Dual-service system and method for compressing and dispensing natural gas and hydrogen
First Claim
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1. A dual service system for use in compressing and dispensing pressurized gas, the system comprising:
- a methane gas source at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;
a hydrogen gas source at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;
a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet communicating selectively with the methane gas source, with the hydrogen gas source, and with both the methane gas source and the hydrogen gas source, and the outlet having a discharge pressure greater than the inlet pressure of the methane gas and hydrogen gas;
valves selectively controlling the flow of methane gas and hydrogen gas to the compressor;
a cooler in fluid communication with the compressor outlet, the cooler being operable at a gas pressure at least as great as the discharge pressure of the compressor; and
a dispenser in downstream fluid communication with the cooler.
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Abstract
A dual service system and method for selectively compressing and dispensing methane, hydrogen, and variable mixtures of methane and hydrogen for use as a gaseous fuel. The use of an in-line gas density meter, hydraulic intensifier, pressurized gas cooler, optional intermediate storage and multiple dispensers are disclosed. An inline gas density meter is used in combination with a programmable logic controller and a control valve on the hydrogen supply line to create a closed feedback loop for selectively controlling the hydrogen content of the resultant pressurized fuel gas.
69 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A dual service system for use in compressing and dispensing pressurized gas, the system comprising:
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a methane gas source at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; a hydrogen gas source at an inlet pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet communicating selectively with the methane gas source, with the hydrogen gas source, and with both the methane gas source and the hydrogen gas source, and the outlet having a discharge pressure greater than the inlet pressure of the methane gas and hydrogen gas; valves selectively controlling the flow of methane gas and hydrogen gas to the compressor; a cooler in fluid communication with the compressor outlet, the cooler being operable at a gas pressure at least as great as the discharge pressure of the compressor; and a dispenser in downstream fluid communication with the cooler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for compressing, cooling and dispensing methane and hydrogen, comprising the steps of:
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providing separate low-pressure sources of methane and hydrogen; selectively combining and compressing methane and hydrogen in desired ratios to produce a pressurized fuel gas having a pressure greater than the low-pressure sources of methane and hydrogen; cooling the pressurized fuel gas; and dispensing the pressurized fuel gas. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification