System in process for the vaporization of liquefied natural gas

A process for vaporizing liquefied natural gas comprising:

• passing water into a water tower so as to elevate a temperature of the water;
• pumping the elevated temperature water through a first heat exchanger;
• passing a circulating fluid through the first heated exchanger so as to transfer heat from the elevated temperature water into said circulating fluid;
• passing the liquefied natural gas into a second heat exchanger;
• pumping the heated circulating fluid from the first heat exchanger into the second heat exchanger so as to transfer heat from the circulating fluid into the liquefied natural gas;
• discharging vaporized natural gas from the second heat exchanger;
• heating another quantity of circulating fluid by a heating source other than the water tower, said heating source being a gas-fired boiler;
• and
• passing the heated another quantity of circulating fluid into said second heat exchanger, said step of discharging vaporized natural gas comprising:
• passing a portion of the discharged natural gas to said heating source;
• and
• firing said portion of the discharged natural gas so as to heat said another quantity of circulating fluid.

A process for vaporizing liquefied natural gas comprising:

• passing water into a water tower so as to elevate a temperature of the water, said step of passing water comprising:
• distributing the water over an interior surface of the water tower;
• and
• drawing ambient air through the water tower across the distributed water so as to transfer heat from ambient air to the water, the ambient air having a dry bulb air temperature in excess of 73° F.;
• pumping the elevated temperature water through a first heat exchanger;
• passing a circulating fluid through the first heated exchanger so as to transfer heat from the elevated temperature water into said circulating fluid;
• passing the liquefied natural gas into a second heat exchanger;
• pumping the heated circulating fluid from the first heat exchanger into the second heat exchanger so as to transfer heat from the circulating fluid into the liquefied natural gas;
• and
• discharging vaporized natural gas from the second heat exchanger.

A process for vaporizing liquefied natural gas comprising:

• passing water into a water tower so as to elevate a temperature of the water, said water being fresh water;
• pumping the elevated temperature water through a first heat exchanger;
• passing a circulating fluid through the first heated exchanger so as to transfer heat from the elevated temperature water into said circulating fluid, said circulating fluid being glycol;
• passing the liquefied natural gas into a second heat exchanger;
• pumping the heated circulating fluid from the first heat exchanger into the second heat exchanger so as to transfer heat from the circulating fluid into the liquefied natural gas;
• and
• discharging vaporized natural gas from the second heat exchanger.

A system for vaporizing liquified natural gas comprising:

• a water tower means having a water inlet line and a water outlet line, said water tower means for heating water passed from said water inlet line therein such that heated water passes to said water outlet line, said water tower means comprising:
• a chamber having a plurality of baffles therein, said water inlet line positioned so as to distribute the water onto to said plurality of baffles;
• a blower means affixed to a top of said chamber for drawing ambient air across the water on said plurality of baffles;
• and
• a water basin positioned at a bottom of said chamber, said water outlet line connected to said water basin;
• a first heat exchange means connected to said water outlet line such that the heated water passes therethrough, said first heat exchange means having a circulating fluid line extending therein in heat exchange relationship with said water outlet line, said first heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated water in said water outlet line into the circulating fluid in said circulating fluid line;
• and
• a second heat exchange means having a liquefied natural gas line therein, said circulating fluid line extending in said second heat exchange means in heat exchange relationship with said liquefied gas line, said second heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated circulating fluid into the liquefied natural gas in said liquefied natural gas line, said second heat exchange means having a vaporized gas outlet extending therefrom.

A system for vaporizing liquified natural gas comprising:

• a water tower means having a water inlet line and a water outlet line, said water tower means for heating water passed from said water inlet line therein such that heated water passes to said water outlet line;
• a first heat exchange means connected to said water outlet line such that the heated water passes therethrough, said first heat exchange means having a circulating fluid line extending therein in heat exchange relationship with said water outlet line, said first heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated water in said water outlet line into the circulating fluid in said circulating fluid line;
• a second heat exchange means having a liquefied natural gas line therein, said circulating fluid line extending in said second heat exchange means in heat exchange relationship with said liquefied gas line, said second heat exchange means for transferring heat from the heated circulating fluid into the liquefied natural gas in said liquefied natural gas line, said second heat exchange means having a vaporized gas outlet extending therefrom, and
• a boiler means having a circulating fluid line extending therefrom to said second heat means, said boiler means for heating the circulating fluid passing to said second heat exchange means.