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Apparatus and method for pumping a cryogenic fluid from a storage vessel and diagnosing cryogenic pump performance

  • US 7,913,496 B2
  • Filed: 06/20/2008
  • Issued: 03/29/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for delivering a process fluid that is stored at a cryogenic temperature comprises:

  • (a) a storage vessel defining a thermally insulated cryogen space for storing said process fluid;

    (b) a cryogenic pump with a suction inlet in communication with said cryogen space and a discharge outlet in communication with a delivery conduit;

    (c) a heat exchanger disposed along said delivery conduit such that process fluid flowing through said delivery conduit flows through said heat exchanger;

    (d) a pressure sensor for measuring process fluid pressure in said delivery conduit downstream from said heat exchanger; and

    (e) an electronic controller programmed to;

    (i) monitor a signal representative of process fluid pressure that is measured by said pressure sensor;

    (ii) process said signal to determine from measured process fluid pressure when cryogenic pump performance is degraded; and

    (iii) send a signal to an operator of the apparatus indicating when said electronic controller determines that cryogenic pump performance has degraded below a predetermined threshold volumetric efficiency;

    (f) an accumulator vessel disposed downstream from said cryogenic pump;

    wherein said pressure sensor measures process fluid pressure within said delivery conduit indirectly by measuring process fluid pressure within said accumulator vessel.

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