SAID NATURAL GAS INTO THE TOP OF SAID LOWER CHAMBER AND INTO HEAT EXCHANGE CONTACT WITH SAID BULKHEAD, HEAT LOSS TO SAID CRYOGENIC LIQUID IN SAID UPPER CHAMBER THROUGH SAID HEAT EXCHANGE BULKHEAD CAUSING LIQUEFACTION OF SAID NATURAL GAS IN SAID LOWER CHAMBER, SAID LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FALLING INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID LOWER CHAMBER, AWAY FROM SAID BULKHEAD, TO PREVENT FURTHER COOLING THEREOF; AND DELIVERING SAID LIQUEDIED NATURAL GAS FROM SAID LOWER CHAMBER TO A UTILIZATION DEVICE.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for liquefaction of natural gas comprising the steps of: providing a Dewar having an outer wall and upper and lower inner chambers separated by a common heat exchange bulkhead, said heat exchange bulkhead having a surface area which includes the bottom only of said upper chamber and the top only of said lower chamber and which is sufficient to permit good heat transfer therebetween, said bulkhead providing the only communication between said chambers, there being no liquid communication therebetween; introducing a cryogenic liquid having a boiling point lower than that of said natural gas into said upper chamber; introducing said natural gas into the top of said lower chamber and into heat exchange contact with said bulkhead, heat loss to said cryogenic liquid in said upper chamber through said heat exchange bulkhead causing liquefaction of said natural gas in said lower chamber, said liquefied natural gas falling into the lower portion of said lower chamber, away from said bulkhead, to prevent further cooling thereof; and delivering said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber to a utilization device.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
180 words
A method for liquefaction of natural gas comprising the steps of: providing a Dewar having an outer wall and upper and lower inner chambers separated by a common heat exchange bulkhead, said heat exchange bulkhead having a surface area which includes the bottom only of said upper chamber and the top only of said lower chamber and which is sufficient to permit good heat transfer therebetween, said bulkhead providing the only communication between said chambers, there being no liquid communication therebetween; introducing a cryogenic liquid having a boiling point lower than that of said natural gas into said upper chamber; introducing said natural gas into the top of said lower chamber and into heat exchange contact with said bulkhead, heat loss to said cryogenic liquid in said upper chamber through said heat exchange bulkhead causing liquefaction of said natural gas in said lower chamber, said liquefied natural gas falling into the lower portion of said lower chamber, away from said bulkhead, to prevent further cooling thereof; and delivering said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber to a utilization device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cryogenic liquid comprises liquid nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cryogenic liquid confined in said upper chamber and only the gaseous natural gas confined in said top of said lower chamber are in contact with opposiTe sides of said heat exchange bulkhead, there being no contact between said bulkhead and said liquefied natural gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of: providing a vent line from the top of said upper chamber; and conducting said natural gas into heat exchange relationship with said vent line from said upper chamber to precool said natural gas before introducing said natural gas into said lower chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of introducing said natural gas into the top of said lower chamber comprises the step of: conducting said natural gas through said outer wall of said Dewar and into said lower chamber without contacting said upper chamber to prevent freezing of said natural gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of delivering said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber comprises the step of: conducting said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber through said outer wall of said Dewar without contacting said upper chamber to prevent further cooling of said liquefied natural gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas comprising: a Dewar having an outer wall and upper and lower inner chambers separated by a common heat exchange bulkhead, said heat exchange bulkhead having a surface area which includes the bottom only of said upper chamber and the top only of said lower chamber and which is sufficient to permit good heat transfer therebetween, said bulkhead providing the only communication between said chambers, there being no liquid communication therebetween; means for introducing a cryogenic liquid having a boiling point lower than that of said natural gas into said upper chamber; inlet means passing through the outer wall of said Dewar and into said lower chamber without contacting said upper chamber for introducing said natural gas to said top of said lower chamber, only said gaseous natural gas in said top of said lower chamber coming into heat exchange contact with said bulkhead, heat loss to said cryogenic liquid in said upper chamber through said heat exchange bulkhead causing liquefaction of said natural gas in said lower chamber; and outlet means passing through said outer wall of said Dewar and into said lower chamber without contacting said upper chamber for delivering said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas comprising: a Dewar having an outer wall and upper and lower inner chambers separated by a common heat exchange bulkhead, said heat exchange bulkhead having a surface area which includes the bottom only of said upper chamber and the top only of said lower chamber and which is sufficient to permit good heat transfer therebetween, said bulkhead providing the only communication between said chambers, there being no liquid communication therebetween; means for introducing a cryogenic liquid having a boiling point lower than that of said natural gas into said upper chamber; inlet means passing through the outer wall of said Dewar and into said lower chamber without contacting said upper chamber for introducing said natural gas to said top of said lower chamber, only said gaseous natural gas in said top of said lower chamber coming into heat exchange contact with said bulkhead, heat loss to said cryogenic liquid in said upper chamber through said heat exchange bulkhead causing liquefaction of said natural gas in said lower chamber; and outlet means passing through said outer wall of said Dewar and into said lower chamber without contacting said upper chamber for delivering said liquefied natural gas from said lower chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said upper and lower inner chambers are spaced from said outer wall by an insulating space, liquid confined in said upper chamber and vapor confined n said lower chamber being in contact with opposite sides of said heat exchange bulkhead, there being no contact between said bulkhead and said liquefied natural gas confined in said lower chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for introducing said natural gas comprises a supply line to the vapor space at the top of said lower chamber and means for precooling gaseous natural gas in said supply line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising a vent line from said upper chamber, and wherein said means for precooling comprises heat exchange means communicating between said vent line and said supply line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for precooling comprises gas refrigeration means connected to said supply line.
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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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |