WO1999019203A1 - Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau - Google Patents

Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999019203A1
WO1999019203A1 PCT/US1997/017926 US9717926W WO9919203A1 WO 1999019203 A1 WO1999019203 A1 WO 1999019203A1 US 9717926 W US9717926 W US 9717926W WO 9919203 A1 WO9919203 A1 WO 9919203A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas
storage device
substantially continuous
pipe
gas storage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/017926
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David G. Stenning
James A. Cran
Original Assignee
Enron Lng Development Corp.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Enron Lng Development Corp. filed Critical Enron Lng Development Corp.
Priority to AU47456/97A priority Critical patent/AU4745697A/en
Priority to PCT/US1997/017926 priority patent/WO1999019203A1/fr
Publication of WO1999019203A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999019203A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • B63B25/12—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed
    • B63B25/14—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed pressurised
    • 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
    • F17C2201/0138—Shape tubular
    • 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
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 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
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0631—Three or more walls
    • 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
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • 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
    • F17C2203/068—Special properties of materials for vessel walls
    • F17C2203/069—Break point in the wall
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0138—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels bundled in series
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0142—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels bundled in parallel
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0169—Details of mounting arrangements stackable
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0176—Details of mounting arrangements with ventilation
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0323—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
    • 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
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/23—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations
    • F17C2209/232—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations of walls
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/016—Noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • 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
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0192—Propulsion of the fluid by using a working fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
    • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling 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
    • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
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    • F17C2227/0348—Water cooling
    • F17C2227/0351—Water cooling using seawater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
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    • F17C2227/0358—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling by expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • 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
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/036—Avoiding leaks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • 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
    • F17C2260/04—Reducing risks and environmental impact
    • F17C2260/046—Enhancing energy recovery
    • 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
    • F17C2265/065—Fluid distribution for refueling vehicle fuel 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
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/066—Fluid distribution for feeding engines for propulsion
    • 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
    • F17C2265/068—Distribution pipeline networks
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/011—Barges
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0126—Buoys
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0136—Terminals
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0139—Fuel stations
    • 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
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the transport and storage of fluids ; more particularly , this invention relates to the transport and storage of compressed gases such as natural gas .
  • a ship based gas transportation system in which a plurality of cylinders are organized into cells of 3 to 30 cylinders per cell was also disclosed .
  • a manifold and valve system was described for connecting the cylinders to on shore loading and offloading terminals .
  • a gas storage system particularly adapted for transportation of large quantities of compressed gas on board a ship , includes a large storage volume provided by coils of substantially continuous pipe .
  • the use of long lengths of continuous pipe for gas storage leads to a significantly reduced cost as less interconnecting equipment is required between gas storage containers .
  • a gas storage system formed of a continuous pipe .
  • the continuous pipe is preferably packed or coiled into a container .
  • the continuous pipe is wound in plural layers , each layer having plural loops .
  • the continuous pipe may be distributed within a container in a variety of configurations .
  • the container for the coiled pipe may serve several functions . First , the container may act as a carousel for winding the pipe . Second , the container may serve as a means for lifting the pipe . Third, the container may serve as a gas containment device for the atmosphere surrounding the continuous pipe .
  • a method of transporting gas to a gas distribution facility including obtaining a supply of gas at a gas supply point remote from the gas distribution facility , injecting the gas into a continuous pipe bent to form plural layers, each layer including plural loops of pipe , transporting the continuous pipe along with the gas to the gas distribution facility preferably in a ship and discharging the gas at the gas distribution facility . It is preferred that cooling of the continuous pipe storage system during discharging at the gas distribution facility be conserved in the gas storage system so that during subsequent filling at the gas supply point the continuous pipe is initially cool .
  • the transported gas may be cooled during discharging by reducing pressure of the gas adiabatically, circulating a storable fluid against the flow of the gas in a heat exchanger and then circulating the storable fluid into the continuous pipe gas storage system.
  • Cold in the gas may be preserved by piping the cold gas through a heat exchanger against, for example, a flow of sea water, and then storing the chilled sea water on the ship.
  • Gas being filled into the continuous pipe storage system at a gas supply point may then be cooled using the cooled sea water.
  • the gas storage system of the present invention which uses continuous pipe wound to largely fill an enclosed volume has several advantages .
  • the pipe diameter may be made smaller than 12 inches , thus increasing fracture toughness and decreasing the probability and severity of failure .
  • the technology for the continuous production of lengths of pipe as well known, particularly in the oil industry, thereby facilitating production of the continuous pipe.
  • Third, complicating design features such as large domes, typically welded to the ends of cylinders are not required.
  • Fig . 1 shows an exemplary coiled continuous pipe gas storage system according to the invention adapted for the transportation of gas by ship ;
  • Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a continuous pipe coiled in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
  • Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a continuous pipe gas storage system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, showing continuous pipe wound in a container according to an embodiment of the invention, and demonstrating both cubic and hexagonal packing;
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view of continuous pipe wound with minimum radius turns to fill a rectangular container;
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of continuous pipe in U-shaped loops lying back to back to form a single layer
  • Fig. 6 is a plan view of a ship, partly cut away, with spool containers containing continuous pipe, in which the containers are oriented with vertical axes and are packed in a cubic pattern between transverse bulkheads;
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view of a ship, partly cut away, with spool containers containing continuous pipe, in which the containers are oriented with vertical axes and are packed in a hexagonal pattern within semi-hexagonal bulkheads:
  • Fig. 8 is a plan view of a ship with hexagonallv packed containers with three rows of containers within semi-hexagonal bulkheads;
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-section through five spool containers stacked upon each other with continuous pipe wound around the spool (not all the pipes are shown);
  • Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the base of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 10A is a section through a container for use in accordance with the invention.
  • Fig. 11A is a radial section through the base of the container of Fig. 11:
  • Fig. 11 B is a section through the base of a container perpendicular to the section of Fig. 11A;
  • Fig. 11C is a side view of the base of the container of Fig. 10;
  • Fig 12 is a side elevation view of a side wall of the container of Fig. 10;
  • Fig . 13 is a schematic of a system for the conservation of cold in gas discharged from, for example, a ship .
  • a loop of pipe is defined herein to mean a length o f pipe that turns back on itself, so that fluids traveling within the pipe turn more than 90° .
  • a layer of p ipe is defined here in to mean a set of pipes that are spaced lateral ly from each other and that occupy a band whose thickness is approximately equal to the diameter of one of the pipes . In operation, a layer may be horizontal, vertical or at any angle there between .
  • the material employed to make the continuous pie used in practicing the invention will be ductile and not brittle at operational fluid transport pressures and temperatures , and that the material is impervious to gas stored within the continuous pipe . It w ill also be unde rstood that while very long lengths of P ⁇ e are ideal , it may be necessary to make intermediate connections between long pipe sections to facilitate manufacturing .
  • the continuous pipe may be fabricated from any normal grade of steel, for example X70 , but the pipe steel may also be quenched and tempered for increased strength after all welding is complete .
  • the continuous pipe may also be wrapped with high tensile steel wire .
  • An exemplary gas storage device 1 1 is shown in Fig. 3. Multiple gas storage devices 1 1 are shown in Fig. 1 .
  • the gas storage device 1 1 of the present invention is made by distributing or coiling a continuous pipe 10 within a container 12 in plural layers, each layer being formed of plural loops of pipe. Any openings in the continuous pipe 10 that allow flow of gas into or out of the pipe 10, such as at the ends of the pipe 17 , 19 , are provided with valves, for example, valves 21 in Fig. l .
  • the valves allow the continuous pipe 10 to be sealed for the storage and transportation of gas .
  • Each length of pipe 10 should also be provided with a pressure safety valve (not shown) to allow release of gas over a preset pressure.
  • the container 12 has a base 14, an outer containment side wall 16 , an inner containment side wall 18 and a top 20.
  • the inner containment side wall 18 forms a central core, when the container is shaped in the form of a spool .
  • the container 12 may also provide a carousel function, namely it may provide a support into which the continuous pipe 10 may be wound and then lifted, thus making the pipe easier to handle and load, for example in a ship.
