Apparatus for unloading CNG from storage vessels

摘要

Methods and apparatus for offloading CNG from high-pressure storage vessels (22) are provided. The methods and apparatus are operable to warm the offloaded CNG either before or after a letdown in pressure to ensure that the delivered product is gaseous and that delivery of condensed products to downstream equipment is avoided. Particularly, a heating assembly (32) configured to warm a stream offloaded from a vessel (22) and flowing through a coil-shaped conduit (84) by infrared energy emitted by one or more heating elements (70) is provided upstream or downstream of a pressure reduction device (50).

主权项

1. An apparatus for unloading compressed natural gas (CNG) from a storage vessel comprising:
coupling structure for connecting said apparatus to the storage vessel containing the CNG and delivering CNG offloaded from the storage vessel to said apparatus; a heating apparatus comprising at least one heater; a first conduit section configured to conduct the offloaded natural gas stream through said heating apparatus, said coupling structure and said first conduit section configured to deliver said offloaded natural gas stream to said heating apparatus without substantially reducing the pressure of the offloaded natural gas stream, said heating apparatus positioned adjacent to at least a portion of said first conduit section and configured to deliver energy to said first conduit section for heating of said natural gas stream flowing therethrough; and a second conduit section comprising a pressure let down valve located downstream from said heating apparatus and operable to reduce the pressure of said natural gas stream.