Process and apparatus for complete fast filling with dehydrated compressed natural gas

摘要

Methods and apparatus for completely filling a fuel receiving tank with compressed natural gas under fast-fill conditions are provided. To achieve this, the methods and apparatus provide for supplying cool compressed natural gas to a fuel tank and methods and apparatus for drying the compressed natural gas to prevent the risk of water condensation, corrosion and icing up of equipment. Further, the delivery of dried compressed natural gas to the receiving fuel tank is carried out under conditions that expand the gas into the receiving tank thereby enabling complete filling of the tank. In another aspect, the methods and apparatus utilize a second independent compressor of lower horsepower, or an evacuator cylinder of a primary compressor, for circulating and cooling compressed natural gas into the storage tank.