  • the container 12 distributes the load of the continuous pipe 10 to the outside walls of underlying containers 12, such as the stack of containers 12 illustrated in Fig. 9, in which the weight of the continuous pipe 10 is born by the side walls 16 and 18. Ends 17, 19 of the continuous pipe 10 preferably extend through a gas tight aperture in the interior wall 18 of the container 12. As shown in Fig.
  • vertical pipes 23A may be connected to the ends 17 of the continuous pipe 10 to connect them to high, medium or low pressure manifolds 25A, 25B, 25C respectively for charging the continuous pipe 10 with gas at a gas supply point and discharging gas from the continuous pipe 10 at a gas distribution facility .
  • the manifolds 25A. 25B and 25C are preferably on the deck 63 of a ship, while the containers 12 are stored in the hold .
  • Valves 27 on the pipes 23A may be used for control of the flow of gas from the manifolds 25A-25C to and from the continuous pipes 10.
  • Vertical pipes 23B may be connected to the ends 19 to connect them to high and low pressure fluid lines 29A and 29B. Valves 3 1 on lines 23B may be used to control fluid flow into and out of the continuous pipes 10.
  • the ends 17, 19 may extend through the exterior wall 16 of the container 12 instead of through the interior wall 18.
  • the base 14. side walls 16 and 18 and top 20 of the container 12 are preferably sealed so as to be air tight. This air tight seal provides the container 12 with a containment function in relation to fluids carried by the continuous pipe 10 or the container 12 or both.
  • the container 12 may also be filled with a supporting matrix of material, such as a dry inert powder, a cement, a liquid, such as water, or a conventional mud such as is used in drilling wells .
  • the supporting matrix material may have a specific gravity greater than 1 . to assist in supporting the load on the continuous pipe 10. Filling the container 12 with a supporting matrix may be particularly advantageous where the specific gravity of the pipe and stored gas combination is about equal to the specific gravity of the supporting matrix . In this instance , more layers of continuous pipe 10 may be stacked upon each other without increasing the risk of exceptional stresses on the inside walls of the continuous pipe .
  • the container 12 may be filled with a dry inert gas such as nitrogen, air or exhaust gases .
  • a fan or like means can be provided to circulate the atmosphere within the container 12 by means of ducting (not shown) which enters and exits the container 1 2 v ia sealed apertures (not shown ) . It is also preferable that the atmosphere in the c o ntaine r 1 2 be periodically tested fo r the presence of escaping gas .
  • acoustic monitors may also be placed in the containers 12. Such acoustic monitors will sense either the noise made by the leaking gas or the sound of the crystalline metal in the continuous pipe 10 if a fault occurs and subsequently grows in the pipe steel .
  • the atmosphere within the container and external to the continuous pipe 10 may be sniffed with commonly available sniffing equipment to detect the presence of leaking gas.
  • the continuous pipe may be coiled on the base 14 of the container 12 in alternative layers from the outside to the inside and from the inside to the outside.
  • Layer 1 1 A in Fig. 2A is coiled from the inside to the outside
  • layer 1 I B is coiled from the outside to the inside on top of layer 1 1 A.
  • the continuous pipe 10 can be installed in the container 12 by winding the pipe around the central core defined by the inner wall 18, preferably beginning with the inside and ending at the outside.
  • Many layers of continuous pipe 10 may be wound on the core as the lower layers of pipe 10 are capable of supporting the upper layers of pipe without the risk of the pipe 10 suffering significantly increased stress in addition to that due to the internal pressure of pressurized gas.
  • a 6 inch outside diameter pipe may be wound in a 40 ft wide container about 10 feet high, hence w ith about 20 layers and about 30 loops (each loop consisting in this case of one 360° loop of pipe) , resulting in a length of continuous pipe in the order of 9 miles.
  • the central core may be in the order of 10 ft wide for a 6 inch pipe.
  • Pipe outside diameters of between 1 inch and 10 inches are preferred .
