Refrigerant Exchange, Recycling and Banking System and Computer Program Product

• US 20140156455A1
• Filed: 11/27/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polar Technology, LLC
• Original Assignee: Polar Technology, LLC
• Inventors: Atwood, Ralph Ted, Sanders, Chase Daniel, Sanders, William Samuel
• Application Number:
  US14/092,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20140156455A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.25
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/30 Administration of product recycling or disposal
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0607 Regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/845 Inventory and reporting systems for greenhouse gases [GHG]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/00 Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation

Abstract

A refrigerant life cycle management and compliance tracking and monitoring system and method for maintaining large quantities of refrigerant stored and transported in bulk tanks and containers. The system is customizable and can be used to store, track and compile regulatory and status information about a refrigerant being transported in tanks and any other data relevant to the quality, status or custody of a tank and its contents. The system and method allow access to database information by compliance officers and inspectors for required regulatory reporting. The system and method are accessible through a web browser or mobile application.

Claims

1. A method of managing a refrigerant, comprising:

receiving a customer ID;

receiving a first amount of the refrigerant in a tank;

crediting the first amount of the refrigerant to an account based on the customer ID;

determining a difference between the first amount of the refrigerant and a second amount of the refrigerant; and

removing the second amount of the refrigerant from the account.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a purity of the refrigerant in the tank.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a gas type of the refrigerant in the tank.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

paying the account for the second amount of the refrigerant.

5. A method, comprising:

identifying a plurality of tanks containing a refrigerant using assigned tags;

associating each tank with an electronic record for that tank; and

retrieving a gas type, weight and purity of the refrigerant based on the assigned tag.