Mobile delivery and storage system for cryogenic fluids

• US 5,954,101 A
• Filed: 12/01/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mve, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mve, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drube, Paul Arnold, Emmer, Claus D., Turner, Jon Robert, Preston, Audrey Duane, Drube, Thomas Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/982,166
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2-4, 141/11, 141/18, 141/21, 141/82, 141/231, 141/198, 62/7, 62/50.1, 62/50.2, 62/50.6, 62/53.2, 220/560.04, 220/560.1, 220/560.11
• US Class Current: 141/82
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/30 actuating a gate valve or sliding valve
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/035 with substantially horizontal main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0391 by vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0146 with details of the manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0323 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0391 inside the pressure vessel
• 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 2225/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/044 at several points, e.g. with a device for recondensing gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0121 by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0135 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0178 in the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/044 by purging
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0413 : with floats
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0434 : Pressure difference
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0443 : Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 : Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/031 : due to heat transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0171 : Trucks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/00 : Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure

Abstract

A delivery and storage system for cryogenic fluids features a vehicle mounted dispensing system including a bulk storage tank that feeds cryogenic liquid to a sump containing a pump to pre-cool the pump. The pump feeds cryogenic liquid to another sump containing a meter so as to cool the meter. A valve selectively routes the cryogenic liquid from the meter sump to the bulk storage tank as the meter cools down. When the meter reaches operating temperature, cryogenic liquid is directed through the meter to a dispensing hose. The cryogenic liquid is dispensed into a liquid cylinder. The liquid cylinder features an automatic shut-off device to reduce the flow of the cryogenic liquid into the cylinder when the cylinder is full. The inner shell is held to the outer shell at the top by a combination stainless steel hose and composite cylinder neck. The bottom of the inner shell features a pair of pins which are supported by a strap across the bottom portion of the outer shell interior.

Claims

1. A system adapted to be mounted to a vehicle for storing and delivering cryogenic liquid to a use point comprising:

a) a bulk storage tank containing a cryogenic liquid;

b) a sump containing a pump disposed below the level of said storage tank;

c) a pump supply line connected between said bulk storage tank and said sump so that the cryogenic liquid flows by gravity to said sump so that said pump is submersed in the cryogenic liquid;

d) a meter sump having an inlet, an outlet and a meter disposed therein;

e) a meter supply duct connected between said pump and the inlet of said meter sump so that the cryogenic liquid is pumped to the meter sump to cool the meter;

f) a recirculation control valve in circuit between the outlet of said meter sump and said bulk storage tank so that the cryogenic liquid flowing through the meter sump may be directed to the bulk storage tank while the meter is cooling down and thereafter redirected through the meter; and

g) a dispensing hose connected to said meter so that cryogenic liquid entering the meter flows through the dispensing hose to the use point.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a liquid cylinder located at the use point and having a fill line adapted to be removably connected to the dispensing hose so that the cryogenic liquid flows into said liquid cylinder.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a means for automatically stopping the flow of cryogenic liquid into the liquid cylinder when a predetermined quantity of cryogenic liquid has entered the liquid cylinder.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a force feed valve and a heat exchanger in circuit between said pump and said bulk storage tank so that the cryogenic liquid may be selectively routed by the force feed valve through the heat exchanger so as to pressurize said bulk storage tank.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a resistance temperature device in communication with said meter sump, said resistance temperature device indicating when the meter is at a predetermined temperature.

6. A system for delivering and storing cryogenic liquid at a use point comprising:

a) a mobile dispensing system adapted for mounting to a vehicle, said mobile dispensing system including;

i) a bulk storage tank containing a cryogenic liquid;

ii) a sump containing cryogenic liquid due to fluid communication with said bulk storage tank;

iii) a pump submersed in said sump and for pumping cryogenic liquid from said sump;

iv) a dispensing hose;

v) a meter in circuit between said pump and said dispensing hose so that the cryogenic fluid is pumped through said meter to said dispensing hose; and

b) a liquid cylinder located at the use point and including;

i) an outer shell having a top portion and a bottom portion;

ii) an inner shell having a top portion and a bottom portion and defining an interior, said inner shell disposed within said outer shell so that a space is defined between the inner and outer shells, said space being evacuated to below atmospheric pressure;

iii) a neck securing the top portion of the inner shell to the top portion of the outer shell; and

iv) a fill line removably connected to the dispensing hose of the mobile dispensing system, said fill line passing through the neck and into the interior of the liquid cylinder so that a flow of cryogenic liquid into the interior may occur;

wherein said neck includes;

a) an inner hose having a wavy wall construction, said inner hose connected to the inner and outer shells; and

b) a cylinder surrounding said inner hose and connected to the inner and outer shells.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a means for stopping the flow of cryogenic liquid into the interior of the liquid cylinder when a predetermined quantity of cryogenic liquid has entered the interior.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising a force feed valve and a heat exchanger in circuit between said pump and said bulk storage tank so that the cryogenic liquid may be selectively routed by the force feed valve through the heat exchanger so as to pressurize said bulk storage tank.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

a) a strap disposed within the bottom portion of the outer shell of the liquid cylinder, said strap having a hole therethrough; and

b) a pin disposed upon the bottom portion of the inner shell of the liquid cylinder, said pin engaging the hole of the strap.