Method and apparatus for delivering fuel gas
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for transporting, delivering, and storing fuel gases. The fuel gases may be delivered or transported to destinations where they are needed most. The fuel gases of the present disclosure may be useful for the operation of certain technology powered by fuel gases or any other suitable purpose.
1 . A distribution system for transporting fuel gas from a fuel gas source to at least one end user location, comprising:
a fuel gas source;
a fuel gas delivery line fluidly coupled to the fuel gas source and configured to carry pressurized fuel gas;
at least one inlet in fluid communication with the fuel gas delivery line, said inlet configured to receive fuel gas from the fuel gas source, and at least one outlet configured to deliver fuel gas to at least one end user location;
a sensor fluidly connected to a sample tap point of said fuel gas source configured to measure the value of at least one fluid characteristic within a fuel gas sample from said fuel gas source;
at least one shutoff valve fluidly coupled to said fuel gas delivery line configured to selectively close and isolate selected sections of said fuel gas delivery line; and
a monitoring system, in electronic communication with the at least one shutoff valve, said monitoring system configured to receive the measured value of the at least one fluid characteristic and determine if the at least one fluid characteristic comports with a predetermined range of values,
wherein the monitoring system is configured to cause the at least one shutoff valve to open only when the at least one fluid characteristic comports with the predetermined range of values.
2 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one flow meter in fluid communication with an inlet, said at least one flow meter configured to measure fuel gas flowing through at least one shutoff valve; and
a monitoring system, in communication with said at least one flow meter configured to record the quantity of fuel gas flowing through said at least one shutoff valve.
3 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 2 , wherein at least one shutoff valve is configured to selectively close once a predetermined quantity of fuel gas has flowed through said at least one shutoff valve.
4 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 3 , further comprising:
at least one additional flow meter in fluid communication with said fuel gas delivery line, said flow meter configured to measure the quantity of fuel gas flowing through said fuel gas delivery line outlet; and
a monitoring system, in communication with said at least one additional flow meter configured to record the quantity of fuel gas flowing through said fuel gas delivery line outlet.
5 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 4 , further comprising a database for recording one or more data elements, optionally accompanied by a date, time and location stamp of such data element entry into said database, said entry identifying information about the person or autonomous collection equipment entering such one or more data elements and/or the basis for such data element.
6 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more data elements are selected from the group consisting of: a predetermined range of values for at least one fluid characteristic; the value of at least one fluid characteristic and the identity of the sample to which said value pertains; the identifier of a fuel gas sample and the identity of the sample tap point from which such sample was taken; the identifier of the shutoff valve and the identity of the inlet to the fuel gas delivery line to which such shutoff valve pertains; the identifier of the fuel gas source and the identity of the owner of such fuel gas source; the identifier of a fuel gas source and the identity of the inlet to the fuel gas delivery line through which fuel gas in such fuel gas source flows into said fuel gas delivery line; the identifier of the at least one flow meter and the identity of the inlet to the fuel gas delivery line to which said at least one flow meter pertains; the quantity of fuel gas flowing through the at least one flow meter and the identity of the at least one flow meter to which said inlet pertains; the identifier of the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the fuel gas delivery line outlet to which said at least one additional flow meter pertains; the quantity of fuel gas flowing through the at least one additional flow meter and the identity of the additional flow meter to which such fuel gas delivery line outlet pertains; and the identifier of the fuel gas delivery line outlet and the identity of the owner of the end use application receiving fuel gas through such outlet.
7 . The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein at least one fluid characteristic is selected from the group consisting of the purity of said fuel gas; the pressure of said fuel gas; the flow rate of said fuel gas, and the temperature of said fuel gas.
8 . The distribution system of claim 5 further comprising:
a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the production method for the fuel gas contained in a fuel gas source.
9 . The distribution system of claim 8 , wherein the fuel gas production method is the electrolysis of water, steam methane reforming, biomass gasification, coal gasification, and/or microbial biomass conversion.
10 . The distribution system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the power source for the fuel gas production method.
11 . The distribution system of claim 10 , wherein the power source is solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, nuclear, fossil fuel, and/or grid power.
12 . The distribution system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the production method used for such fuel gas.
13 . The distribution system of claim 10 , further comprising:
a data entry system, in communication with the database, for recording the percentage of carbon capture of emissions resulting from the power source used by such production method.
14 . The distribution system of claim 5 , wherein said data elements are selected from the group consisting of: the production method for the fuel gas contained in a fuel gas source; the percentage for which each such production method is responsible if multiple methods were used in such fuel gas production; the power source for the method used to produce fuel gas contained in a fuel gas source; the percentage for which each such source is responsible if multiple power sources were used in such fuel gas production method; the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the production method used to produce fuel gas contained in a fuel gas source; and the percentage of carbon capture of emissions occurring from the power source used by the method of producing fuel gas contained in a fuel gas source.
15 . The distribution system of claim 5 , wherein said data elements are selected from the group consisting of: a payment amount to be credited for each unit of fuel gas flowing through an inlet to the fuel gas delivery line; a payment amount to be charged for each unit of fuel gas flowing through an outlet from the fuel gas delivery line; a tax credit amount and the criteria for earning such tax credit; a renewable energy credit amount and the criteria for earning such renewable energy credit; and a subsidy amount and the criteria for earning such subsidy.
16 . The distribution system of claim 5 , wherein the database is a public, private, or semi-private blockchain ledger; and the data entry is an update to such blockchain ledger.
17 . The distribution system of claim 15 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a payment made to at least one fuel gas producer.
18 . The distribution system of claim 15 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a payment charged to at least one end user.
19 . The fuel gas distribution system of claim 15 , wherein two or more data elements in the database are used to calculate a tax credit granted, renewable energy credit earned, or subsidy payment made by a public agency or jurisdictional body.
20 . The distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the fuel gas delivery line is located inside an existing pipeline or pipeline right of way.
21 . The distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a safety pipe surrounding the fuel gas delivery line such that a channel is formed between an exterior of the fuel gas delivery line and an interior of said safety pipe;
a source that is fluidly coupled with the channel, the source providing a sweeper gas or liquid for use in the system.