Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
  • F17C1/002—Storage in barges or on ships
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
  • B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
  • B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
  • B63B25/12—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed
  • B63B25/16—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed heat-insulated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
  • B63B27/24—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/01—Shape
  • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
  • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/01—Shape
  • F17C2201/0138—Shape tubular
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/03—Orientation
  • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/03—Orientation
  • F17C2201/035—Orientation with substantially horizontal main axis
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/03—Orientation
  • F17C2201/037—Orientation with sloping main axis
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/05—Size
  • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/05—Size
  • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
  • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
  • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
  • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
  • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
  • F17C2203/0617—Single wall with one layer
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
  • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
  • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
  • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
  • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
  • F17C2203/0624—Single wall with four or more layers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
  • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
  • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
  • F17C2203/0636—Metals
  • F17C2203/0639—Steels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
  • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
  • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
  • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
  • F17C2205/0138—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels bundled in series
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/0323—Valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
  • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
  • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
  • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
  • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
  • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
  • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2225/035—High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2225/036—Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
  • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
  • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
  • F17C2227/0192—Propulsion of the fluid by using a working fluid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
  • F17C2227/043—Methods for emptying or filling by pressure cascade
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
  • F17C2260/021—Avoiding over pressurising
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
  • F17C2260/025—Reducing transfer time
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
  • F17C2270/0105—Ships
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
  • F17C2270/0136—Terminals
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
  • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
  • F17C2270/0147—Type of cavity by burying vessels

