US2225578A - Liquefied gas system - Google Patents

Liquefied gas system Download PDF

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Publication number
US2225578A
US2225578A US276024A US27602439A US2225578A US 2225578 A US2225578 A US 2225578A US 276024 A US276024 A US 276024A US 27602439 A US27602439 A US 27602439A US 2225578 A US2225578 A US 2225578A
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water
compartment
tank
heat
liquefied gas
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US276024A
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Loyd J White
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Southern Steel Co
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Southern Steel Co
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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
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/007—Underground or underwater storage
    • 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
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F17C7/02—Discharging liquefied gases
    • F17C7/04—Discharging liquefied gases with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/035—Orientation with substantially horizontal main axis
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0617—Single wall with one layer
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F17C2205/0119—Vessel walls form part of another structure
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
    • 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
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
    • F17C2209/221—Welding
    • 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
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • 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
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
    • 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
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
    • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
    • F17C2227/0316—Water heating
    • 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
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
    • F17C2227/0376—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact
    • F17C2227/0383—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact outside the vessel
    • 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
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/013—Reducing manufacturing time or effort
    • 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
    • F17C2265/05—Regasification
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0147—Type of cavity by burying 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/016—Location of cavity onshore
    • 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
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use

Definitions

  • This invention relates to liquefied gas systems of the general type shown in Patents Nos. 2,121,673 and 2,121,675 and, among other objects, aims to provide greatly improved, relatively simple, eco- 5 nomical and dependable heat exchanging means associated with an underground tank and employing water as the source of heat to supplement the earths heat in vaporizing the liquefied gas and to supply revaporizing heat to any condensate that may be formed in the gas service pipe.
  • the main idea is to provide a simple heat exchanger which can be assembled economically on a tank and which can be employed instead of the type of heat exchanger shown in Reissue Patent No. 20,624.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a system embodying the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
  • the liquefied gas system there shown includes a tank l0 buried in the ground below the frost line and usually not less than two feet below the surface so that the gas known as butane stored in it under pressure absorbs vaporizing heat from the surrounding earth.
  • a combined filling and dispensing standpipe II is connected to the upper side of the tank and the filling and dispensing appurtenances, as shown in the aforesaid Patent 2,121,673 and Patent 2,121,675 are connected to the standpipe.
  • this invention is applicable to othe types of underground systems.
  • the appurtenances are housed within a protecting casing l2 so that they are accessible from above through a cover l3.
  • the gas is delivered from the standpipe through the usual pressure reducing regulator I to a service pipe l5 emerging from one side of the casing and having its lowest portion parallel with the top portion of the tank. It is also buried in the ground below the frost line.
  • a liquid compartment in the form of a cylindrical extension [8 on the end of the tank below the service pipe. While this compartment may be formed in the tank by providin a partition near one end, it is preferably welded on the end wall of the tank. as shown.
  • the compartment is filled with a liquid heating medium and is shown as being connected to a water supply pipe II, the tank being preferably buried in the ground adjacent to the pipe so that a section of it can be cut out to facilitate the water connections.
  • any other suitable liquid heating medium may be employed.
  • the compartment has a long water inlet nipple l8 connected to the pipe l1 and a section of pipe l9 extending through the wall to a point near the bottom of the compartment connected to the other portion of the water main ll leading 10 to the housing.
  • the pipe'section l9 has a small vent opening 20 in the upper portion of the compartment to permit displaced air to escape through the outlet side of the water main.
  • the service pipe I5 is shown as having a T fitting 21 above the compartment 16 and a spur tube or conduit 22 projects from the lower branch of the T into the compartment to a. point near the bottom, its lower end being closed l to provide a condensate trap in heat exchanging relation with the water in the compartment.
  • T is located at the lowest portion of the service pipe so that any condensate formed in the service pipe may drain to it and thence into the trap, 5" where it will be vaporized by the heat of the water in the heat exchanging compartment.
  • the water connections to the compartment are so arranged as to insure circulation of fresh water through the compartmentand a maximum heat transfer from the water to the tank and/or the condensate trap. If both connections were made at the top portion of the compartment, the relatively warm water would pass into the top portion and out of the top portion without circulating through the entire compartment because the cold water would remain in the bottom portion.
  • the present arrangement insures that the relatively warm water will enter at the top and the cold water will be delivered to the house main from the bottom of the compartment.
  • this has the added advantage of cooling the water in the house main before it reaches the house and prevents the water in the compartment from freezing during cold weather.
  • the shape of the compartment is 5 such that if ice is formed in it, its walls can bulge so that it will not be ruptured.
  • the heat exchanger is simple in its construction and very easy to apply to a tank.
  • the pipe 50 fittings may be assembled on itat the factory so that it is only necessary for an ordinary plumber to make the necessary connections between the pipes and the water pipe and gas service pipe when the system is installed.
  • present invention is not reparticular embodiment thereoi.
  • a liquefied gas system of the character described having an elongated pressure storage tank adapted to be buried in the ground, a cup shaped sheet metal member welded on one end of the tank to provide a heat exchanging water compartment; water circulating pipes connecting said compartment to a source of water supply and having means to permit said compartment to be initially filled withwater; a gas service pipe above said compartment; a T in the lowest portion of said gas service pipe; and a vertical spur tube projecting from the T into the lower portion of the water compartment and having its lower end closed, serving as a trap for any condensate formed in the service line and to absorb revaporizing heat from the water in said compartment.
  • a heat exchanger comprising a closed metal chamber in heat exchanging contact with one end wall of the tank and filled with a liquid heating medium; a' gas service pipe having its lowest portion adjacent to said heat exchanger; and a spur pipe closed at its lower end connected to the service pipe at its lowest point and projecting downwardly into said chamber to absorb revaporizlng heat from the liquid therein.
  • a heat exchanger including a closed chamber at one end of the tank forming an extension thereof and containing a liquid heating medium; a gas service pipe connected to the tank having its lowest point above the chamber; and a condensate trap connected to the low point of the service pipe and arranged in heat exchanging relation with the chamber to revaporize condensate in the trap.
  • a cylindrical pressure storage tank for liquefied gas systems having a closed heat exchanging chamber secured to one end wall of the tank on the outside with the end wall of the tank forming a. Wall of the chamber, said chamber forming an extension of the tank and adapted to be filled with a liquid heating medium to supply vaporizing heat to the contents of the tank; and means connected to supply liquid to the chamber.

