Methods for fuel tank recycling and net hydrogen fuel and carbon goods production along with associated apparatus and systems
View Patent ↗A fuel tank for use with hydrogen carrier fuels. The fuel tank includes a self-supporting shell having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A fluid-tight inner layer is disposed adjacent the inward facing surface and a fluid-tight outer layer is disposed adjacent the outward facing surface. A vent extends through the fluid-tight inner layer, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the self-supporting shell. The fuel tank can also include a gas collection canister connected to the vent.
1. A fuel tank, comprising:
a self-supporting shell having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface;
an inner layer disposed adjacent the inward facing surface, the inner layer comprises a conformable liner; and
a fluid-tight outer layer disposed adjacent the outward facing surface.
2. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , further comprising a vent extending through the inner layer, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the self-supporting shell.
3. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight outer layer is comprised of polymer.
4. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor connected to the self-supporting shell and positioned to detect leakage from the tank.
5. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , further comprising a gas collection canister.
6. The fuel tank according to claim 5 , wherein the canister is connected to an engine.
7. The fuel tank according to claim 5 , wherein the canister includes a carbon element.
8. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is attached to the self-supporting shell.
9. The fuel tank according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is not attached to the self-supporting shell.
10. A container conversion kit for converting an existing container for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the kit comprising:
a flexible inner liner positionable within an existing container adjacent to an inward facing surface of the existing container, the flexible inner liner comprises a conformable bladder;
a fluid-tight outer layer positionable adjacent to an outward facing surface of the existing container; and
a net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit positionable inside the flexible inner liner.
11. The container conversion kit according to claim 10 , further comprising a vent extendable through the inner liner, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the existing fuel tank.
12. The container conversion kit according to claim 10 , wherein the inner liner and the fluid-tight outer layer are comprised of polymer.
13. The container conversion kit according to claim 10 , further comprising a gas collection canister.
14. The container conversion kit according to claim 13 , wherein the canister is connectable to an engine.
15. The container conversion kit according to claim 13 , wherein the canister includes a carbon element.
16. The container conversion kit according to claim 10 , wherein the inner liner is attachable to the existing container.
17. The container conversion kit according to claim 10 , wherein the container is a fuel tank.
18. A container conversion kit for converting an existing container for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the kit comprising:
a flexible inner liner positionable within an existing container adjacent to an inward facing surface of the existing container;
a net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit positionable inside the flexible inner liner; and
a thermo-chemical regeneration processor in fluid communication with the net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit.
19. The container conversion kit according to claim 18 , further comprising a fluid-tight outer layer positionable adjacent to an outward facing surface of the existing container.
20. The container conversion kit according to claim 18 , further comprising a pressure port connectable to an engine and extendable through the inner liner and the existing container.
21. The container conversion kit according to claim 18 , further comprising a conduit connectable between an engine and the thermo-chemical regeneration processor.
22. A method for converting an existing fuel tank for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the method comprising:
lining an inside surface of an existing fuel tank with a chemically inert liner;
covering an outside surface of the existing fuel tank with a fluid-tight outer layer; and
installing a fuel pickup conduit inside the chemically inert liner.
23. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the chemically inert liner and the fluid-tight outer layer are comprised of polymer.
24. The method according to claim 22 , further comprising attaching the chemically inert liner to the inside surface of the existing fuel tank.
25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the liner is attached with adhesive.