Definitions

• the present invention concerns transport, storage and distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG).
• CNG compressed natural gas
• the invention concerns a system for transport and storing of compressed natural gas (CNG) at high pressure (HP) and distribution of the stored compressed natural gas at high pressure (HP), medium pressure (MP) and low pressure (LP) at large industrial scale.
• CNG compressed natural gas
• HP high pressure
• MP medium pressure
• LP low pressure
• a pressure container for transportation of natural gas from a gas source at high pressure is associated with a low initial temperature because the gas must be choked before reaching the empty container, which involves a substantial pressure difference.
• the initial temperature may fall to e.g. -100 °C which will result in the formation of gas hydrates and ice unless the gas has been dried in a molecular sieve gas drier.
• the very low temperature may cause great material related problems for the construction. Further, very high gas speeds and choked flow in the tube system will occur, and the time for filling the tank can be very long.
• the transport container may be loaded directly without significant temperature problems.
• One example is high temperature gas downstream export compressors. Unloading from a pressure container is also associated with low temperatures. The receiving container will be subjected to expansion effects with associated low temperature during unloading of the transport container. A still more serious problem is the extremely low temperature which is obtained in the transport container per se due to expansion of gas in the container at near adiabatic conditions. The thermodynamic effect which occurs when gas in a container expands is different from the mechanism upon choking, and calculations show that the temperature of the gas and in the container upon unloading may sink to -150 °C.
• Patent Publication US 4446804 a process for transportation of oil and gas at high pressure in tanks on board a ship is disclosed, whereby loading and unloading are carried out using a suitable liquid under pressure, for instance water, in the separate tanks.
• the loading comprises filling a tank or group of tanks containing liquid under pressure with oil and gas while the pressurized liquid is simultaneously displaced to the next tank or group of tanks to be filled, whereupon the next tank/group of tanks is filled with the load while liquid under pressure is further displaced to a third tank/group of tanks and so on.
• the unloading comprises removing the load from one tank or group of tanks by introducing a liquid under pressure into the tank/group of tanks, unload the load in the next tank/group of tanks through the transfer of liquid under pressure from the first tank/group of tanks to the next one and so on, whereby the ratio between oil and gas in the mixture is kept as constant as possible during the entire unloading operation by adjusting the unloading of gas from the different tanks or groups of tanks.
• a system for transport and storage of compressed natural gas (CNG) at high pressure (HP) and distribution of said natural gas at high pressure (HP), medium pressure (MP) and low pressure (LP), which system comprises: i) transport units having one or several tanks for loading and transport of HP CNG and equipment for loading, internal transportation in the transport unit and unloading HP CNG and liquid at high pressure, ii) a storage unit having one or several tanks for storing of HP CNG and equipment for loading, internal transportation in the storage unit and unloading HP CNG and liquid at high pressure, and a storage tank for liquid which may be delivered at HP, MP and LP, and iii) a distribution unit comprising one or more tanks for HP CNG, one or more tanks for MP CNG and one or more tanks for LP CNG, which tanks are connected for distribution to consumers of HP CNG, MP CNG and LP CNG respectively, and equipment for loading HP CNG and internal transportation in the distribution unit of HP CNG, MP CNG and LP CNG and liquid, and equipment for
• the system according to the present invention is distinguished in that its lay out is such that during fluid communication to or between units of the system or internally between tanks of the separate units a closed loop may be formed wherein gas at specific pressure is transported from one or more first tanks to one or more second tanks while liquid at the same pressure as the gas or marginally higher pressure is transported from said one or more other tanks to said one or more first tanks, the volume in said one or more first tanks being approximately equal to the volume of said one or more other tanks.
• the present invention also concerns a process using the system according to the invention, distinguished by forming a closed loop at fluid communication to or between units of the system or internally between tanks of one unit, in which loop gas at specific pressure is transported from one or more first tanks to one or more other tanks while liquid at the same pressure as the gas or at marginally higher pressure is transported from said one or more other tanks to said one or more first tanks, whereby the volume in said one or more first tanks is approximately equal to, most preferably exactly equal to, the volume in said one or more other tanks.
• the gas is transported and stored typically at above 200 bar g.
• the concept according to the invention with a closed loop for fluid communication between tanks is conducive to relatively minor demands with respect to pumping of liquid under pressure. For said pumping it is rather only the friction pressure loss which must be overcome.
• FIGS 1 to 3 show different vessels for transportation according to the invention.
• Figures 4 to 9 illustrate use of the system according to the invention and working of the process according to the invention, more particularly when unloading.
• Figure 10 illustrates transportation at sea of CNG.
• Figure 11 illustrates features of a storage unit according to the invention.
• Figure 12 illustrates HP, MP and LP gas gathering lines at regional distribution centers.
• Figure 13 illustrates the distribution aspect of the system.
• pressurized liquid use is preferably made of ethanol, methanol, glycol, any other alcohol of low freezing temperature, liquid stable hydrocarbons or water. Most preferably, use is made of glycol. Because the liquid is nearly incompressible, the pressure effect with regard to the liquid would be near negligible and very good control when loading and unloading of a pressure container can be obtained.
• the transport unit, the storage unit and the distribution unit comprise more than one tank, preferably many tanks without any decisive upper limit for the number of tanks, provided that closed loops may be formed having mutually approximately equal volume between separate tanks or group of tanks in fluid communication, most preferably closed loops having mutually equal volume between separate tanks or group of tanks in fluid communication.
• two groups of tanks may be in fluid communication with each other in a closed loop. Accordingly, there is no decisive upper limit for the number of tanks in one unit.
