Gas distribution system

A method of filling a receiving cylinder with gas using an intensifier having a compressor driven by a gas stream, the method comprising:

• (a) flowing a first gas stream from a first dispensing cylinder, through the driver side of an intensifier and then to a receiving cylinder using a pressure differential between the cylinders;
• (b) flowing a second gas stream from the first dispensing cylinder through a compressor of the intensifier such that the pressure of the second gas stream is increased above the pressure of a second dispensing cylinder, then flowing the second gas stream to the second dispensing cylinder;
• (c) when the pressure differential between the receiving cylinder and the first dispensing cylinder has fallen to a first selected value, stopping the flow of the first and second gas streams, then flowing a third gas stream from the first dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder that bypasses the intensifier and uses a pressure differential between the first dispensing cylinder and the receiving cylinder;
• and
• (d) when the pressure differential between the receiving cylinder and the first dispensing cylinder has fallen to a second selected value, stopping the flow of the third gas stream, then flowing a fourth gas stream from the second dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder using a pressure differential between the second dispensing cylinder and the receiving cylinder.

A gas dispensing system for filling a receiving cylinder with gas, the system comprising:

• (a) a receiving cylinder port fluidly connectable to a receiving cylinder;
• (b) a first dispensing cylinder;
• (c) a second dispensing cylinder;
• (d) a gas pressure intensifier;
• (e) a fluid flow circuit comprising fluid conduits fluidly coupling the first dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder port, the second dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder port, and the first dispensing cylinder to the second dispensing cylinder, and wherein the intensifier is fluidly coupled to the fluid flow circuit such that the pressure of a gas stream from the first cylinder can be increased above the pressure of the second cylinder thereby enabling the gas stream to be flowed from the first cylinder into the second cylinder;
• and
• (f) gas flow valves fluidly coupled to the fluid flow circuit such that a gas stream can be controlled to flow from the first dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder port, from the second dispensing cylinder to the receiving cylinder port, and from the first dispensing cylinder through the intensifier and to the second dispensing cylinder.