  • the size of the inner core of the container 12 depends on the minimum bend of the pipe, which in turn depends on the temperature at which the continuous pipe is bent and the material from which the continuous pipe is made. For example, cold bending of continuous pipe made from X70 welded plate steel results in about a 10 D (diameter of pipe) minimum radius . Hot bending may reduce the minimum radius to 3D .
  • Winding continuous pipe in the manner shown in Fig. 2A results in partial cubic and partial hexagonal packing as shown in Fig. 3 , which shows a section through the layers of continuous pipe .
  • each pipe section abuts four other pipe sections , one above , one below and one on each side .
  • the pipe 10 fills about 78.5 % of the space in the container 12.
  • each pipe section has six point contact with adj acent pipe . This results in an approximately 90.7 % space fill of the container 12.
  • Hexagonal packing is superior to cubic packing both in terms of space filling and in terms of reducing the effect of transverse crushing forces on the circumferential stress of lower parts of the pipe 10.
  • perfectly cubic and perfectly hexagonal packing occurs along lines at 90 ° to each other . If the axes of perfect hexagonal packing are rotated slowly around the coil , then it is believed possible to obtain an average packing density of about 84.6 % .
  • the valved end of the pipe 10 should be at the outside of the container 12.
  • the pipe 10 is wound on a core 22. Winding proceeds axially from one end plate 24 to the other end plate 26. This forms a reel type of winding .
  • the core 22 and end plates 24 and 26 together form a support for the continuous pipe 10.
  • straight sections 32 alternate with bends 34 to form in this case a square , but rectangles , hexagons or other polygonal shapes could also be formed .
  • the same winding considerations apply as for the embodiment of Fig . 2A.
  • Such an embodiment could be used to fill the entire hold of a ship .
  • a configuration with straight and bent sections is harder to wind, and thus is preferred when justified by significantly improved packing of coils in the ship ' s hold.
  • Continuous pipe wound in a container with a coil may be transported in a hold 60 of a ship 62 as shown in Figs. 6. 7 and 8.
  • a ship's hold may be, for example, about 100 ft wide and 700 ft long, as is preferably sealed with a controlled atmosphere, similar to the sealing of the containers 12.
  • the containers 12 may be side by side in a cubic pattern as shown in Fig. 6.
  • the containers 12 may also be arranged in a two row or three row hexagonal pattern as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
  • the holds 60 in Figs. 7 and 8 respectively are separated by hexagonal bulkheads 64, 66.
  • the space utilization for twenty six 53.6 ft. containers is about 81.25% and in Fig. 8 for fifty seven 36.603 ft. diameter containers is about 79.81%.
  • the containers 12 will be stacked in the ship's hold as shown in Fig. 9, for example with a stack of five containers 12 each about 11 ft high to a total height of about 55 ft.
  • the total height of the stack of containers 12 is limited by considerations of ship stability.
  • the containers 12 may be oriented with their axes horizontal, in a further alternative, the ship's hold may be contoured to form a cylindrical base in which a coil or coils having a horizontal axis parallel to the ship' s longitudinal axis may be rested. While a single coil extending the length of the ship may be advantageous, it may be difficult for some shipyards to install. Installing several smaller coils connected serially, each comprising several layers and having a horizontal axis, may be easier for some shipyards to manage without damaging the continuous pipe 10.
  • the containers 12 are preferably stacked, such that there are for example about five containers 12 stacked as illustrated in Fig . 9 , with walls 16, 18 of lower containers 12 supporting the upper containers .
  • the containers 12 may be constructed in any of various ways, so long as they are capable of supporting and containing the continuous pipe 10. As illustrated in Figs. 10-12, the container 12 may be formed of 24 vertical columns 52 on the inside and 24 vertical columns 53 on the outside, the outside vertical columns 53 being topped with a box ring beam 54 and spaced at 36 inch center to center spacings.
  • the base or floor 14 of the container 12 is supported by
  • the I-beams 56 connect respective ones of the inner columns 52 and the outer columns 53.
  • the outer columns 53 may be formed of a 12 x 4 web with 8 x 6 flanges, with the inner columns 52 having slightly smaller flanges.
