Granted Patent B1

US 7,240,499 · App. 10/861,993 · Granted Jul 10, 2007

Abstract

Claims (45)

1. A method for preventing explosions while transporting compressed natural gas by a floating vessel comprising the steps:

a. obtaining pressurized high-energy content vapor gas at a first pressure;

b. separating the pressurized high-energy content gas into saturated gas, a natural gas liquid, and a condensate;

c. removing impurities from the saturated gas to create a decontaminated saturated gas;

d. dehydrating the decontaminated saturated gas to remove water forming a dry pressurized gas;

e. cooling the dry pressurized gas forming a two-phase gas comprising a vapor phase and a liquid phase;

f. loading the two-phase gas into a storage element located on a floating vessel, wherein the storage element comprises:

i. a high strength steel alloy inner wall for load bearing purposes forming a cavity;

ii. a stainless steel alloy outer wall for non load bearing purposes; and

iii. an insulation layer of perlite disposed between the inner and outer wall, and wherein the cavity is adapted to hold the vapor phase and the liquid phase;

g. loading the natural gas liquid and the condensate into the storage element forming a mixture;

h. maintaining the mixture at the first pressure ranging from 800 psi to 1200 psi;

i. loading the storage element onto a floating vessel, wherein the floating vessel has a deck and cargo, wherein the storage element is loaded onto the deck to provide open ventilation of the storage element; and

j. moving the floating vessel to a desired location at a lower cost than comparable submarine pipeline transport costs for distances of less than about 2500 nautical miles while utilizing the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel; and discharging the natural gas at the first pressure.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the floating vessel comprises the vapor phase warming during transit forming a high pressure boil-off gas, wherein the high pressure boil-off gas is blended with diesel fuel to power the floating vessel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of loading the storage element onto a floating vessel further comprises the step of

a. placing the at least one storage element into at least one storage module, wherein each storage module comprises:

i. a first structural frame comprising a first stanchion and a second stanchion;

ii. a second structural frame comprising a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion, wherein each stanchion comprises a skid shoe;

iii. at least a first rack connected between the first and second stanchions; and

iv. at least a second rack connected between the third and fourth stanchions;

b. loading the at least one storage module onto the deck to segregate the storage module from the cargo.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of removing impurities comprises removing a member of the group consisting of CO2, mercury, H2S, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of loading the two-phase gas into the storage element, wherein the storage elements is disposed on land and then loaded on the floating vessel.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is thinner than the inner wall.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inner wall is a high-strength steel alloy or a basalt-based fiber pipe.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the inner wall is a nickel-steel alloy.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is steel, stainless steel, an aluminum, a thermoplastic, a fiberglass, or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage element is cylindrical.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the inner wall comprises a diameter ranging from 8 feet to 15 feet.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the inner wall comprises a diameter ranging from 10 feet to 12 feet.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the outer wall comprises a diameter that is Up to four feet larger in diameter than the inner wall.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage element is spherical.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the inner wall comprises a diameter ranging from 30 feet to 40 feet.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the outer wall comprises a diameter that is up to three feet larger in diameter than the inner wall.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insulating layer is a vacuum.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is 90% to 99% liquid phase gas.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-phase gas is cooled from ambient temperature to a temperature ranging from −80 degrees Fahrenheit to −120 degrees Fahrenheit.

20. The method of claim 3 , wherein the storage module supports between three and fifteen storage elements.

21. The method of claim 3 , wherein the storage module comprises an empty weight ranging from 5000 short tons to 8000 short tons when loaded with at least one empty storage element.

22. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first structural frame supports up to five racks between the first and second stanchions.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the second structural frame supports up to five racks between the third and fourth stanchions.

24. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first structural frame is disposed on a floating vessel with a hull and the structural frame extends beyond the hull and is supportable on at least two jetties.

25. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first and second racks support up to five storage elements.

26. The method of claim 3 , wherein the rack comprises a plate supported by a plurality of ridges for removably holding the storage element and wherein the rack has an anchor for fixing the storage element at a first end, wherein a second end is adapted to travel to accommodate thermal strain.

Assignments (11)