EP3614035B1 - Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system - Google Patents
Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3614035B1 EP3614035B1 EP19187952.7A EP19187952A EP3614035B1 EP 3614035 B1 EP3614035 B1 EP 3614035B1 EP 19187952 A EP19187952 A EP 19187952A EP 3614035 B1 EP3614035 B1 EP 3614035B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- natural gas
- gaseous phase
- compressor
- liquefied natural
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000005380 natural gas recovery Methods 0.000 title claims 4
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000003949 liquefied natural gas Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000007792 gaseous phase Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013256 coordination polymer Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 5
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005431 greenhouse gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- 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
- F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F17C2205/0332—Safety valves or pressure relief 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
- 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
- F17C2205/0335—Check-valves or non-return 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
- F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
- F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, 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
- F17C2223/03—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
- F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
-
- 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
- F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
- F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C2225/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, 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
- 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
- F17C2227/0157—Compressors
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- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/01—Intermediate tanks
-
- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/03—Control means
- F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
-
- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
- F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
- F17C2250/043—Pressure
-
- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
- F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
- F17C2250/0439—Temperature
-
- 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
- F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
- F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
- F17C2265/032—Treating the boil-off by recovery
- F17C2265/037—Treating the boil-off by recovery with pressurising
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- 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
- F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
- F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
- F17C2265/066—Fluid distribution for feeding engines for propulsion
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- 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
- F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
- F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
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- 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
- F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
- F17C2270/0184—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of natural gas systems for vehicles and in particular to liquefied natural gas systems.
- a tank adapted to store LNG tends to release towards the atmosphere a certain amount of gas which depends on the pressure and temperature of the gas in the tank. In general it is estimated that after about 180h the first releases of gases to the outside occur.
- Such gas contributes to the calculation of the emissions of a vehicle, since natural gas is a greenhouse gas similar to carbon dioxide.
- Example of known systems are disclosed in documents DE102012024717 , DE202013101593 U1 , EP1838991 A1 , WO2014006265 A1 or US5540208 A .
- the purpose of the present invention is to reduce the overall emissions of a vehicle fuelled with liquefied natural gas.
- the basic idea of the present invention is to recover the natural gas released from the liquefied natural gas tank and to store it in another appropriate tank.
- Another purpose is to reduce the overall emissions of a vehicle fuelled with liquefied natural gas thanks to an intrinsically safe system.
- Figure 1 shows a first preferred variant of the present invention wherein a first tank 1 is of the type intended to store liquefied natural gas.
- a first safety valve V1 places the tank 1 in communication with the environment. Generally, this valve is connected to a first opening placed in the upper part of the tank, so as to intercept only the gaseous phase.
- a second opening H2, different from the first opening, is connected to an inlet of a compressor CP.
- the outlet of the compressor CP is connected to a second tank 2 intended to store compressed natural gas.
- a check valve CV is placed upstream or downstream of the compressor CP, depending on the direction of circulation of the gas aspirated from the tank 1 and introduced into the tank 2.
- a pressure sensor P is housed in the first tank 1.
- a CPU processing unit is connected to said pressure sensor P and when the pressure measured by it exceeds a predefined threshold, the processing unit orders the activation of the compressor which aspirates natural gas in the gaseous phase from the first tank 1 compressing it in the second tank 2.
- said predefined threshold is appropriately below an activation threshold of the first safety valve V1.
- Both the first tank and the second tank comprise respective openings towards the injection device of the natural gas supply system fuelling the internal vehicular combustion engine, not shown.
- FIG. 2 shows another preferred variant of the invention in which the first and second tank are present, as in the previous example.
- connection between the first tank is made in succession through an expansion chamber EX and the compressor CP.
- the first tank as before, comprises a first safety valve V1 which places the tank 1 in communication with the environment.
- the first tank comprises a second safety /overpressure valve V2 which connects the first tank with the expansion chamber EX.
- the compressor CP has an inlet connected with the expansion chamber EX and an outlet connected with the second tank 2.
