Metering System and Method for Cryogenic Liquids

A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a storage tank and a metering chamber with a liquid inlet line running from the storage tank to the metering chamber and having a plurality of spray orifices positioned in a head space of the metering chamber, where said metering chamber includes a meter run having a metering element and a dispensing valve, said metering chamber also including a stabilizing column having a plurality of vertically spaced openings and first and second pressure sensors in communication with an interior of the stabilizing column;
• b. transferring cryogenic liquid from the storage tank to the metering chamber until a level of cryogenic liquid in the metering chamber covers the spray orifices;
• c. recirculating cryogenic liquid between the metering chamber and the storage tank until a predetermined condition is reached within the metering chamber;
• d. opening the dispensing valve when the predetermined condition within the metering chamber is reached so that cryogenic liquid is dispensed from the metering chamber;
• e. determining a density of the cryogenic liquid in the metering chamber using the first and second pressure sensors;
• f. metering the dispensed cryogenic liquid using a pressure drop across the metering element and the density from the first and second pressure sensors.

A metering chamber for dispensing a cryogenic liquid comprising:

• a. a liquid inlet line adapted to communicate with a source of cryogenic liquid so that the metering chamber may receive cryogenic liquid from the source;
• b. a meter run including a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve;
• c. a stabilizing column positioned within the metering chamber and including a sidewall defining an interior of the stabilizing column, said sidewall including a plurality of vertically spaced openings;
• d. a first pressure sensor in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column;
• e. a second pressure sensor in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column and vertically spaced from the first pressure sensor;
• and
• f. a controller in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.