SUBTERRANEAN GAS STORAGE ASSEMBLY

• US 20200132250A1
• Filed: 10/23/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Douglas Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
• Original Assignee: Michael Douglas Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
• Inventors: Mercer, Ronald R., Mercer, Michael Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 10,837,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 5/00 Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/007 Underground or underwater storage
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0119 with flat end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/013 Two or more vessels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0323 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0394 in direct contact with the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/032 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0142 placed underground
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0147 by burying vessels

Abstract

Various embodiments are generally directed to a unit secured in a single subterranean bore. The unit can be configured to store compressed hydrocarbon gas in at least one of a plurality of separate vessels that are respectively attached via at least one retainer. An anchor feature may be employed to center the unit within the single subterranean bore.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a unit secured in a single subterranean bore, the unit comprising a plurality of separate vessels attached via at least one retainer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit is secured in the single subterranean bore by cement.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cement continuously flows between the plurality of vessels to surround the unit and contact a sidewall of the single subterranean bore.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each vessel of the plurality of separate vessels comprises a body sealed by a top cap and a bottom cap.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the top cap and bottom cap comprises a threaded connection with the body.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the top cap and bottom cap comprises an elastomer seal contacting the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of the top cap and bottom cap comprises a metal-to-metal seal proximal the elastomer seal.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the body extends into a channel of the at least one of the top cap and bottom cap, the channel concurrently contacting opposite sides of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a beveled surface positioned to contact the channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the top cap comprises a port offset from a center of at least one of the top cap and bottom cap, the port aligned with a valve positioned within the body.

11. An assembly comprising a unit secured in a single subterranean bore by an anchor feature, the unit comprising a plurality of separate vessels attached via at least one retainer, the anchor feature comprising a self-centering bowspring.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the self-centering bowspring comprises a plurality of separate plates connected by a plurality of bows.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each bow of the plurality of bows is attached to a hinge, the hinge restricting movement of the bow to an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the single subterranean bore.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each plate of the plurality of separate plates has a triangular shape.

15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein a first plate of the plurality of separate plates is secured to an anchor pole, a second plate of the plurality of separate plates disconnected from the anchor pole.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the anchor plate continuously extends from a floor of the single subterranean bore to the unit through each plate of the plurality of separate plates.

17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each plate of the plurality of plates has a width that is less than the width of the single subterranean bore.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the anchor pole is centered within the single subterranean bore by the self-centering bowspring.

19. A system comprising a unit secured in a single subterranean bore, the unit comprising a plurality of separate vessels attached via at least one retainer, an anchor attached to the at least one retainer.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one inlet check valve and at least one outlet check valve are each connected to the plurality of separate vessels.