Liquid methane storage system and method
AssigneeBennamann Services Ltd
InventorsChristopher Mann, Michael Bennett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling the temperature and pressure of a cryogenic liquid methane storage unit are provided. The disclosed systems and methods generate methane gas from a reservoir of liquid methane stored within the methane storage unit, vent the methane gas through one or more outlet valves connected to the methane storage unit, and generate electric power using the vented methane gas. The generated electric power can then be used to initiating a cooling cycle, which reduces the temperature of said reservoir of liquid methane and reduces the pressure in said methane storage unit. Micro anaerobic digesters and methane storage units may be configured in a networked environment with a central controller that monitors remote units.
Claims16
A method for controlling a temperature and pressure of liquid or gaseous methane in a cryogenic methane storage unit, comprising:
- venting methane gas from a storage vessel;
- generating electric power by a combustion engine using the vented methane gas;
- initiating a cooling cycle for the storage vessel using the generated electric power;
- and
- generating the methane gas from a reservoir of liquid methane stored within the methane storage vessel, wherein the generating comprises heating the reservoir of liquid methane, and
- wherein heating the reservoir of liquid methane comprises activating a heater coupled to the methane storage vessel.
A cryogenic liquid methane storage system, comprising:
- a methane storage unit comprising a storage vessel and a cooling unit, wherein the storage unit is configured to vent methane gas from the storage vessel through a methane output;
- a combustion engine coupled to the methane output, wherein the engine is configured to operate using methane gas vented from the storage unit and provide electrical power to the cooling unit;
- and
- an anaerobic digester coupled to the methane storage unit.
A cryogenic liquid methane storage system, comprising:
- a methane storage unit comprising a storage vessel and a cooling unit, wherein the storage unit is configured to vent methane gas from the storage vessel through a methane output;
- a combustion engine coupled to the methane output, wherein the engine is configured to operate using methane gas vented from the storage unit and provide electrical power to the cooling unit;
- and
- a resistive heater in thermal contact with the storage vessel of the methane storage unit.
A cryogenic liquid methane storage system, comprising:
- a methane storage unit comprising a storage vessel and a cooling unit, wherein the storage unit is configured to vent methane gas from the storage vessel through a methane output;
- a combustion engine coupled to the methane output, wherein the engine is configured to operate using methane gas vented from the storage unit and provide electrical power to the cooling unit;
- a receiver;
- and
- one or more gas valves that control flow of the vented methane gas to the combustion engine,
- wherein the one or more valves are configured to open or close based at least in part on receipt of a power production command.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.