Description

' 1940? L. J. WHITE LIQUEFIED GAS SYSTEM Filed May 26, 1939 Patented Dec. 17, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Southern Steel Company,
corporation of Texas San Antonio, Tex., a
Application May 26, 1939, Serial No. 276,024
Claims.
This invention relates to liquefied gas systems of the general type shown in Patents Nos. 2,121,673 and 2,121,675 and, among other objects, aims to provide greatly improved, relatively simple, eco- 5 nomical and dependable heat exchanging means associated with an underground tank and employing water as the source of heat to supplement the earths heat in vaporizing the liquefied gas and to supply revaporizing heat to any condensate that may be formed in the gas service pipe. The main idea is to provide a simple heat exchanger which can be assembled economically on a tank and which can be employed instead of the type of heat exchanger shown in Reissue Patent No. 20,624.
Other aims and advantages 'of the invention will appear in the specification, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a system embodying the invention; and
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Referring particularly to the drawing, the liquefied gas system there shown includes a tank l0 buried in the ground below the frost line and usually not less than two feet below the surface so that the gas known as butane stored in it under pressure absorbs vaporizing heat from the surrounding earth. In this instance, a combined filling and dispensing standpipe II is connected to the upper side of the tank and the filling and dispensing appurtenances, as shown in the aforesaid Patent 2,121,673 and Patent 2,121,675 are connected to the standpipe. However, this invention is applicable to othe types of underground systems. The appurtenances are housed within a protecting casing l2 so that they are accessible from above through a cover l3. The gas is delivered from the standpipe through the usual pressure reducing regulator I to a service pipe l5 emerging from one side of the casing and having its lowest portion parallel with the top portion of the tank. It is also buried in the ground below the frost line.
To supplement the earths heat and insure a constant supply of gas during cold weather, there is shown a liquid compartment in the form of a cylindrical extension [8 on the end of the tank below the service pipe. While this compartment may be formed in the tank by providin a partition near one end, it is preferably welded on the end wall of the tank. as shown. In this example, the compartment is filled with a liquid heating medium and is shown as being connected to a water supply pipe II, the tank being preferably buried in the ground adjacent to the pipe so that a section of it can be cut out to facilitate the water connections. However, any other suitable liquid heating medium may be employed. In this 5 example, the compartment has a long water inlet nipple l8 connected to the pipe l1 and a section of pipe l9 extending through the wall to a point near the bottom of the compartment connected to the other portion of the water main ll leading 10 to the housing. To enable the compartment to be filled initially with water, the pipe'section l9 has a small vent opening 20 in the upper portion of the compartment to permit displaced air to escape through the outlet side of the water main. 15 In this example, the service pipe I5 is shown as having a T fitting 21 above the compartment 16 and a spur tube or conduit 22 projects from the lower branch of the T into the compartment to a. point near the bottom, its lower end being closed l to provide a condensate trap in heat exchanging relation with the water in the compartment. The
