A pressure vessel has a first end with a first boss, the first boss having a first outer surface. The vessel includes a liner having a second outer surface, a shell disposed over the second outer surface, and a first vent. The first vent is formed onto at least a portion of the first outer surface and at least a portion of the second outer surface. The first vent includes a texture that provides a higher rate of gas flow through the first vent than through a portion of an interface of the liner and shell lacking the texture. In another aspect, a pressure vessel has a first end and a second end, a plurality of first longitudinal vents and a plurality of second longitudinal vents. At least one of first longitudinal vents is circumferentially offset around the pressure vessel from at least one of the second longitudinal vents.

Embodiments provide systems and methods for taking power from an electric power grid and converting it into higher-pressure natural gas for temporary storage. After temporary storage, the higher-pressure natural gas may be expanded through an expansion engine to drive a generator that converts energy from the expanding natural gas into electrical power, which may then be returned to the electric power grid. In this way, the disclosed systems and methods may provide ways to temporarily store, and then return stored power from the electric power grid. Preferably, the components of the system are co-located at the same natural gas storage facility. This allows natural gas storage, electrical energy storage, and electrical energy generation to take place at the same facility.

A pressure vessel fluid manifold assembly includes a pressure vessel having a plurality of lobes joined to each other, each of the plurality of lobes having a wall disposed in contact with an adjacent wall of an adjacent lobe, and wherein the manifold can be external or internal to the lobes.

An apparatus for servicing a tank and/or a plug includes a valve having a first port sealingly couplable onto a tank port surrounding the plug, a second port, and a valve member operable between an open position providing a pathway between the first and second ports, and a closed position providing a sealed barrier between the first and second ports. The apparatus further includes an adapter sealingly couplable to the second port, and a plug displacement tool couplable to the adapter for displacing the plug relative to the tank when the first port is coupled to the tank port, the adapter is coupled to the second port, and the valve member is in the open position.

A pressurized tank system includes a first tank, a second tank, a manifold, a first conduit connecting the first tank to the manifold, a second conduit connecting the second tank to the manifold, a first pressure actuated valve operably connected to the second conduit, a third conduit connecting the manifold and the first pressure actuated valve, and a fourth conduit connecting the first pressure actuated valve and the second tank. The first pressure actuated valve is configured for operation by fluid pressure in the third conduit. A method includes operably connecting a first pressure actuated valve at a junction between the second conduit, a third conduit connecting to the manifold, and a fourth conduit connecting to the second tank; and automatically opening the first pressure actuated valve with the fluid in the third conduit when the fluid pressure level exceeds a threshold pressure level.

A pressure vessel includes a shell, a liner, and a boss. The liner is positioned within the shell and defines the interior environment. The boss is located at a first interface between the shell and the liner. The boss includes a cavity and a venting structure located in the cavity. The cavity is located at a second interface between the liner and the boss, and the cavity is located at an interior surface of the boss in communication with the interior environment. A gas vent path is defined from the first interface, through the venting structure, and into the interior environment of the pressure vessel. The disclosure also describes a boss for a pressure vessel and a method of manufacturing the boss. The boss includes a port, a flange, a cavity and a gas venting structure. The cavity and gas venting structure are located on an interior of the flange.

This invention relates to a novel method and system for dispensing CO2 vapor without over pressurization. The system includes one or more liquid containers and one or more vapor containers. The system is designed to operate in a specific manner whereby a restricted amount of CO2 liquid is permitted into the vapor container through a restrictive pathway that is created and maintained by a shuttle valve during the filling operation so that equalization of container pressures is achieved, thereby allowing shuttle valve to reseat when filling has stopped. During use, a pressure differential device is designed to specifically isolate the vapor container from the liquid container so as to preferentially deplete liquid CO2 from the vapor container and avoid over pressurization of the system until the vapor container. The system is operated so that at least 50% of the CO2 product is dispensed from the vapor container. The system also includes novel control methodology for performing pre-fill integrity checks to ensure safety of subsequent dispensing of CO2 liquid from a source vessel to the onsite CO2 containers.

A pressure vessel includes a liner, a composite shell covering the liner, and at least one boss assembly having a metal boss. The metal boss is positioned at respective openings though the liner and the composite shell. A plastic layer is formed between the liner and the metal boss. The plastic layer adheres to both the metal boss and the liner to form a seal at the interface between the metal boss and liner. The plastic layer further increases a torque strength of the metal boss.

This invention relates to a novel method and system for dispensing CO2 vapor without over pressurization from a system having multiple containers. The system includes one or more liquid containers and one or more vapor containers. The system is designed to operate in a specific manner whereby a restricted amount of CO2 liquid is permitted into the vapor container through a restrictive pathway that is created and maintained by a shuttle valve during the filling operation so that equalization of container pressures is achieved, thereby allowing shuttle valve to reseat when filling has stopped. During use, a pressure differential device is designed to specifically isolate the vapor container from the liquid container so as to preferentially deplete liquid CO2 from the vapor container and avoid over pressurization of the system until the vapor container becomes liquid dry. The system can be operated so that at least 50% of the CO2 vapor product is dispensed from the vapor container.

A valve integrated pressure regulator (VIPR) device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor the amount of gas in the cylinder is provided. Features of the disclosed device include an electronic control, electronic alarm and the electronic display that are powered by rechargeable battery that may be disposed within the VIPR shroud or within a removable cylinder base affixed to a bottom of the gas cylinder. Additional functionality and security features may be provided via additional internally disposed sensors and/or wireless or hard-wired communications with one or more auxiliary devices.