  • the floor I-beams 56 may have a 12 x 3 web and 8 x 7 flanges.
  • the walls 16, 18 and floor 14 are covered with flat plates 58, 59 and sealed so as to be impervious to fluid in the container.
  • the containers 12 so formed are preferably provided with a lid 20 as shown in Fig. 3 , and sealed during operation. Except for the top container, the lid of the next lower container 12 may be provided by the base of the container 12 above.
  • continuous pipes 10 may be connected together serially such that all of the continuous pipes 10 in a ship ' s hold, for example, may be circulated with gas at the same time and such that a pig may be run through them in one pass for inspection and cleaning services.
  • the continuous pipes 10 in the ship 's hold may be provided with a controlled atmosphere and with insulated walls .
  • the continuous pipes 10 in a ship ' s hold may then be connected to an onshore or off-shore ?? terminal by high, intermediate and low pressure manifolds 25A, 25B and 25C (Fig. 1 ) as also described in co-pending application 08/550, 080 filed October 30, 1995 , the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
  • Gas being supplied to the pipes 10 may be refrigerated before being pumped into the continuous pipes 10.
  • the containers 12 be insulated with insulation 41 applied to all external walls of the containers 12.
  • a gas supply For use in transporting gas, for example natural gas, from a gas supply point, for example an on shore terminal or an off-shore buoy, to a distant gas distribution facility, for example another on shore terminal or an offshore buoy, a gas supply must first be provided at the gas supply point.
  • gas could be transported to the on-shore or off-shore gas supply point by a pipeline.
  • the gas is then compressed into the continuous pipes 10, and, for example, stacked in a ship 62 as shown in Figs .6 , 7 or 8 through manifolds 25A, 25B and 25C (Fig . 1 ) at a pressure for example of about 3000 psi.
  • This pressure could be ramped, for example from 800 psi to 1500 psi and then from 1500 psi to 3000 psi to make compression more efficient.
  • the continuous pipes 10 are then transported, for example by the ship 62, to the distant gas distribution facility , where the gas is discharged through the manifolds 25A, 25B and 25C.
  • the gas is discharged at the gas distribution facility in a manner that cools the continuous pipe 10.
  • This may be achieved, for example, by allowing the gas to expand out of the pipes 10, in a rolling procedure in which a first pipe 10 is emptied, initially through the high pressure manifold 25A, then the medium pressure manifold 25B and then the low pressure manifold 25C .
  • the first pipe 10 is emptying through the medium pressure manifold 25B
  • the next pipe 10 may be emptied through the high pressure manifold 25B, and so on until all pipes 10 are emptied.
  • the expansion of the gas in the continuous pipes 10 cools the continuous pipe, for example down to 0 °F, but not lower than the temperature at which the pipe itself becomes brittle.
  • the cooled pipe may then be transported back to the remote gas supply point to charge the pipes again with gas. Since the pipes are already cooled, a greater weight of gas may be charged while filling the pipes at the gas supply point to a given pressure.
  • the pipes 10, containers 12 and the ship ' s hold 60 may be covered with insulation 4 1 . Cooling of the continuous pipe 10 may be enhanced by dropping the pressure in a heat exchanger on the deck of the ship against either inert gas which can be circulated through the containers 12 but outside the pipes 10, or medium pressure gas which can be expanded and circulated through the continuous pipes 10 which already have been emptied.
  • refrigeration may be used to cool the gas before injection into the continuous pipes 10.
  • Gas in the continuous pipes 10 may be discharged by injecting a non-corrosive non-aqueous incompressible fluid that is not miscible with the gas (for example a liquid hydrocarbon having more than about 7 carbon atoms in the case of natural gas storage and transportation) at one end of the continuous pipe 10 and forcing gas out of the other end.
  • a non-corrosive non-aqueous incompressible fluid that is not miscible with the gas (for example a liquid hydrocarbon having more than about 7 carbon atoms in the case of natural gas storage and transportation) at one end of the continuous pipe 10 and forcing gas out of the other end.
