US2058355A - Method and apparatus for transporting hydrocarbon liquids - Google Patents

Description

Search mom Oct. 20, 1936. A.- H. RINEY ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS Filed Feb. 17, 1934 Patented Oct, 20, 1936 UNITED STATES Sealh nooit PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANS- PORTING HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS Arthur H. Riney and Lloyd T. Gibbs, Bartlesville,

Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Gompany, Bartlesville, Okla., a corporation of Dela- Ware Application February 17, 1934, Serial No. 711,814

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus used at pumping stations along pipe lines for the transportation of crude oil.

The principal object of the invention is to provide methods and apparatus whereby pipe line pumping stations for the transportation of substantially gas free hydrocarbon fluids may be more economically operated than has been done heretofore.

Practically all crude oil contains at least a small amount of free gas. For instance, when a new field is discovered and the flush oil is taken from this field, a considerable amount of entrained gas may be present in the crude oil being transported. The prior patent art suggests trapping out the necessary amount of entrained gas required for the operation of pumping stations if such gas is present. However, after a field has reached a settled basis, the amount of free gas is an extremely negligible quantity. Furthermore, some oils transported by pipe lines are those which have been in storage tanks for a considerable period of time, in which case the oil is termed dead oil containing no gases. Therefore, under the average pumping conditions it has not been possible to trap out the necessary amount of gas required for the operation of the pumping stations unless considerable effort is put forth to deliberately introduce free gas into the pipe line.

On most crude pipe line systems the oil pumped thru the line contains various amounts of hydrocarbon fluids which can very easily be transformed into gases. Portions of these hydrocarbon uids are usually lost before any use can be made from same, due to the weathering effect on crude oil when standing in storage tanks. By our invention these uids are used to produce power for pumping the crude oil so that the cost of fuel at the pumping stations is practically negligible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pumping station methods and apparatus which are flexible, so to speak, in that gaseous fuel may be obtained from any of these products being transported and especially from hydrocarbon uids containing insucient free or dissolved gases, for operation of the pumping stations. This is in part accomplished by taking from the crude oil, hydrocarbon fluids (of that character which are apt to be lost due to the weathering e'ect on crude oil while standing in storage tanks) and changing such iiuids into a gaseous state under proper control so that they can be easily liqueied for storage purposes and subsequently vaporized for fuel purposes as needed,

A further object of the invention is to utilize the heat incident to operation of internal combustion engines which operate the pumps of the pumping station, to vaporize or assist in the vaporization of the hydrocarbon fluids hereinbefore mentioned, so that they may be used as fuel, preferably but not necessarily, in said internal combustion engines. This heat, incident to operation of the internal combustion engines, may be that absorbed by the water of the cooling system of the engines or that which prevails in the exhaust of the engines, or both.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a pipe line fuel system using internal combustion engines, apparatus and steps in the method whereby water used to cool the engines is conserved by flowing in a closed circuit and the heat, incident to operation of the engines, absorbed by the water utilized to raise the temperature of the oil being treated to separate or to assist in the separation of the hydrocarbon fluids hereinbefore mentioned, therefrom, and/or assist in converting the liquefied gases in storage to a gaseous phase for use in the internal combustion engines.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic view of one form of apparatus suitable for use in practicing the method.

A main pipe line L is shown adjacent a pumping station S which may be the initial station or any intermediate station along the pipe line.

The portion of the main pipe line L shown, comprises an incoming oil section 3, a station bypass 4 and an outgoing oil section 5.

The pump station S includes, in the example* shown, a station take-off line 6 having communication with the sections 3 and 5 of the main pipe line L; main pumps 'I and 8, and internal combustion engines 9 and I0 for operating the pumps 1 and 8 respectively, said engines provided with a fuel supply apparatus II, a cooling system I2 and an exhaust delivery means I3.

