Method of transporting natural gas
OwnerBerwyn E. Etterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A means for transporting natural gas which eliminates the need for ultra low temperature refrigeration units. The method comprises saturating natural gas at its source with certain hydrocarbon additives which liquefy at substantially higher temperatures than natural gas alone, liquefying the saturated mixture for fuel transport, transporting the mixture to its destination for usage, and adding sufficient air to the mixture prior to combustion to provide a fuel of a normal Btu capacity.
Claims8
A method of transporting natural gas which eliminates the need for ultra low temperature refrigeration units, said method comprising,
- saturating natural gas at its source with an organic additive which is normally liquid at ambient conditions and is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.5 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbons, alcohols and esters, and mixtures thereof, which when combusted yield only carbon and hydrogen containing products, to provide a mixture which liquefies at substantially higher temperatures than natural gas alone,
- liquefying all of said mixture for fuel transport,
- transporting said liquefied mixture to its destination for end useage,
- vaporizing said mixture, and
- adding sufficient air to said mixture prior to combustion to provide a fuel of normal Btu capacity.
A method of transporting natural gas which eliminates the need for ultra low temperature refrigeration units said method comprising,
- adding to natural gas at its source an organic additive which is normally liquid at ambient conditions and is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.5 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbons, alcohols and esters, and mixtures thereof, which when combusted yield only carbon and hydrogen containing products to provide a mixture which liquefies at substantially higher temperatures than natural gas alone, the amount of said additive being from about 0.1% by volume of said gas up to and including a vapor saturation amount at the existing conditions of temperature and pressure of said natural gas;
- and
- liquefying all of said mixture for fuel transport at temperatures substantially above minus 270.degree. F. and
- transporting said liquefied mixture to its destination for end usage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.