Pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel storage and delivery systems for natural gas powered vehicles

摘要

Fuel storage and delivery systems are provided for storing pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) fuel at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123 degree C to about -62 degree C; and for delivering vaporized PLNG fuel on demand for combustion in an engine. The fuel storage and delivery system comprises: a) fuel storage containers (10) that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steel containing less than 9 wt.% nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a DBTT lower than about -73 degree C. b) a fill and vent valve (13) for allowing transfer of PLNG fuel between the fuel storage container (10) and a refuelling station; c) a liquid line (8) for allowing flow of liquid PLNG fuel from the fuel storage container to a vaporizer (20); d) a vapour line (9) for allowing flow of vaporized PLNG fuel from the fuel storage container to the vaporizer (20); e) a fuel line (4) for allowing flow of vaporized PLNG fuel from the vaporizer (20) to the engine (24); and f) a fuel regulator (22) for regulating flow of vaporized PLNG fuel from the vaporizer (20) to the engine (24). The fuel storage containers are useful for automobiles, buses, trucks and other vehicles with engines designed to operate through combustion of natural gas.