The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 29, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2000
James R. Rigby, Kingwood, TX (US);
Brandon T. Stone, Houston, TX (US);
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A method is disclosed for loading pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) into a plurality of containers containing pressurized vapor, wherein the containers are loaded in succession. The containers may be onshore or onboard a ship or other ocean transporting vessel. As a first step, the liquefied gas is introduced into the containers, thereby discharging the vapor therefrom. Vapor discharged from the containers is passed to auxiliary storage tanks comprising a first tank and a second tank. Vapor from at least one of the tanks is withdrawn and passed to a vapor utilization means such as a liquefaction plant for liquefaction of the vapor or to an engine or turbine for use of the vapor as fuel. Fluid flow to and from the first and second tanks is regulated to assure that the total flow rate of vapor to the vapor utilization means remains at a relatively constant flow rate.