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Method for measuring compressed natural gas

  • US 5,970,786 A
  • Filed: 09/25/1997
  • Issued: 10/26/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for approximating a volume of compressed natural gas dispensed from a pressurized storage vessel into a fuel tank wherein the water volume of the fuel tank is known, comprising:

  • (a) measuring an ambient temperature surrounding the fuel tank;

    (b) measuring an initial pressure level of the fuel tank;

    (c) calculating an initial standardized volume of gas contained within the fuel tank based upon the ambient temperature, the initial pressure level and an approximate compressibility of the gas, and multiplying the initial standardized volume of gas by a temperature correction factor to compensate for the difference in temperature between the ambient temperature and a standardized temperature, wherein the temperature correction factor comprises multiplying the initial standardized volume of gas by an empirically-derived temperature-to-pressure relationship for the gas and the fuel tanks;

    (d) dispensing the gas into the fuel tank to a desired final pressure level;

    (e) calculating a final standardized volume of gas contained within the fuel tank based upon the final pressure level and assuming no change in the compressibility of the gas; and

    then(f) subtracting the initial standardized volume of gas from the final standardized volume of gas to yield an actual volume of gas dispensed from the storage vessel.

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