As to the take-off line 6, it comprises a suction section I4, a discharge section I5, pump takeoiT sections I6 and I1 and pump by-pass sections I 8 and I9 for the pumps 'I and 8, respectively. The main pipe line L has a valve 20 for control of the station by-pass 4, while the station take-off line 6 has a valve 2I in its suction section I4, a valve 22 in its discharge section I5, valves 23 and 24 for control of the pump bypass sections I8 and I9, respectively, valves 25 and 26 in the suction sides 21 and 28 and valves 29 and 38 in the discharge sides 3| and 32 of the pump take-off sections I6 and |1, respectively. This is common practice and may be varied to meet the particular problems presented in petroleum engineering.

In the suction section |4 there is preferably provided a heater or heat exchange device 33 which may be used to heat the crude oil entering the station take-off line 6 and preferably to cool water of the cooling system |2 as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The fuel supply apparatus preferably includes a gasifying tank or receiving vessel 34; a vacuum pump or compressor 35; a condenser 36; a pressure storage vessel 31; and a heater or heat exchange device 38, which like device 33 may be used to cool the Water of the cooling system I2.

Preferably on the delivery side of heater 33 a pipe 39, in which valves 48 and 4| are located, leads to the bottom of the receiving tank 34 for delivery of crude oil, preferably heated by device 33, to the receiving tank. 'Ihe valve 40 is preferably hand operated to afford communication between the source of crude oil and the receiving tank 34, or to close off communication as when there is a suicient supply of fuel in pressure tank 31. Valve 4| is preferably oat operated as by any of the well known float devices 42 operatively connected to valve 4| so as to maintain a liquid level well below the top 43 of tank 34, as indicated at line 44 and to provide a vapor space 45. This space 45 may be held at atmospheric pressure or less when withdrawing vapors from the crude oil in the receiving tank 34 by operation of pump 35 in pump line 46 having its ingress end 41 open to the upper portion of tank 34 and its discharge end 48 connected to a chamber of condensor 36. A Valve 49 is placed in pipe line 46 between the ingress end 41 thereof and the pump 35 to close olf communication with the pump 35 as when withdrawing residue oil from the lower portion of tank 34. The other end of condensor 36 is, by pipe 50, connected to the pressure storage tank 31. The pump 35 may act as a compressor to liquefy or aid in liquefying the gases collected from the vapor space 45 and the condensor 36 may be used to remove the heat of compression and any heat absorbed by the gases incident to heating of the crude oil in the receiving tank as hereinafter described, and to aid in liquefying gases which are stored in tank 31. The chamber of condensor 36 may be cooled in any suitable manner as by -water circulating thru another chamber in close proximityto the gas or liquid being treated, or by air, the currents of which may be augmented by an electric fan.

The liquid in tank 31 is used as fuel for the engines 9 and I0 by again vaporizing or gasifying it in heater 38. To this end the tank 31 has communication with one chamber of heat exchange device 38 thru pipe 5|, the exit end of the chamber having communication with the engine cylinders thru pipe 52 and manifolds 53 and 54.

The residue oil left in tank 34 is removed thru pipe line 55 having its intake end 56 open to the lower portion of tank 34 and its discharge end 51 open preferably to the suction section |4 of the station take-off line 6, there being provided a suitable valve 58 in the pipe line 55 so as to close it from direct communication with the line 6 when so desired.

We may prefer to provide a pump 59 with valves 60 and 6| to each side thereof, in pipe line 55 to pump or assist in returning the residue oil to the station take-olf line 6, or elsewhere, however, in most cases, the main pumps 1 and 8 may function to withdraw the residue from tank 34.