• a typical example of the number of tanks for example in the storage unit is 160.
• both equal volume and equal pressure in the tanks or groups of tanks in fluid communication is most preferred.
• the pumps to pumping of liquid under pressure become the lowest ones because nearly only the friction pressure fall must be overcome by the pumping.
• the pumping must compensate for the pressure difference and/or temperature effects of previously mentioned types that will occur.
• a pump must apply a marginal additional pressure to the liquid in order to obtain the desired flow in the loop.
• marginal pressure the pressure differential of the pump is meant, which preferably is chosen to be 0.1 -5 bar, most preferred 0.2-3 bar. Every pump which may fulfill the desired function with respect to differential pressure and amount of flow can be used.
• a typical transportation unit for use in the system and the process according to the invention is a marine transport ship having a loading volume of for example 30000 m .
• Many different concepts for vessels and transportation are possible, however, the three most preferred ones have been illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
• Figure 1 a concept having long, horizontal tubes of large diameter (for example 48") arranged in layers.
• Figure 2 the so called “Coselle”-concept has been illustrated which is a patented concept for transportation at sea of CNG in several large coils of relatively small tubes.
• vertical containers have been illustrated, produced from steel tubes of commercial type (e.g. 48").
• the storage unit according to the invention preferably comprises many tube sections arranged in parallel and with small inclination to the horizontal, with access possibility to the ends of the tube sections, the tube sections being sections of commercially available steel tubes.
• the steel tubes for storing CNG at e.g. 200 barg may be of a type and quality corresponding to those for underwater pipelines for corresponding pressure, several tubes being installed together and making up a "bank” of tube segments.
• a typical tube diameter may be 48" and a typical length 100-400 m.
• the angle of inclination to the horizontal is preferably 2° to 4°.
• Table 1 some typical values for the case of a storage unit of 30000 m 3 have been summarized.
• the tubes may be installed underground, for example under a bank.
• the tube ends must be accessible for gas couplings and inspection of the reservoir.
• Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the storage unit.
• Table 1 Typical values for a sectioned CNG storage unit.
• the gas will replace liquid flowing from a specific part of the storage unit to the storage containers of the transport unit in fluid communication, whereby the gas which is unloaded will be displaced to the storage unit.
• the flow occurs in the closed loop with change of gas and liquid at a constant high pressure, and a small pressure difference is necessary in order to overcome the friction pressure fall.
• a basic feature of the invention is the splitting up or segmentation of both the tanks of the transport unit and the tanks of the storage unit.
• Both units may comprise several pressure containers produced from commercially available steel tubes which may be coupled together in groups.
• the separate tanks of the transport unit or groups of tanks shall most preferably have the same volume as the separate tanks or groups of tanks of the storage unit. During the change of gas it is only need for a smaller amount of liquid corresponding to the volume of the segment or tank.
• the transport unit is fully loaded and ready for unloading. Liquid is pumped from the storage tank of the transport unit to the first segment (a tank or a group of tanks) in the storage unit. See Figure 4.
• the gas connection is opened and the first pressure segment (group of pressure tanks) in the vessel is connected to the first segment of the storage unit.
• a small pressure drop will take place because this is the first segment to be filled, and the gas transport devices must be placed under pressure.
• the system is now a closed loop at approximately the same pressure as the original transport pressure, and the pump can move the liquid from the storage unit to the transport unit.
• the gas will be displaced from the transport unit, through the gas transport devices and to the storage unit. Only a small pressure increase in the liquid is necessary in order to overcome the friction pressure fall. See Figure 5.
• the concept of the distribution unit enables continuous distribution of gas at different pressures, to for example high pressure pipelines and tank lorries, medium pressure pipelines and low pressure gas network.
• high pressure typically 175-200 bara is meant.
• medium pressure typically 100-175 bara is meant.
• low pressure typically 10-100 bara is meant.
• Said pressure limits may be freely deviated from and according to the invention there is in principle no restrictions concerning how high pressure that can be used, provided tanks and other equipment in appropriate pressure class may be supplied and the distinguishing features of the invention be maintained.
• the distribution unit may comprise many tanks for CNG in each pressure range, preferably tanks of corresponding type as in the storage unit, so that loading from the storage unit may take place simply and uniformly.
• the tanks may be in the form of tube sections mounted at a small angle (2° - 4°) to the horizontal in order to drain the liquid which is used during the loading sequence. This enables delivery of natural gas at high pressure at any time. If the loading pressure is 200 barg, one single tank may deliver gas at close pressure for only a short period of time. If the storage unit comprises many HP tanks, one single tank may deliver HP gas until the tank pressure falls towards the limit for the receiving unit. Then a new tank may take over, and the first tank may be used for delivery of MP natural gas and then for delivery of LP natural gas. Accordingly, the distribution unit may be optimized for the necessary delivery, independent upon whether this is at HP, MP or LP.
• the further storage tank for liquid may be connected in order to deliver or receive liquid as demanded in order to avoid or cushion the previously mentioned temperature effects.
• the previously mentioned significant temperature effects are prevented.
• the sectioned transport, storage and distribution according to the invention for compressed natural gas at a pressure which may be higher than 220 barg and at surrounding temperature confers many advantages of which the most important ones are:
• a compact storage unit compared with a traditional underground installation.
• Gas network for delivery of gas at HP, MP and LP can be connected.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

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Cited By (5)

Citations (3)

• 2001
  • 2001-07-09 NO NO20013394A patent/NO315723B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2002
  • 2002-06-26 WO PCT/NO2002/000234 patent/WO2003006309A1/en active Search and Examination

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