Gas hydrate storage system and method for using the gas hydrate storage system in automotive vehicles

Patent 5540190 Issued on July 30, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

September 29, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Mississippi State University

Application

No. 314689 filed on 09/29/1994

US Classes:

123/1A, Fuels, lubricants and additives123/25R, WATER AND HYDROCARBON123/525Combined liquid and gaseous fuel

Examiners

Primary: Okonsky, David A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

International Class

F02B 043/00

Abstract

An automotive vehicle is described having on-board storage of free natural gas and natural gas combined with water to form a hydrate. The natural gas is preferably a mixture of methane and about 1% propane. It is provided with hollow metal plates. Cooling fluid can be circulated through the plates to form the hydrate and heating fluid can be circulated through the plates to decompose the hydrate. The pressure within the storage container is preferably between 450 and 850 psig. The free natural gas within the container can be used to start and warm the engine. The vehicle air conditioning system is used to cool the circulated fluid and the vehicle radiator and/or exhaust is used to heat the circulating fluid. The container is insulated with multiple layers of heat reflective material, e.g., aluminum foil, separated by glass fiber felt. Preferably, the layers are sealed and the space between the layers is maintained under a vacuum. The natural gas is conveyed by the pressure within the tank through a conventional pressure regulator to the vehicle engine. A molecular sieve column is provided to remove moisture from the natural gas as it is conveyed to the engine.