  • a liquid may be stored in a liquid storage container 80 and forced into the pipes 10 through high and low pressure fluid supply lines
  • the storage container 80 may be connected via line 81 to augment the ship ' s fuel supply (not shown) since after use the fluid will contain dissolved gas which will come out of the solution inside the container 80.
  • the pipes 10 may be charged by filling the pipe with a high pressure gas at one end from for example the manifold 25A and pushing the incompressible liquid out of the pipes 10 at the other end at a constant pressure.
  • the pushed pressurized liquid may then be passed through an energy removal unit 86 such as a turbine to generate electricity or refrigeration on a line 88 controlled by valve 90 connecting the high and low pressure fluid supply lines 29A and 29B, and then used for filling the next in a series of continuous pipes 10 by injecting it into the bottom of the next pipe.
  • an energy removal unit 86 such as a turbine to generate electricity or refrigeration on a line 88 controlled by valve 90 connecting the high and low pressure fluid supply lines 29A and 29B, and then used for filling the next in a series of continuous pipes 10 by injecting it into the bottom of the next pipe.
  • the liquid is returned via line 29A and line 84 to the liquid storage container 80.
  • the continuous outflow of the incompressible liquid should be regulated with valves , for example valves 31 , and the energy removal unit 86 to maintain the incoming gas approximately constant pressure, thus avoiding unnecessary heat gain due to the expansion and recompression of the gas while filling the continuous pipe 10.
  • the gas when the gas is first discharged, it may be discharged through the high pressure line 25A to shore (in direction A) .
  • End B of the lines 25 A, 25B and 25C may be connected to other containers 12 in other holds of the ship
  • a part of the high pressure gas in line 25A may be directed through valve 43 and heat exchanger 72 to medium pressure line 25B.
  • the gas adiabatically reduces pressure through the heat exchanger 72 and cools.
  • a part of the high pressure gas from line 25A may be recirculated back to the continuous pipes 10 through valve 45 , the heat exchanger 72, line 51 and line 29A without a reduction in pressure.
  • the gas directed from the high pressure line 25A to line 25B is reduced in pressure, with a drop for example in the order of 1500 psi, it cools the gas directed back to the continuous pipes 10 through the heat exchanger 72. This cooling may be substantial, and may cool the gas to -50°F or lower .
  • the lines 25A, 25B and 25C may be sequentially selected to discharge the gas from the pipes. After cooling, the ship 62 may return to the gas supply point loading facility for another load of gas, with the pipes 10 remaining cold.
  • the sea water is pumped through the heat exchanger 92 with for example a pump 94.
  • the sea water is pumped from the sea at 93 through the heat exchanger 92 and line 95 into storage tanks on board the ship , which may for example be insulated ballast tanks 96 located within the double hull or double bottom of the ship .
  • the sea water is cooled, but not to the point at which ice is formed, and forms a store of high heat capacity cold fluid.
  • the cold sea water may be pumped from the ballast tanks 96 through the heat exchanger 92 and back to the sea, thus cooling any gas flowing through the lines 25A, 25B and 25C into the pipes 10.
  • a ship may carry in the order of 17 ,000 tons of gas for the loaded voyage to the gas distribution facility , and may carry in its ballast tanks 10,000- 15 ,000 tons of cooled sea water on the return voyage back to the gas supply point.
  • a cold gas storage container in this context means a container whose temperature is below ambient temperatures (the temperature of the air through which the vehicle, for example the ship, moves) , but is preferably much lower than ambient temperatures .
  • the technique may also be used in principle, although the cold storage fluid may, in that instance, be some other fluid such as ordinary water.
  • Ships used for the transport of gas according to this invention should be double hulled and meet all safety requirements for the transportation of hazardous material.
  • This amount of gas provides a heel or supply of undischarged gas which may be used as fuel for the ship ' s engines on the next leg of the ship ' s voyage back to the gas supply point.
  • any safely transportable gas may be transported with the gas storage device of the invention, such as natural gas, town gas, chlorine , hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, ethane and ethylene.