The making of gas or the separation of vapors from the crude oil in tank 34 is preferably accomplished or assisted by heat, incident to operation of the engines 9 and I0, absorbed by the water of cooling system |2, or carried by the exhaust gases thru exhaust delivery means I3, or both and by conduction and convection transmitted to the crude oil in the tank 34. For the time being it suffices to say that there is preferably provided in the lower portion of tank 34, a pipe, (preferably a coil) 62 for hot water and a pipe 63 for exhaust gases of engines 1 and 8 so that these pipes may be used to conduct the heat of the water or gases passing thru them and by which heat is transmitted to the body of crude oil in the tank 34 by convection, that is, the heated layer near the pipes expands and becoming less dense, rises in accordance with the law of gravity, to be replaced by the heavier layer, above it, which rises again in turn, until the crude oil is freed of its lighter constituents.

The cooling system |2 is preferably what may well be termed a closed system, in that the water is not exposed to the atmosphere as is quite common where water towers are used or where radiators with overilow pipes are used adjacent the engine. The system is particularly advantageous where water is scarce. From the cooling chambers of the engines 9 and I0, which may be of any ordinary or approved construction, the hot water is withdrawn or circulated preferably by pump 64, the intake 65 of which has communication with the said cooling chambers of engines 9 and I0 by pipes 66 and 61, respectively. The egress end 68 of pump 64 has communication with the other chamber of heat exchange device 38 so that heat absorbed by the water may in part be used to vaporize or gasify the liqueed gas being fed to the engines 9 and I0. From heater 38 a pipe 69 leads, in the example shown, to a two-way valve 10 the exit ports of which have communication, one as thru pipe 1| with intake end 12 of coil 62 in tank 34 and the other, as thru pipe 13, with the entrance end 15 of water chamber of heater or heat exchange device 33. The exit end 14 of coil 62 has communication with pipe 13. By manipulation of valve 10 the Water from pipe 69 may be directed into pipe 1| as shown in the drawing so as to circulate thru coil 12 and give up some of its heat by conduction and convection, as previously described, or the valve 16 may be turned to by-pass the liquid more or less direct to heater 33 thru pipe 13 as is obvious from the drawing. The exit end 16 of water chamber of heater 33 is connected as by pipe 11 and branches 18 and 19 leading to the cooling chambers of engines 9 and |ll. By this closed system, the water may be circulated over and over again with a conservation of water not possible with open systems.

It is thus to be observed that the water of the cooling system |2 may give up the heat it has absorbed by passing thru the engines; rst, in part to vaporize or gasify the fuel flowing to the engines; second, in part to assist in the treatment of the crude oil in tank 34; and, third, in part to heat the crude oil in the station take-off line 6 and incidentally preheat that which may go to the tank 34. If the oil is of such nature as to require no heating while in tank 34, in

order to remove desirable constituents thereof, the water may be shunted around coil 62 as previously described, since the heaters or heat exchange devices 33 and 38 may be of sufcient capacity to cool the water without the necessity of its giving up some of its heat in tank 34.

Now as to the exhaust delivery means i3, it may include a two-way valve 80, the intake side 8l of which has communication with the exhaust manifolds 82 and 83 of engines 9 and I0 thru pipe 84 and branches 85 and 86, respectively. One exit side 81 of valve 80 has communication with the atmosphere thru pipe 88, as shown in the drawing and the other exit side 89 may be connected to the pipe 63 which extends thru the lower portion of tank 34 and is also open to the atmosphere. Valve may be moved to direct the hot exhaust gases thru pipe 63 as is obvious from an inspection of the drawing and thus use heat carried by the exhaust to gasify or vaporize hydrocarbon fluids in the crude oil which are subsequently to be used as fuel in the engine.

In the operation of the apparatus, assuming that it is desired to accumulate or replenish the supply of liquefied gas in pressure storage tank 31, valve 40 is opened to run a quantity of the crude oil from the main pipe line into the receiving tank 34, preferably altho not necessarily after it has first passed thru heat exchange destorage purposes, or this liquecation may take l place in the condensor 36. After the lighter hydrocarbon fluids have been removed, the residue is preferably pumped back into the line as by the operation of pump 59 or by the main pumps 1 and 8.

