Anti-weathering apparatus method for liquid and vapor storage systems

1. In combination

a) pressurized fluid contained in a storage vessel, in both liquid and vapor regions,

b) a first heat exchanger in the vapor region of the vessel,

c) and a first pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and having an outlet side in communication with the first heat exchanger, whereby if pressure in the vessel rises to the setting of the regulator, it opens and admits liquid from the vessel to the heat exchanger, to vaporize in that exchanger causing vapor in the vessel to condense, and reducing pressure in the vessel,

d) a second pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and a discharge side in series communication with a second heat exchanger, whereby user required flow of liquid passes through the second pressure regulator and second heat exchanger,

e) and a third pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with vapor in the first heat exchanger, and also in communication via a check valve with the inlet side of the second heat exchanger, and with the outlet side of the second pressure regulator, whereby vapor generated in the first heat exchanger flows to the user in by-passing relation to the second pressure regulator, and flows through the third pressure regulator, as for example in the event of absence of user required flow from the vessel, there being no direct interconnection of the first and second regulators outside the vessel,

f) and wherein said liquid is LNG and said vapor is vaporized LNG.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said third pressure regulator is a pressure relief regulator.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first pressure regulator is set at a pressure ρ 1 , and said second pressure regulator is set at a pressure ρ 2 , where ρ 1 >ρ 2 .

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

i) said first pressure regulator is set at a pressure ρ 1 ,

ii) said second pressure regulator is set at a pressure ρ 2 ,

iii) said third pressure regulator is set at a pressure ρ 3 ,

and wherein:

ρ 3 >ρ 1 >ρ 2 .

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said three regulators are outside the vessel.

6. In combination

a) pressurized fluid contained in a storage vessel, in both liquid and vapor regions,

b) a first heat exchanger in the vapor region of the vessel,

c) and a first pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and having an outlet side in communication with the first heat exchanger, whereby if pressure in the vessel rises to the setting of the regulator, it opens and admits liquid from the vessel to the heat exchanger, to vaporize in that exchanger causing vapor in the vessel to condense, and reducing pressure in the vessel,

d) a second pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and a discharge side in series communication with a second heat exchanger, whereby user required flow of liquid passes through the second pressure regulator and second heat exchanger,

e) and a third pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with vapor in the first heat exchanger, and also in communication via a check valve with the inlet side of the second heat exchanger, and with the outlet side of the second pressure regulator, whereby vapor generated in the first heat exchanger flows to the user in by-passing relation to the second pressure regulator, and flows through the third pressure regulator, as for example in the event of absence of user required flow from the vessel, there being no direct interconnection of the first and second regulators outside the vessel,

f) and including said check valve in a line communicating between the inlet side of the third pressure regulator and said second heat exchanger.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said liquid is LNG, and said vapor is vaporized LNG.

8. The method of regulating pressure in a storage vessel for pressurized fluid existing in both liquid and vapor regions, that includes

a) providing a first heat exchanger in contact with vapor in or from said vapor region,

b) providing a first pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in or from said liquid region, and an outlet side in communication with the heat exchanger,

c) whereby if pressure in the vessel rises to the setting of the regulator, it opens and admits liquid from the vessel to the heat exchanger, to vaporize in that exchanger causing vapor in the vessel to condense, and reducing pressure in the vessel,

d) providing a second pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and a discharge side in series communication with a second heat exchanger, whereby user required flow of liquid passes through the second pressure regulator and second heat exchanger, and providing a third pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with vapor in the first heat exchanger, and also in communication via a check valve with the inlet side of the second heat exchanger and with the outlet side of the second pressure regulator whereby vapor generated in the first heat exchanger flows to the user in by-passing relation to the second pressure regulator, and flows through the third pressure regulator, as for example in the event of absence of user required flow of from the vessel, there being no direct interconnection of the first and second regulators outside the vessel,

e) and wherein said liquid is LNG and said vapor is vaporized LNG.