- a check valve CV is placed between the expansion chamber EX and the compressor CP, or downstream of it, i.e. between the compressor CP and the second tank 2.
- a pressure sensor P is housed in the expansion chamber EX.
- a CPU processing unit is connected to said pressure sensor P and when the pressure measured by it exceeds a predefined threshold, the processing unit orders the activation of the compressor which aspirates natural gas in the gaseous phase from the expansion chamber compressing it in the second tank 2.
- the pressure thresholds that determine both the opening of the overpressure/safety valve V2 and the activation of the compressor are appropriately below an activation threshold of the first safety valve V1.
- the compressor CP is preferably an electro-compressor.
- a second pressure sensor inside the second tank, so as to inhibit the activation of the electro-compressor when the pressure measured in the second tank exceeds a further predefined threshold.
- the second tank too may be fitted with a safety valve not shown.
- a pressure sensor is completely optional, as it is possible to estimate the excess gaseous phase in the first tank in different ways, for example on the basis of the quantity and temperature of the liquid phase present in the first tank.
- the quantity may be determined indirectly based on the capacity of the first tank 1 based on the consumption of liquefied natural gas.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to the field of natural gas systems for vehicles and in particular to liquefied natural gas systems.
- A tank adapted to store LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), tends to release towards the atmosphere a certain amount of gas which depends on the pressure and temperature of the gas in the tank. In general it is estimated that after about 180h the first releases of gases to the outside occur.
- This happens mainly for safety reasons, in that, over time, the gaseous phase in the tank tends to increase, resulting in an increase in pressure. Therefore, in order to prevent the pressures from exceeding given values, the excess gaseous phase is released into the environment.
- Such gas contributes to the calculation of the emissions of a vehicle, since natural gas is a greenhouse gas similar to carbon dioxide.
- Example of known systems are disclosed in documents
DE102012024717 ,DE202013101593 U1 ,EP1838991 A1 ,WO2014006265 A1 orUS5540208 A . - The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the overall emissions of a vehicle fuelled with liquefied natural gas. Indeed, the basic idea of the present invention is to recover the natural gas released from the liquefied natural gas tank and to store it in another appropriate tank.
- Another purpose is to reduce the overall emissions of a vehicle fuelled with liquefied natural gas thanks to an intrinsically safe system.
- Such purposes is reached by a system and a related method as claimed in the appended set of claims.
- Further purposes and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the detailed description below of an example of embodiment thereof (and of its variants) and the appended drawings provided merely by way of a non-limiting example, wherein:
-
Figure 1 shows a diagram of a first variant of the present invention; and -
Figure 2 shows a diagram of a second variant of the present invention. -
Figure 1 shows a first preferred variant of the present invention wherein afirst tank 1 is of the type intended to store liquefied natural gas. - Introduced into the
tank 1 at very low temperature, about -120°C, over time it tends to gasify, so that a liquid phase L and a gaseous phase G are identified in the tank. - A first safety valve V1 places the
tank 1 in communication with the environment. Generally, this valve is connected to a first opening placed in the upper part of the tank, so as to intercept only the gaseous phase. - A second opening H2, different from the first opening, is connected to an inlet of a compressor CP. The outlet of the compressor CP is connected to a
second tank 2 intended to store compressed natural gas. - Consequently, the safety valve V1 and the hydraulic line connecting the
first tank 1 with thesecond tank 2 are independent of each other, seefigures 1 and2 . - A check valve CV is placed upstream or downstream of the compressor CP, depending on the direction of circulation of the gas aspirated from the
tank 1 and introduced into thetank 2. - A pressure sensor P is housed in the
first tank 1. - A CPU processing unit is connected to said pressure sensor P and when the pressure measured by it exceeds a predefined threshold, the processing unit orders the activation of the compressor which aspirates natural gas in the gaseous phase from the
first tank 1 compressing it in thesecond tank 2. - Clearly, said predefined threshold is appropriately below an activation threshold of the first safety valve V1.
- Both the first tank and the second tank comprise respective openings towards the injection device of the natural gas supply system fuelling the internal vehicular combustion engine, not shown.
