Multiple Pump System for LNG and CNG Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for dispensing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) require multiple cryogenic pumps located in individual vacuum insulated vessels, leading to increased costs and reliability concerns due to the need for multiple vessels, piping, valves, and instrumentation, and a lengthy cooling process for pumps at ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A multiple pump system is developed that houses multiple cryogenic pumps, including low and high-pressure pumps, within a single insulated vessel, allowing for gravity-fed cryogenic fluid distribution and separate power sources for each pump, enabling efficient and quick dispensing of LNG and CNG without the need for individual vessels and lengthy cooling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple cryogenic pumps are located in individual vacuum insulated vessels, then each pump can be maintained at optimum temperature for pumping LNG, but the system incurs increased costs and reliability concerns due to multiple vessels, piping, valves, and instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cryogenic pumps (low-pressure and high-pressure pumps) into a single vacuum-insulated vessel, eliminating the need for multiple separate vessels. This merging approach maintains the cryogenic temperature environment for all pumps while reducing the overall number of vessels, piping connections, valves, and instrumentation required in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single vacuum-insulated vessel serves multiple functions by housing both low-pressure and high-pressure cryogenic pumps simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows the vessel to provide thermal insulation and structural support for the entire pump system, replacing what would otherwise require multiple specialized vessels.
2Device complexity
If cryogenic pumps are located at ambient temperatures, then the system structure is simpler, but the pumps require a time-consuming cooling process prior to starting
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum-insulated vessel is pre-cooled and maintains a cryogenic environment before the pumps are needed. This preliminary cooling action eliminates the need for time-consuming cooling processes before pump operation, as the pumps are already in the cryogenic environment whenever the vessel is operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum-insulated vessel continuously maintains the cryogenic temperature environment for the pumps through its insulation properties, eliminating the need for external cooling systems or active cooling processes. The system serves itself by maintaining the required temperature conditions passively through thermal insulation.
3Reliability
If multiple individual insulated vessels are used for each pump, then each pump operates independently, but the monetary costs associated with each vessel and associated infrastructure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple pump systems into a single vacuum-insulated vessel, dramatically reducing the total number of vessels, piping runs, valve assemblies, and instrumentation required. This merging approach lowers material costs, installation costs, and maintenance costs while eliminating redundant components that would otherwise be required for multiple separate vessels.
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 solution reduces costs and improves reliability by allowing for simultaneous dispensing of LNG and CNG at different pressures within a single vessel, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the need for multiple insulated vessels and associated infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
cryogenic pumps for LNG and LCNG dispensing are individually located in vacuum insulated vessels. The location of the pumps in vacuum insulated vessels allows for maintaining each pump at an optimum temperature for pumping LNG.
Implementation Method 2
Cryogenic fluid may be gravity fed to the multiple pump vessel from one or more larger cryogenic storage vessels.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump system may include a fluid tank and a multiple pump vessel connected to the fluid tank. The multiple pump vessel may include at least one first pump and at least one second pump located therein. In addition, the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense a fluid from the fluid tank at a first pressure, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense the fluid from the fluid tank at a second pressure. The first pressure may be different from the second pressure, such that the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense liquefied natural gas, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense compressed natural gas.