Method of increasing storage capacity of natural gas tank
US9328868B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF17C2221/033
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for increasing capacity of a natural gas (NG) tank. The method includes selecting a container with a service pressure rating of about 3,000 or 3,600 psi. An NG adsorbent is in the container. The container has a maximum fill capacity. The method further includes cooling the adsorbent by Joule-Thomson cooling during filling of the container with NG from a filling source at greater than 3,600 psi. The container is filled to the maximum fill capacity at a fill rate to prevent a bulk temperature of the adsorbent from rising more than about 5° C. above an ambient temperature. A rate of heat transfer from the tank is less than a rate of heating from compression of the NG and adsorption during the filling. The NG adsorbent adsorbs a higher amount of NG than it would at higher than 5° C. above ambient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.