Containers and methods for the storage and transportation of pressurized cryogenic fluids

Abstract

A method and apparatus for unloading natural gas (NG), including gasifying liquid and/or compressed NG using the latent heat of water and propane, and/or storing liquid or compressed NG gas in a storage cavern system that utilizes a buffer layer to prevent hydrating the NG gas, the storage cavern system being configured such that the NG may be forced out of a first storage chamber by increasing the amount of brine in a second chamber to displace a buffer fluid located therein such that the displace buffer fluid enters the first storage chamber and displaces the NG, as well as the processes for compressing, chilling and/or liquefying quantities of LNG and transporting those volumes to markets for redelivery.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
   
   
       49 . A container for a pressurized fluid comprising:
 a design comprised of a cylindrical shape with rounded ends and having no sharp angles, wherein;   the container is comprised of a composite that is lighter than steel and maintains structural integrity at a temperature variation of from plus 30° C. to minus 240° C., wherein:   at least one of the rounded ends contains at least one opening for adding and removing the pressurized fluid from the container.   
   
   
       51 . The container of  claim 49 , which has no inner liner. 
   
   
       52 . The container of  claim 49 , which is from 1-6 feet in diameter. 
   
   
       53 . The container of  claim 49 , which is from 1 to 20 feet in length. 
   
   
       53 . The container of  claim 49 , which is refillable. 
   
   
       54 . The container of  claim 49 , which is able to withstand pressure variations from 500 to 1,000 psig. 
   
   
       55 . The container of  claim 49 , which maintains structural integrity at a pressure variation of from 500 to 5,000 psig. 
   
   
       56 . The container of  claim 49 , which has a ductile fracture mode higher than steel. 
   
   
       57 . The container of  claim 49 , which has a brittle fracture mode lower than steel. 
   
   
       58 . The container of  claim 49 , wherein the composite comprises carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       59 . The container of  claim 58 , wherein the carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a combination thereof comprises fibers that are hoop wrapped. 
   
   
       60 . The container of  claim 58 , wherein the carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a combination thereof comprises fibers that are diagonally wrapped. 
   
   
       61 . The container of  claim 56 , wherein the carbon fiber is selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon composites, codified solid fibers, laminated carbon fibers, PAN-based carbon fibers, pitch-based carbon fibers, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       62 . The container of  claim 49 , wherein the composite comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of epoxies, resins and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       63 . The container of  claim 62 , wherein the epoxy is polyacrylonitrile. 
   
   
       64 . The container of  claim 62 , wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of esters, polyesters, polymers, petroleum-derived resins, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       65 . The container of  claim 49 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, dense-phase natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane, a petroleum product, helium, hydrogen, methane, methanol, ethane, ethanol, butane, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       66 . The container of  claim 49 , wherein the pressurized fluid is in a dense phase condition. 
   
   
       67 . The container of  claim 49 , wherein the at least one opening is connected to a jacketed pipe that is connected to at least one pump. 
   
   
       68 . The container of  claim 67 , wherein the jacketed pipe comprises a cryogenic pipe. 
   
   
       69 . The container of  claim 49 , further comprising an overpressure relief system that provides a signal for shutoff when the container is full. 
   
   
       70 . A container for a pressurized fluid comprising:
 a design comprising a cylinder with two rounded ends and having no sharp angles;   wherein:   the cylinder is comprised of a composite of carbon fibers with a resin;   the carbon fibers are diagonally wrapped about the cylinder; and   the container maintains structural integrity at a temperature variation of from plus 30° C. to minus 240° C. between 500 psig and at least 1,000 psig.   
   
   
       71 . The container of  claim 70 , wherein the cylinder and the two rounded ends are comprised of diagonally wrapped carbon fibers. 
   
   
       72 . The container of  claim 70 , which has no inner liner. 
   
   
       73 . The container of  claim 70 , which has an inner liner composed of steel, aluminum, glass fiber, carbon fiber, plastic or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       74 . The container of  claim 70 , which is refillable. 
   
   
       75 . The container of  claim 70 , wherein the cylinder maintains structural integrity to at least 5,000 psig. 
   
   
       76 . The container of  claim 70 , which has a ductile fracture mode higher than steel and a brittle fracture mode lower than steel. 
   
   
       77 . The container of  claim 70 , wherein the carbon fiber is selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon composites, codified solid fibers, laminated carbon fibers, PAN-based carbon fibers, pitch-based carbon fibers, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       78 . The container of  claim 70 , wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of esters, polyesters, polymers, petroleum-derived resins, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       79 . The container of  claim 70 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, dense-phase natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane, a petroleum product, helium, hydrogen, methane, methanol, ethane, ethanol, butane, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       80 . A method of maintaining a fluid under pressure and cryogenic conditions comprising the steps of:
 pumping a cryogenic the fluid into or out of a container, wherein the container:
 is comprised of a structure with a cylindrical shape having at least one rounded end and no sharp angles; 
 is comprised of a single layer of material that is light weight, as compared to steel; 
 maintains structural integrity at a temperature below minus 100° C. and at a pressure greater than 500 psig; and 
 has at least one opening at the at least one rounded end for adding or removing fluid from the container. 
   
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the container has no inner liner. 
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the container maintains structural integrity at a pressure greater than 5,000 psig. 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the container has a ductile fracture mode higher than steel and a brittle fracture mode lower than steel. 
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the composite comprises carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the carbon fiber, fiberglass, or a combination thereof comprises fibers that are diagonally wrapped. 
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the pressurized fluid is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, dense-phase natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane, a petroleum product, helium, hydrogen, methane, methanol, ethane, ethanol, butane, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the pressurized fluid is in a dense phase condition. 
   
   
       88 . A method of maintaining a fluid under pressure and cryogenic conditions comprising the steps of:
 pumping a cryogenic the fluid into or out of a container, wherein the container:
 has a structure with a cylindrical shape having at least one rounded end and no sharp angles; 
 is comprised of a single layer of carbon fibers that are diagonally wrapped about the cylindrical shape and the at least one rounded end; 
 maintains structural integrity at a temperature below minus 40° C. and at a pressure greater than 1,000 psig; and 
 has at least one opening at the at least one rounded end for adding or removing cryogenic fluid from the container. 
   
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the container has no liner. 
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the container has two rounded ends. 
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the fluid is pumped into the container under cryogenic conditions. 
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the carbon fiber wrapping provides the container with durability and tolerance to stress damage. 
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein pumping is safer as compared to pumping the cryogenic fluid into a similar steel container. 
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the container has no inner liner. 
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the container is maintained underwater or underground. 
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 88 , further comprising transporting the container on a ship or over land.