T is located at the lowest portion of the service pipe so that any condensate formed in the service pipe may drain to it and thence into the trap, 5" where it will be vaporized by the heat of the water in the heat exchanging compartment. The water connections to the compartment are so arranged as to insure circulation of fresh water through the compartmentand a maximum heat transfer from the water to the tank and/or the condensate trap. If both connections were made at the top portion of the compartment, the relatively warm water would pass into the top portion and out of the top portion without circulating through the entire compartment because the cold water would remain in the bottom portion. The present arrangement insures that the relatively warm water will enter at the top and the cold water will be delivered to the house main from the bottom of the compartment. Furthermore, this has the added advantage of cooling the water in the house main before it reaches the house and prevents the water in the compartment from freezing during cold weather. The shape of the compartment is 5 such that if ice is formed in it, its walls can bulge so that it will not be ruptured.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the heat exchanger is simple in its construction and very easy to apply to a tank. The pipe 50 fittings may be assembled on itat the factory so that it is only necessary for an ordinary plumber to make the necessary connections between the pipes and the water pipe and gas service pipe when the system is installed.
present invention is not reparticular embodiment thereoi.
.connecting the water chamber to a source or water supply so that the Water circulates therein; and a gas service pipe having its lowest portion adjacent to said heat exchanger and connected to absorb vaporizing heat therefrom.
2. In a liquefied gas system of the character described having an elongated pressure storage tank adapted to be buried in the ground, a cup shaped sheet metal member welded on one end of the tank to provide a heat exchanging water compartment; water circulating pipes connecting said compartment to a source of water supply and having means to permit said compartment to be initially filled withwater; a gas service pipe above said compartment; a T in the lowest portion of said gas service pipe; and a vertical spur tube projecting from the T into the lower portion of the water compartment and having its lower end closed, serving as a trap for any condensate formed in the service line and to absorb revaporizing heat from the water in said compartment.
3. In a liquefied gas system of the class described having a cylindrical pressure storage tank, a heat exchanger comprising a closed metal chamber in heat exchanging contact with one end wall of the tank and filled with a liquid heating medium; a' gas service pipe having its lowest portion adjacent to said heat exchanger; and a spur pipe closed at its lower end connected to the service pipe at its lowest point and projecting downwardly into said chamber to absorb revaporizlng heat from the liquid therein.
4. In a liquefied gas dispensing system or the character described having a cylindrical pres sure storage tank adapted to be buried in the ground, a heat exchanger including a closed chamber at one end of the tank forming an extension thereof and containing a liquid heating medium; a gas service pipe connected to the tank having its lowest point above the chamber; and a condensate trap connected to the low point of the service pipe and arranged in heat exchanging relation with the chamber to revaporize condensate in the trap.
5. As an article of ma ufacture, a cylindrical pressure storage tank for liquefied gas systems having a closed heat exchanging chamber secured to one end wall of the tank on the outside with the end wall of the tank forming a. Wall of the chamber, said chamber forming an extension of the tank and adapted to be filled with a liquid heating medium to supply vaporizing heat to the contents of the tank; and means connected to supply liquid to the chamber.
LOYD J. WHITE.
US276024A 1939-05-26 1939-05-26 Liquefied gas system Expired - Lifetime US2225578A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2513181A (en) * 1946-03-02 1950-06-27 American Pipe And Steel Corp Head construction for horizontal liquiefied petroleum tanks
US20030209016A1 (en) * 2000-11-06 2003-11-13 Exta Exclusive Thermodynamic Applications Ltd. Method and system for supplying vaporized gas on consumer demand

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2513181A (en) * 1946-03-02 1950-06-27 American Pipe And Steel Corp Head construction for horizontal liquiefied petroleum tanks
US20030209016A1 (en) * 2000-11-06 2003-11-13 Exta Exclusive Thermodynamic Applications Ltd. Method and system for supplying vaporized gas on consumer demand

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