Method and apparatus for fueling vehicles with liquefied cryogenic fuel

• US 5,687,776 A
• Filed: 07/01/1994
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (Mcdermott International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
• Inventors: Conrad, Mervyn Ladd, Forgash, David John, Neuhalfen, Bryan Patrick, Rhoades, George D., Kooy, Richard John, Sudduth, Jack Wayne, Korzonas, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US08/270,011
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/4, 141/5, 141/11, 141/2, 141/18, 141/82, 141/197, 62/50.1, 62/50.2, 62/50.4, 62/50.3, 62/45.1, 222/146.2, 222/146.4, 222/146.5, 222/318, 222/71, 137/501
• US Class Current: 141/11
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0135 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0157 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/04 Methods for emptying or filling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/01 Intermediate tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/02 Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/065 for refueling vehicle fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/007 for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles filling with liquid fuel not under pressure, B60S5/02, B67D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/00 Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage

Abstract

Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, the vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmer to a subcooled or near saturated condition; and

(d) a second conduit communicating with the heat exchanger and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the second conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage as a liquid therein at an approximate saturated condition

(e) a third conduit communicating with the primary tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving fluid from the vehicle fuel tank and feeding it to the primary tank to reduce the internal pressure of the vehicle fuel tank.

2. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed to a subcooled or near saturated condition; and

(d) a second conduit communicating with the heat exchanger and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the second conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage as a liquid therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

a third conduit communicating with the heat exchanger and the primary tank, the third conduit for receiving the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger and feeding it to the primary tank to maintain the pressure in the primary tank above a predetermined minimum pressure.

3. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it through a control valve to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is converted to pressurized cryogenic fuel vapor at a temperature approaching that of a heat source for the heat exchanger;

(d) a reservoir in vapor communication with said heat exchanger for receiving and storing warmed and pressurized cryogenic fuel vapor;

(e) a second conduit having means for transferring warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to a vehicle fuel tank at a subcooled or near saturated condition;

(f) a liquid conduit communicating with the first conduit downstream of the pump and with the second conduit, the liquid conduit including a control valve for receiving and controlling the flow of pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the first conduit to the second conduit; and

(g) a vapor conduit communicating with the reservoir and the second conduit, the vapor conduit including a control valve for controlling the flow of warmed and pressurized cryogenic fuel from the reservoir to the second conduit for mixture with the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to form a warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel in the second conduit at an approximate saturated condition.

4. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the primary tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed to a subcooled or near saturated condition;

(d) a plurality of fueling conduits communicating with the heat exchanger and each fueling conduit having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the fueling conduits each including a flow restrictor for controlling the flow of warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein as a liquid therein at a subcooled or an approximate saturated condition; and

(e) a plurality of mechanical regulators, each regulator having means for sensing fluid flow pressure drop across one of the flow restrictors and means for reducing the flow of warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to a vehicle fuel tank in response to high fluid flow pressure drop in a restrictor to maintain a relatively uniform pressure drop across each of the flow restrictors.

5. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchange;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition; and

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition and the third conduit includes a pump.

6. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition, the third conduit includes a temperature control valve; and

(g) a fourth conduit in communication with the first conduit downstream of the pump and with the temperature control valve, the fourth conduit for receiving pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the first conduit and feeding it to the temperature control valve for mixture with warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel in the third conduit.

7. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

(g) a fourth conduit communicating with the primary tank and having means for communicating with the vehicle fuel tank, the fourth conduit for receiving fluid from the vehicle fuel tank and returning it to the primary tank to reduce the internal pressure of the vehicle fuel tank.

8. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

(g) a fourth conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with the vehicle fuel tank, the fourth conduit for receiving fluid from the vehicle and returning it to the dispensing tank to reduce the internal pressure of the vehicle fuel tank.

9. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the presssurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

(g) a fourth conduit communicating with the heat exchanger and the primary insulated tank, the fourth conduit for receiving the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger and feeding it to the primary insulated tank as needed for maintaining the pressure in the primary storage tank above a predetermined minimum pressure.

10. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank defining a vapor space therein;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a third conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

(g) a fourth conduit communicating with the first conduit downstream of the pump and with the vapor space in the dispensing tank, the fourth conduit for receiving pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the first conduit and feeding it to the vapor space in the dispensing tank to maintain the pressure in the dispensing tank below a predetermined maximum pressure.

11. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it through a control valve to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is converted to pressurized and vaporized cryogenic fuel near at a temperature approaching that of a heat source for the heat exchanger;

(d) a reservoir in vapor communication with the heat exchanger having means for receiving and storing pressurized and cryogenic fuel vapor from the heat exchanger;

(e) stationary insulated dispensing tank having means for receiving and storing warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a liquid conduit communicating with the first conduit downstream from the pump and with the dispensing tank, the liquid conduit including a control valve for receiving and controlling the flow of pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the first conduit to the dispensing tank;

(g) a vapor conduit communicating with the reservoir and the dispensing tank, the vapor conduit including a control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized and vaporized cryogenic fuel from the reservoir to the dispensing tank for mixture with pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to form a pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel at an approximate saturated condition; and

(h) a second conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for feeding warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank to a vehicle fuel tank.

12. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is warmed;

(d) a stationary cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(e) a second conduit for feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the stationary dispensing tank for storage in the dispensing tank at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a plurality of fueling conduits communicating with the dispensing tank and each fueling conduit having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the fueling conduits each including a flow restrictor for controlling the flow of warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank for storage therein at an approximate saturated condition; and

(g) a plurality of mechanical regulators, each regulator having means for sensing fluid flow pressure drop across one of the flow restrictors and means for reducing the flow of warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to a vehicle fuel tank in response to excessively high fluid flow drop in a restrictor to maintain a relatively uniform pressure drop across each of the flow restrictors.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising:

(h) a second pump for withdrawing warmed liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to the fueling conduits.

14. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point and including a vapor space containing cryogenic fuel;

(b) a first conduit communicating with the primary storage tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary storage tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel, and feeding it to a vehicle fuel tank;

(c) a second conduit communicating with the vapor space in the primary storage tank and with the first conduit downstream of the pump, the second conduit including a compressor for withdrawing cryogenic fuel from the vapor space, increasing the pressure of cryogenic fuel and feeding it to the first conduit for mixture with the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to form a warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel that is at a subcooled or near saturated condition; and

(d) a third conduit communicating with the primary tank and having means for communicating with a vehicle fuel tank, the third conduit for receiving fluid from the vehicle fuel tank and feeding it to the primary tank to reduce the internal pressure of the vehicle fuel tank.

15. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition;

(c) reducing the internal pressure of an insulated vehicle fuel tank by allowing fluid to flow from the vehicle fuel tank to the primary insulated storage tank, the vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form at an approximate saturated condition; and

(d) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to the vehicle fuel tank.

16. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to a vehicle fuel tank, the vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition; and

(d) feeding warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the primary tank to maintain the pressure in the primary tank above a predetermined minimum pressure.

17. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a plurality of restrictors, each restrictor communicating with a different vehicle fuel tank;

(d) sensing pressure drop across the restrictors; and

(e) maintaining a predetermined pressure drop across each of the restrictors.

18. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank located at a vehicle liquefied cryogenic fuel dispensing facility and storing the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the dispensing tank in an approximate saturated condition;

(d) reducing the internal pressure of a vehicle fuel tank by allowing fluid to flow from the vehicle fuel tank to the primary insulated storage tank, the vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form at an approximate saturated condition; and

(e) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to the vehicle fuel tank.

19. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank located at a vehicle liquefied cryogenic fuel dispensing facility and storing the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the dispensing tank in an approximate saturated condition;

(d) reducing the internal pressure of a vehicle fuel tank by allowing fluid to flow from the vehicle fuel tank to the dispensing tank, the vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form at an approximate saturated condition; and

(e) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to the vehicle fuel tank.

20. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank and storing the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the dispensing tank in an approximate saturated condition;

(d) transferring liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank to a vehicle fuel tank so that the liquefied cryogenic fuel is in an approximate saturated condition; and

(e) feeding warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to the primary tank to maintain the pressure in the primary tank above a predetermined minimum pressure.

21. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and the feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank and storing the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the dispensing tank in an approximate saturated condition;

(d) transferring liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank to a vehicle fuel tank so that the liquefied cryogenic fuel is in an approximate saturated condition; and

(e) feeding pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to the dispensing tank to maintain the pressure in the dispensing tank below a predetermined maximum pressure.

22. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to an approximate saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank;

(d) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank through a plurality of restrictors, each restrictor communicating with a different vehicle fuel tank;

(e) sensing pressure drop across the restrictors; and

(f) maintaining a predetermined pressure drop across each of the restrictors.

23. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel;

(c) withdrawing cryogenic fuel from a vapor space in the primary insulated storage tank and mixing it with the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to from a warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel at a subcooled or near saturated condition; and

(e) reducing the internal pressure of a vehicle fuel tank by allowing fuel to flow from the vehicle fuel tank to the primary insulated storage tank.

24. A method comprising:

(a) withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and the feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition;

(c) feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the heat exchanger to a stationary insulated cryogenic fuel dispensing tank located at a vehicle liquefied cryogenic fuel dispensing facility and storing the liquefied cryogenic fuel in the dispensing tank in an approximate saturated condition; and

(d) withdrawing warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and pumping the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a vehicle fuel tank.

25. Apparatus comprising:

(a) a primary insulated storage tank containing liquefied cryogenic fuel at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point;

(b) a heat exchanger;

(c) a first conduit communicating with the primary tank and with the heat exchanger, the first conduit including a pump for withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel from the primary tank, increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and feeding it through a control valve to the heat exchanger wherein the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel is converted to pressurized and vaporized cryogenic fuel near a temperature approaching that of a heat source for the heat exchanger;

(d) a reservoir in vapor communication with the heat exchanger having means for receiving and storing pressurized and cryogenic fuel vapor from the heat exchanger;

(e) a stationary insulated dispensing tank having means for receiving and storing warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel at an approximate saturated condition;

(f) a liquid conduit communicating with the first conduit downstream from the pump and with the dispensing tank, the liquid conduit including a control valve for receiving and controlling the flow of pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the first conduit to the dispensing tank;

(g) a vapor conduit communicating with the reservoir and the liquid conduit, the vapor conduit including a control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized and vaporized cryogenic fuel from the reservoir to the liquid conduit for mixture with pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to form a pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel at an approximate saturated condition; and

(h) a second conduit communicating with the dispensing tank and having means for feeding warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank to a vehicle fuel tank.

26. Apparatus of claim 25 wherein the second conduit includes a pump for withdrawing warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel from the dispensing tank and feeding it to the second conduit.