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US 7,971,744 B2Granted
Foam vessel for cryogenic fluid storage
OwnerJonathan D Spearinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Cryogenic storage and separator vessels made of polyolefin foams are disclosed, as are methods of storing and separating cryogenic fluids and fluid mixtures using these vessels. In one embodiment, the polyolefin foams may be cross-linked, closed-cell polyethylene foams with a density of from about 2 pounds per cubic foot to a density of about 4 pounds per cubic foot.
Claims18
A cryogenic fluid vessel, comprising:
- a sidewall and bottom defining a cryogenic fluid compartment having an opening, the sidewall and bottom being entirely comprised of a cross-linked, closed-cell polyolefin foam having a density of at least about 2 pounds per cubic foot and a sidewall thickness of at least about 0.5 inches;
- wherein inner faces of the sidewall and bottom are arranged so as to contact and store a cryogenic fluid placed in the cryogenic fluid compartment.
A method of storing a cryogenic fluid or cryogenic mixture, comprising:
- placing the cryogenic fluid or cryogenic mixture into a vessel entirely comprised of a cross-linked, closed-cell polyolefin foam having a density of at least about 2 pounds per cubic foot and a wall thickness of at least about 0.5 inches such that the cryogenic fluid is contained by and in contact with a compartment within the vessel.
A cryogenic fluid storage vessel, comprising:
- a cross-linked, closed-cell polyolefin foam in which is defined a cryogenic fluid compartment with an opening, the thickness of polyolefin foam between an inner face of the cryogenic fluid compartment and an outer face of the polyolefin foam being at least about 0.5 inches, the entirety of the cryogenic fluid storage vessel being comprised of the polyolefin foam, the polyolefin foam being constructed and arranged such that inner faces of the sidewall and bottom are arranged so as to contact and contain a cryogenic fluid placed in the cryogenic fluid compartment;
- and
- at least one handling feature defined in the polyolefin foam;
- wherein the density of the piece of polyolefin foam is in the range from about 2 pounds per cubic foot to about 4 pounds per cubic foot;
- and
- wherein the polyolefin foam is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene-polypropylene foam mixtures, and polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer foams.
3 more elements
In combination:
- a cryogenic fluid storage vessel consisting of a cross-linked, closed-cell polyolefin foam with a density of at least about 2 pounds per cubic foot in which is defined a cryogenic fluid compartment with an opening, the thickness of polyolefin foam between an inner face of the cryogenic fluid compartment and an outer face of the polyolefin foam being at least about 0.5 inches, the entire inner face of the cryogenic fluid compartment being comprised of the polyolefin foam, at least one handling feature being defined in the polyolefin foam,
- wherein the polyolefin foam is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylene-polypropylene foam mixtures, and polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer foams;
- and
- a cryogenic fluid or cryogenic fluid mixture in the cryogenic fluid compartment.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.