The compositions of the hydrocarbons drawn from the oil can be controlled by the amount of heat and the amount of pressure or vacuum applied to the oil in the receiving tank 34 so that the B. t. u. content and other characteristics of the hydrocarbon uids can be controlled to give proper fuel or gas for the internal combustion engines. If it is desired to heat theoil in tank 34 to over F., the exhaust gases of the engines may be passed thru pipe 63 since they may be at a temperature of over 500 F., whereas the water temperature of system l2 might not exceed F. It will thus be seen that by the proper operation of the pump 35 and the proper setting of valves 10 and 80, control may be had to obtain gases of the character that can be easily liquefied for storage purposes and very easily vaporized for fuel purposes, as needed.

We claim:

1. That method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which comprises withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, vaporizing and removing a portion of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids, admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line. v

2. The method of transporting substantially' gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which comprises, withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from vthe pipe line, subjecting the ldrawn oil? portion of hydrocarbon liquids to a vacuum to remove vapors therefrom, admixing the residue of the vthus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line.

3. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which comprises, withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, subjecting the drawnpoi portions of hydrocarbon liquids to heat so as to remove vapors therefrom, admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line.

4. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which comprises, subjecting a drawn off portion of hydrocarbon liquids to heatand to a vacuum, to remove vapors therefrom, admixing the residue of thefthus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumping equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line.

5. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines using internal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, subjecting the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids to the heat produced by yoperation of ,the internal combustion engine to vaporize portions of the hydrocarbon liquids, removing the vapors, admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate the internal combustion engine.

' 6. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines using internal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, subjecting the thus drawn oif hydrocarbon liquids to the hot exhaust gases of 50 the internal combustion engine so vthat portions of the 'hydrocarbon liquids are vaporized by heat conduction and convection, removing the vapors, admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon vliquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors .to operate the internal combustion engine.

7. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines using water cooled internal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrolcarbon liquids from the pipe line, subjecting the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids to the heat absorbed by the cooling water of the internal combustion engine during the operation of the engine, so that portions of the hydrocarbon liquids are at least in part vaporized by the heat, and the temperature of the cooling liquid reduced, removing the vapors, admixing the residue of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids with the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and utilizing the removed vapors to operate the internal combustion engine 8. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which ner comprises, vaporizing and removing a portion of the hy-drocarbon liquids from the pipe line, liquefying and storing the thus removed vapors, and subsequently gasifying and utilizing said liquefied vapors to operate pumping equipment for forcing the hydrocarbon liquids thru the pipe line.

9. In the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines using Water cooled internal combustion engine operated pumps, those steps which consist in withdrawing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line, vaporizing and removing a portion of the thus drawn off hydrocarbon liquids, liquefying and storing the thus removed vapors as fuel, gasifying the liquefied fuel by subjecting the same to heat absorbed by the water of the internal combustion engine, and utilizing the gasified fuel to operate the internal combustion engine of the pump.

10. The method of transporting substantially gas free hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines which consists in vaporizing and removing a portion of the hydrocarbon liquids from the pipe line and utilizing the removed vapors to operate pumping equipment for forcing the residue hydrocarbon liquids from which said vapors have been removed, thru the pipe line.

11. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a Water cooling system, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, and a vacuum pump operatively connected with the gasifying tank to subject the liquid therein to a vacuum and draw off fuel vapors for use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system flows after it has absorbed heat of the engine to assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank.

12. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel in liquefied phase and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system having connection with said heat exchange device for ow of water therethru, after it has absorbed heat of the engine, and so as to give up at least some of the heat in gasifying the liquefied fuel,

13. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system, said fuel supply apparatus including a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported and to separate therefrom fuel vapors; and, said cooling system including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system flows after it has absorbed heat of the engine to vaporize hydrocarbon liquids in the tank.

14. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus and a water cooling system, sai-d fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank f-or the fuel in liquefied phase and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system having connection with said heat exchange device for flow of water therethru after it has absorbed heat of the engine and so as to give up some of the heat in gasifying the liquefied fuel, and including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the Water flows after it has given up some of its heat at said heat exchange device, to assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank.

15. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-off line and station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device in said take-off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internal combustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatus and water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, sai-d fuel supply apparatus including a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids, and said cooling system including a device in said tank thru which water of the cooling system flows after it has absorbed heat of the engine, said device also having connection with the said heat exchange device, whereby the liquid in the station take-off line is also heated and the Water cooled before again circulating thru the engine.

16. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-oif line and station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device in said take-.off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internal combustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatus and water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel in liquid phase, and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system having connection with said heat exchange devices for flow of water therethru after it has absorbed heat of the engine to heat hydrocarbon liquids in the station take-olf line and the liquid fuel from the storage tank.

17. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with a main pipe line, station take-off line and station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device in said take-off line between the main pipe line and pump, an internal combustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatus and water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids, a pressure storage tank for the fuel in liquid phase, and a heat exchange device for gasifying the liquid fuel for use in the internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system including a device in said gasifying tank thru which Water of the cooling system flows and said water in said circuit passing thru both said heat exchange devices and said device in the gasifying tank, after it has absorbed heat of the internal combustion engine.

18. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the main pipe line, station take-off line and station pump in said take-off line, of a heat exchange device in said take-olf line between the main pipe line and pump, an internal combustion engine for operating the pump, and a fuel supply apparatus and water cooling system for the internal combustion engine, said fuel supply apparatus including a gasifying tank operatively connected to said station take-off line between said heat exchange device and pump for receiving hydrocarbon liquids therefrom and wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids for use in said internal combustion engine; and, said cooling system having connection with said heat eX- change device for oW of Water therethru after it has absorbed the heat of the engine and so as to give up at least some of the heat in heating the hydrocarbon liquids.

19. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine for operating the pump and fuel supply apparatus for the engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprisingy a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, a vacuum pump operatively connected with the tank to subject the liquid therein to a vacuum and draw oi fuel vapors for use in the internal combustion engine, a pressure storage tank having connection with said vacuum pump for storage of the fuel in liquid phase, and a heat exchange device operatively connected to said pressure storage tank ,and the engine for gasifying the liquefied fuel.

20. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine for operating the pump and fuel supply apparatus for the engine, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported, a vacuum pump operatively connected with the tank to subject the liquid therein to a vacuum and draw oif fuel vapors for use in the internal combustion engine,

a condenser connected to said pump for changing the fuel from a vapor to a liquid phase, a pressure storage tank having connection with said condenser for receiving the liquid fuel, and a heat exchange device operatively connected to said pressure storage tank and the engine for gasifying the liquid fuel.

21. In apparatus-for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus, a water cooling system and an exhaust discharge means, said fuel supply apparatus including a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported and wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids for use in the internal combustion engine; said cooling system including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system may selectively flow after it has absorbed heat of the engine to at least assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank; and said exhaust delivery means including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the hot exhaust gases in the engine may selectively flow to at least assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank.

22. In apparatus for the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids thru pipe lines, the combination with the pipe line and station pump, of an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said pump to actuate same, provided with a fuel supply apparatus, a Water cooling system and an exhaust discharge means, said fuel supply apparatus comprising a gasifying tank for receiving some of the hydrocarbon liquids being transported and -Wherein fuel vapors are removed from said liquids for use in the internal combustion engine, and a vacuum pump operatively connected With the gasifying tank to draw off fuel vapors therefrom for use in the internal combustion engine; said cooling system including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the water of the cooling system may selectively flow after it has absorbed heat of the engine to at least assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank; and, said exhaust delivery means including a device in said gasifying tank thru which the hot exhaust gases of the engine may selectively flow to at least assist in vaporizing hydrocarbon liquids in said tank. f

ARTHUR H. RINEY. LLOYD T. GIBBS.

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