  • the storage device of the invention may be placed within a barge and moored close by a city together with a compressor and connected to a major gas supply pipeline to provide gas supply during hours of peak demand. During periods of low demand, the storage device may be replenished.
  • the storage device could also be placed in a building on land or underground to provide a similar function, for example for the storage of natural gas for an electric power plant or town gas for a city . In smaller sizes, the storage device of the invention could be used to store compressed natural gas (CNG) in a CNG fuelling station for vehicles .
  • CNG compressed natural gas

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

Système de stockage de gaz (11) formé d'un tuyau continu (10) enroulé de sorte que soient formées plusieurs couches comprenant chacune plusieurs boucles. Ledit tuyau peut être placé dans un récipient (12) qui peut servir de carrousel pour l'enroulement du tuyau et comme dispositif de confinement de gaz. Lorsque des récipients contenant chacun un tuyau sont empilés, le poids des récipients du haut peut être supporté par les parois (16, 18) des récipients situés au-dessous, ce qui empêche ainsi les couches inférieures du tuyau de subir des contraintes dues à l'écrasement par les couches supérieures. L'invention porte aussi sur un procédé de transport de gaz jusqu'à une installation de distribution de gaz, qui consiste, entre autres, à utiliser une source de gaz située en un point d'alimentation en gaz éloigné de l'installation de distribution de gaz susmentionnée, à injecter le gaz dans un tuyau continu plié pour former plusieurs couches constituées chacune de plusieurs boucles du tuyau, à transporter, de préférence sur un bateau (62), ledit tuyau continu rempli de gaz, jusqu'à l'installation de distribution de gaz, et à décharger le gaz.
PCT/US1997/017926 1997-10-15 1997-10-15 Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau WO1999019203A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47456/97A AU4745697A (en) 1997-10-15 1997-10-15 Ship based gas transport system
PCT/US1997/017926 WO1999019203A1 (fr) 1997-10-15 1997-10-15 Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1997/017926 WO1999019203A1 (fr) 1997-10-15 1997-10-15 Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999019203A1 true WO1999019203A1 (fr) 1999-04-22

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/017926 WO1999019203A1 (fr) 1997-10-15 1997-10-15 Systeme de transport de gaz base sur un bateau

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4745697A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999019203A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6240868B1 (en) 2000-02-04 2001-06-05 Wild Rose Holdings Ltd. Containment structure and method of manufacture thereof
EP1108946A1 (fr) * 1999-12-17 2001-06-20 Snecma Moteurs Réservoir pour stockage de gaz à haute pression
WO2022219324A1 (fr) * 2021-04-12 2022-10-20 Nanosun IP Limited Procédé et appareil de transfert de gaz

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2720082A (en) * 1952-02-04 1955-10-11 N A Hardin Multiple unit barge having an expansion chamber communicating with plural storage tanks
US4444804A (en) * 1982-03-06 1984-04-24 Rolls-Royce Limited Flame sprayed coatings
US4873828A (en) * 1983-11-21 1989-10-17 Oliver Laing Energy storage for off peak electricity

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2720082A (en) * 1952-02-04 1955-10-11 N A Hardin Multiple unit barge having an expansion chamber communicating with plural storage tanks
US4444804A (en) * 1982-03-06 1984-04-24 Rolls-Royce Limited Flame sprayed coatings
US4873828A (en) * 1983-11-21 1989-10-17 Oliver Laing Energy storage for off peak electricity

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1108946A1 (fr) * 1999-12-17 2001-06-20 Snecma Moteurs Réservoir pour stockage de gaz à haute pression
FR2802612A1 (fr) * 1999-12-17 2001-06-22 Snecma Reservoir pour stockage de gaz a haute pression
US6659303B2 (en) 1999-12-17 2003-12-09 Snecma Moteurs Tank for storing gas at high pressure
US6240868B1 (en) 2000-02-04 2001-06-05 Wild Rose Holdings Ltd. Containment structure and method of manufacture thereof
WO2022219324A1 (fr) * 2021-04-12 2022-10-20 Nanosun IP Limited Procédé et appareil de transfert de gaz

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4745697A (en) 1999-05-03

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