Natural Gas Solvent Transport for Lower-Energy Bulk Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and storing natural gas, such as LNG and CNG, have high energy demands due to the need for cryogenic conditions and high pressures, which are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system for marine or land transportation that converts natural gas into a liquefied medium using a solvent mixture of Ethane, Propane, and Butane, compresses, cools, and dries the gas, and then stores it at moderate pressures and temperatures, allowing for efficient energy use and easy segregation and reuse of the solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If natural gas is transported as LNG using cryogenic conditions, then volumetric containment is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature and pressure parameters from extreme cryogenic conditions (LNG) or high pressure (CNG) to moderate conditions using a liquid solvent medium. The gas is dissolved in a liquid carrier at temperatures above -20°F and pressures below 3600 psig, eliminating the need for expensive cryogenic cooling while achieving high volumetric containment through dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid solvent medium as an intermediary between the gaseous natural gas and the storage/transport container. This liquid medium acts as a carrier that dissolves the gas, enabling efficient volumetric containment without requiring the extreme conditions of LNG or CNG systems. The solvent facilitates gas storage at moderate temperatures and pressures.
2Volume of moving object
If natural gas is compressed to high pressures for CNG storage, then volumetric containment is improved, but energy consumption and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid solvent serves as an intermediary that enables high volumetric containment without requiring high compression pressures. The gas dissolves in the liquid medium, which naturally achieves high density without the energy-intensive compression required by CNG systems. This eliminates the need for high-pressure compression equipment while maintaining efficient storage density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage approach from high-pressure gas compression to moderate-pressure gas dissolution in a liquid medium. By transforming the physical state from compressed gas to dissolved gas in liquid, the system achieves comparable or superior volumetric containment at significantly lower pressures and energy consumption.
3Volume of moving object
If natural gas is liquefied for LNG transport, then volumetric containment is improved, but equipment complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid solvent medium acts as an intermediary that simplifies the transport system by eliminating the need for complex cryogenic equipment. Instead of requiring insulated tanks, refrigeration systems, and safety equipment for LNG, the system uses a liquid carrier that dissolves the gas at moderate temperatures, dramatically reducing equipment complexity and operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from extreme cryogenic ranges (below -160°F for LNG) to moderate temperatures (above -20°F), which eliminates the need for specialized cryogenic equipment. The gas is stored as a dissolved substance in liquid medium rather than as a cryogenic liquid, simplifying the entire transport system.
4Quantity of substance
If natural gas is handled using conventional methods, then storage capacity is achieved, but energy loss during compression and cooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid solvent medium serves as an intermediary that enables efficient gas storage without the energy losses associated with conventional compression and cryogenic cooling. The dissolution process occurs at moderate conditions, minimizing the energy required for gas handling while achieving high storage capacity. The solvent carrier enables direct loading without intensive compression or cooling cycles.
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
This method reduces energy consumption by storing natural gas at lower pressures and temperatures, enabling efficient transportation and storage while maintaining the energy value of the gas, and allows for flexible BTU adjustments to meet customer requirements.
Implementation Method 1
blending the gas with a liquid carrier or solvent
Implementation Method 2
compressing the gas
Implementation Method 3
cooling the gas
Implementation Method 4
cooling the gas, and then cooling the mix to processing, storage and transportation conditions
Implementation Method 5
drying the gas with a liquid or solid desiccant
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated ship mounted system for loading a gas stream, separating heavier hydrocarbons, compressing the gas, cooling the gas, mixing the gas with a desiccant, blending it with a liquid carrier or solvent, and then cooling the mix to processing, storage and transportation conditions. After transporting the product to its destination, a hydrocarbon processing train and liquid displacement method is provided to unload the liquid from the pipeline and storage system, separate the liquid carrier, and transfer the gas stream to a storage or transmission system.