Virtual Gaseous Fuel Pipeline for Remote Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a gap in gaseous fuel transportation as existing pipeline systems are inadequate for areas that require excess natural gas supply, especially in remote regions where laying pipelines is costly or impractical, and current methods are inefficient in transporting gaseous fuels without physical pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A virtual pipeline system that uses a mobile gaseous fuel module to transport compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and adsorbed natural gas (ANG) from a gaseous fuel supply to users without physical pipelines, employing a mother station with a compressor, storage vessel, and cooled loading system to facilitate high-volume, high-pressure transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical pipelines are used to transport gaseous fuel, then transportation reliability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly in remote areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile gaseous fuel module as an intermediary transport solution between the gas supply source and the end user. This mobile module acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for permanent pipeline infrastructure in remote areas, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining supply reliability through flexible, on-demand delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic, mobile transport system instead of a static pipeline network. The mobile gaseous fuel module can be moved to different locations as needed, providing adaptive and flexible fuel delivery that reduces infrastructure complexity while ensuring reliable supply to remote or temporary locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pipeline infrastructure is laid in remote areas, then gas supply coverage is improved, but manufacturing and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile gaseous fuel module serves as an intermediary that extends gas supply coverage to remote areas without requiring expensive pipeline installation. This portable solution provides adaptability and versatility in reaching diverse locations while avoiding the high manufacturing and installation costs associated with permanent infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a mobile, temporary transport solution instead of permanent pipeline infrastructure. This approach employs relatively simple, movable equipment that can be deployed and relocated as needed, significantly reducing the manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining adequate gas supply coverage for remote or temporary applications.
3Productivity
If existing pipeline systems are used, then transportation efficiency is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability to remote areas are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mobile transport system that maintains transportation efficiency while dramatically improving system flexibility. The mobile gaseous fuel module can be rapidly deployed to remote areas and relocated as needed, providing both efficient fuel delivery and the adaptability to serve varying locations and demands that fixed pipeline systems cannot match.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gaseous fuel module is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can serve multiple locations and applications. This single versatile device maintains transportation efficiency while providing the flexibility to adapt to different remote areas and user needs, eliminating the requirement for separate pipeline infrastructure at each location.
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 system enables efficient, cost-effective end-to-end gaseous fuel transportation by utilizing a mobile transport system, reducing infrastructure costs and enhancing supply reliability to remote areas, while optimizing gas storage and transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor, storage vessel, and cooled loading system
Implementation Method 2
a compressor, storage vessel, and cooled loading system
Implementation Method 3
adsorbed natural gas (ANG)
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide an end-to-end gaseous fuel transportation solution without using physical pipelines. A virtual pipeline system and methods thereof may involve transportation of gaseous fuels including compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and/or adsorbed natural gas (ANG). An exemplary pipeline system may include a gas supply station, a mother station for treating gaseous fuels from the gas supply station, a mobile transport system for receiving and transporting the gaseous fuels, and user site for unloading the gaseous fuels from the mobile transport system. The unloaded gaseous fuels can be further used or distributed.