Modular compressed natural gas system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of supplying compressed hydrocarbon gas from a standardized shipping container having an interior and a roof, comprising:
- disposing a compressor package in the interior of the container to define a modular compression system;
mounting at least one storage tank on the roof of the container;
mounting a louvered vent in an opening on the roof of the container, wherein the louvered vent is directly adjacent to the tank and positioned such that the tank does not substantially overlap the louvered vent;
transporting the modular compression system to a location having a supply of hydrocarbon gas;
compressing hydrocarbon gas from the supply of hydrocarbon gas to form compressed hydrocarbon gas; and
delivering the compressed hydrocarbon gas to the storage tank for subsequent dispensing to a vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compression system is disposed in a container and shipped to a location having a supply of natural gas. The compression system connects to the natural gas supply, compresses gas from the supply, and provides compressed gas to a consumer. The container, which can be a standardized ISO shipping container, is fitted with removable vents at designated locations. Strategic positioning of compression system components in combination with the removable vents allows for ready access to the compression system for repair and maintenance.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of supplying compressed hydrocarbon gas from a standardized shipping container having an interior and a roof, comprising:
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disposing a compressor package in the interior of the container to define a modular compression system; mounting at least one storage tank on the roof of the container; mounting a louvered vent in an opening on the roof of the container, wherein the louvered vent is directly adjacent to the tank and positioned such that the tank does not substantially overlap the louvered vent; transporting the modular compression system to a location having a supply of hydrocarbon gas; compressing hydrocarbon gas from the supply of hydrocarbon gas to form compressed hydrocarbon gas; and delivering the compressed hydrocarbon gas to the storage tank for subsequent dispensing to a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of generating a supply of compressed natural gas using an International Standards Organization (ISO) shipping container having an interior, a roof and a length greater than a width, the method comprising:
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a. installing a natural gas compressor package in the interior of the ISO shipping container to define a modular compressed natural gas unit; b. mounting a plurality of storage tanks on the roof in a first portion of the roof; c. providing a louvered vent in an opening of a second portion of the roof directly adjacent the storage tanks and positioned such that the tanks do not substantially overlap the louvered vent, the louvered vent comprising selectively movable louvers to open and close the vent, and moving the louvers in a direction to open the vent when the compressor package is operating, and moving the louvers in an opposite direction to close the vent when the compressor package is at rest; d. directing a supply of natural gas to the compressor package; and e. compressing the natural gas in the compressor package to generate compressed gas and delivering the compressed natural gas to the storage tanks on the roof for subsequent dispensing to vehicles. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for compressing and dispensing compressed natural gas comprising:
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a container having an interior and a roof; a compressor package disposed in the interior of the container to define a modular compression system, and that comprises an inlet line connected to a supply of natural gas and an outlet; at least one storage tank mounted on the roof of the container in selective communication with the outlet for storing the natural gas compressed by the compressor package; the storage tank being in selective communication with a dispenser for dispensing the compressed natural gas from the storage tank into a vessel of a vehicle; and mounting a louvered vent in an opening in the roof, wherein the louvered vent is directly adjacent to the tank and positioned such that the tank does not overlap the louvered vent. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for compressing hydrocarbon gas comprising:
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a standardized shipping container having sidewalls, a first end, a second end, a length extending from the first end to the second end that is greater than a width between the sidewalls, and a roof; the roof having a first portion extending from the first end partway toward the second end, the roof having a second portion extending from a junction with the first portion to the second end; a compressor package in the container to define a modular compression system, and which comprises a compressor, a compressor driver, piping, and valves in the piping that are strategically oriented and located in the shipping container, so that locations of maintenance of the compressor, driver, piping, and valves are accessible through selectively opened access elements in sidewalls of the container; an inlet line connected to the compressor package that is selectively connected to a supply of hydrocarbon gas; a plurality of gas storage tanks in selectively communication with an outlet of the compressor package for storing hydrocarbon gas compressed by the compressor package, each of the tanks having a cylindrical portion with an axis, the tanks being mounted entirely on the first portion of the roof with the axes parallel with each other and extending from the first end toward the second end of the container; a fan cooler in the shipping container that is in fluid communication with a louvered vent in an opening in the roof of the container in the second portion of the roof, wherein the louvered vent is directly adjacent to the tanks and positioned such that the tanks do not substantially overlap the louvered vent, and wherein the louvered vent comprises a series of louvers that are moveable for selectively opening and closing the louvered vent; and an exit line connected to the storage tanks for transporting hydrocarbon gas from the storage tanks to a dispenser for dispensing into a motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification