CNG Defuel Priority Panel for Gas Recovery and Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CNG fueling stations vent compressed natural gas during defueling, wasting valuable fuel and incurring environmental and operational costs, while lacking an efficient method to reclaim and reuse defueled gas.
Innovation Solution
A combined defuel and priority panel system that safely depressurizes CNG vehicles, stores defueled gas in dedicated tanks, and reuses it to fuel other vehicles, employing a heat exchange system to prevent freezing and an automated control panel for efficient gas management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional CNG fueling stations vent defueled gas to atmosphere, then the depressurization process is simple and quick, but valuable fuel is wasted and environmental costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the defueling system with the existing priority panel and refueling infrastructure. The defueled gas is routed through the same priority panel valves and distribution system used for refueling, merging two separate processes into one integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate defueling equipment while capturing and reusing the defueled gas through existing compressors and storage tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The priority panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls both refueling operations and defueling operations, manages gas distribution to multiple vehicles simultaneously, and routes defueled gas to appropriate destinations (recompression, storage, or blending). This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to handle diverse gas management tasks without requiring dedicated equipment for each function.
2Loss of substance
If defueled gas is recompressed and stored for later use, then fuel recovery is maximized, but additional storage infrastructure and operational complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages defueled gas without requiring manual intervention. The priority panel valves automatically route defueled gas to the compressor or storage tank based on system conditions. The existing compressors and control systems continue to operate autonomously, managing the recovered gas through the same control logic that governs refueling operations, eliminating the need for separate manual defueling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding defueled gas to atmosphere, the system recovers it by routing through the priority panel to compressors and storage infrastructure. The recovered gas is then available for future refueling operations or can be blended with fresh gas supplies, transforming what would be waste into a reusable resource through the existing gas management infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate defueling system is implemented, then defueling capability is added, but the overall system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The priority panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls both refueling operations and defueling operations, manages gas distribution to multiple vehicles simultaneously, and routes defueled gas to appropriate destinations (recompression, storage, or blending). This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to handle diverse gas management tasks without requiring dedicated equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically controllable valves and routing mechanisms within the priority panel that can adapt their configuration based on operational needs. The same valve array that directs gas during refueling can be reconfigured to direct defueled gas to different destinations, allowing the system to adapt between different operational modes without physical reconfiguration or additional fixed infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the safe and efficient reuse of defueled CNG, reducing waste, lowering operational costs, and complying with environmental regulations by integrating defueling and refueling processes within a single system.
Implementation Method 1
employing a heat exchange system to prevent freezing
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a combined defuel and priority panel for a fueling station. The defuel and priority panel is configured to defuel a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle and direct the defueled gas to fuel other CNG vehicles at the panel fueling and defueling site. The defuel and priority panel is also configured to store defueled gas in defuel storage tanks, which can then be used to later fuel CNG vehicles.