- The English term "to the engine" indicates said operational connection between the
tanks -
Figure 2 shows another preferred variant of the invention in which the first and second tank are present, as in the previous example. - The connection between the first tank is made in succession through an expansion chamber EX and the compressor CP.
- The first tank, as before, comprises a first safety valve V1 which places the
tank 1 in communication with the environment. In addition, the first tank comprises a second safety /overpressure valve V2 which connects the first tank with the expansion chamber EX. - The compressor CP has an inlet connected with the expansion chamber EX and an outlet connected with the
second tank 2. - A check valve CV is placed between the expansion chamber EX and the compressor CP, or downstream of it, i.e. between the compressor CP and the
second tank 2. - A pressure sensor P is housed in the expansion chamber EX.
- A CPU processing unit is connected to said pressure sensor P and when the pressure measured by it exceeds a predefined threshold, the processing unit orders the activation of the compressor which aspirates natural gas in the gaseous phase from the expansion chamber compressing it in the
second tank 2. - Clearly, the pressure thresholds that determine both the opening of the overpressure/safety valve V2 and the activation of the compressor are appropriately below an activation threshold of the first safety valve V1.
- The compressor CP is preferably an electro-compressor.
- For both examples, it may be advantageous to introduce a second pressure sensor inside the second tank, so as to inhibit the activation of the electro-compressor when the pressure measured in the second tank exceeds a further predefined threshold.
- This avoids having to activate the compressor unnecessarily, which if electric would consume electricity without any real benefit to the system or which could lead to excessive pressure in the second tank.
- The second tank too, for safety reasons, may be fitted with a safety valve not shown.
- It is worth pointing out that the implementation of a pressure sensor is completely optional, as it is possible to estimate the excess gaseous phase in the first tank in different ways, for example on the basis of the quantity and temperature of the liquid phase present in the first tank.
- The quantity may be determined indirectly based on the capacity of the
first tank 1 based on the consumption of liquefied natural gas. - Other rough estimates may be made by knowing the time elapsed since refuelling, the environmental temperature, the capacity of the
tank 1 and the amount of liquefied natural gas consumed. - It is clear that modifications can be made to the described system and method, which do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.
Claims (14)
- A natural gas recovery system for a liquefied natural gas supply system configured to be mounted on a vehicle, such supply system comprising a first tank (1), configured to store liquefied natural gas, a liquid phase and a gaseous phase of said natural gas coexisting in the first tank,the recovery system of natural gas comprising a second tank (2) intended to store compressed natural gas, a compressor (CP), adapted to compress in said second tank (2) an excess of gaseous phase of said first tank,wherein said compressor has an inlet operatively connected with said first tank (1) and an outlet operatively connected with said second tank (2) and wherein the system further comprises connection means suitable to connect respective openings of said first and second tanks towards an injection device of a natural gas supply system fuelling an internal combustion engine of the vehicle,said first tank (1) further comprises a first safety valve (V1) adapted to place in communication said first tank (1) with the environment, when a pressure inside said first tank (1) exceeds a first predefined pressure threshold and wherein said first safety valve is connected to said first tank and physically separated with respect to the fluid interconnection between said first and second tank.
- The system according to claim 1, further comprising an expansion chamber (EX) operatively connected with said first tank (1) and wherein said compressor has an inlet operatively connected with said expansion chamber (EX) and an outlet operatively connected with said second tank (2).
- The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising estimation means (P, CPU) of said excess gaseous phase and processing means configured to activate said compressor (CP) coherently with said excess of gaseous phase estimation.
- The system according to claim 3, wherein said estimation means of said excess gaseous phase comprise a pressure sensor (P), and wherein said pressure sensor (P) is installed in said first tank (1) or, if said expansion chamber (EX) is provided, in said expansion chamber (EX).
- The system according to any of claims 2, or 3 when depending on claim 2, or 4 when depending on claim 2, wherein said expansion chamber (EX) is operatively connected to said first tank (1) by means of a second safety valve (V2).
- The system of claim 5, wherein said second safety valve (V2) is calibrated at an opening pressure value lower than said first predefined pressure threshold of said first over-pressure valve (V1)
- The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said processing means (CPU) are configured to activate said compressor (CP) when a pressure measured by said pressure sensor (P) exceeds a second predefined pressure threshold lower than said first predefined pressure threshold.
- The system according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a check valve arranged between said compressor (CP) and said second tank.
- A liquefied natural gas vehicular supply system comprising a first tank (1) intended to store liquefied natural gas, a liquid phase and a gaseous phase of said natural gas coexisting in the first tank, and comprising a recovery system of natural gas according to any one of the previous claims.
- The system according to claim 9, comprising means for withdrawing liquefied natural gas from said first tank (1) and compressed natural gas from said second tank (2).
- A land vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and with a liquefied natural gas supply system supplying the internal combustion engine, wherein said liquefied natural gas supply system comprises a natural gas recovery system according to claim 8.
- A method of recovery of natural gas from a liquefied natural gas supply system on a vehicle, the method comprising providing a natural gas recovery system according to any of claims 1 to 8 , such method comprising a step of recovering an excess gaseous phase of said first tank (1) and compressing it in a second tank (2).
- The method according to claim 12, wherein said step is performed progressively as said excess gaseous phase forms.
- The method according to one of claims 12 or 13, further comprising a step of adopting said liquefied natural gas and said compressed natural gas to supply an internal combustion engine.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO20140937 | 2014-11-11 | ||
EP15194172.1A EP3026323B1 (en) | 2014-11-11 | 2015-11-11 | Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15194172.1A Division EP3026323B1 (en) | 2014-11-11 | 2015-11-11 | Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3614035A1 EP3614035A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
EP3614035B1 true EP3614035B1 (en) | 2022-12-28 |
Family
ID=52464500
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP15194172.1A Active EP3026323B1 (en) | 2014-11-11 | 2015-11-11 | Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system |
EP19187952.7A Active EP3614035B1 (en) | 2014-11-11 | 2015-11-11 | Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15194172.1A Active EP3026323B1 (en) | 2014-11-11 | 2015-11-11 | Natural gas recovery system and vehicle comprising said system |
Country Status (2)
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EP (2) | EP3026323B1 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2939463T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR3054286B1 (en) * | 2016-07-21 | 2019-05-17 | Engie | MODULE AND SYSTEM FOR DEPRESSURIZING A CRYOGENIC RESERVOIR |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1838991B1 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2011-03-02 | Cryostar SAS | Natural gas supply method and apparatus |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5540208A (en) * | 1994-09-13 | 1996-07-30 | Nabco Limited | Liquefied gas fuel supply system |
FI124835B (en) * | 2012-07-03 | 2015-02-13 | Lngtainer Ltd | Tank |
DE102012024717A1 (en) * | 2012-12-18 | 2014-06-18 | Daimler Ag | Vehicle has liquefied petroleum gas tank for accommodating liquefied petroleum gas as fuel for internal combustion engine of vehicle and overpressure discharge line for discharging vaporized gas, which is connected with gas tank |
DE202013101593U1 (en) * | 2013-04-15 | 2013-04-24 | EES-Autogas Technologiezentrum UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | Device for gas supply |
-
2015
- 2015-11-11 ES ES19187952T patent/ES2939463T3/en active Active
- 2015-11-11 EP EP15194172.1A patent/EP3026323B1/en active Active
- 2015-11-11 EP EP19187952.7A patent/EP3614035B1/en active Active
- 2015-11-11 ES ES15194172T patent/ES2754232T3/en active Active
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP1838991B1 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2011-03-02 | Cryostar SAS | Natural gas supply method and apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3614035A1 (en) | 2020-02-26 |
EP3026323B1 (en) | 2019-08-14 |
ES2939463T3 (en) | 2023-04-24 |
ES2754232T3 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
EP3026323A1 (en) | 2016-06-01 |
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