A method for supplying helium to at least one end user is disclosed by feeding helium from at least one container of helium to an end user through at least one supply system, wherein a mass flow meter and a pressure transmitter, in electronic communication with a programmable logic controller measures an amount of helium being supplied to the at least one user, provides the amount to the programmable logic controller which provides a signal to the at least one end user of an amount of helium that remains in the at least one container and the temperature therein.

A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank. Following filling, the tank is disconnected and then driven to another location to repeat the filling process with a second vessel that is at a different location.

A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank. Following filling, the tank is disconnected and then driven to another location to repeat the filling process with a second vessel that is at a different location.

A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank.

A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank.

A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank.

A computer-controlled method of automatically purging and precooling a hydrogen fuel line prior to transferring hydrogen fuel from a source to a storage tank includes purging moisture from a hydrogen fuel line. The hydrogen fuel line is configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tanker storage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storage tanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured to store liquid hydrogen. The method also includes pre-cooling the hydrogen fuel line, causing hydrogen fuel to flow through the hydrogen fuel line to re-fill the fueling station storage tank, and expelling residual hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen fuel line when the fueling station storage tank re-filling is complete.

A computer-controlled method of automatically purging and precooling a hydrogen fuel line prior to transferring hydrogen fuel from a source to a storage tank includes purging moisture from a hydrogen fuel line. The hydrogen fuel line is configured to fluidically couple a hydrogen tanker storage tank and a fueling station storage tank, the hydrogen storage tanker storage tank and the fueling station storage tank configured to store liquid hydrogen. The method also includes pre-cooling the hydrogen fuel line, causing hydrogen fuel to flow through the hydrogen fuel line to re-fill the fueling station storage tank, and expelling residual hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen fuel line when the fueling station storage tank re-filling is complete.

A bayonet coupling system includes a bayonet, a bayonet coupler, and a seal. The bayonet includes a bayonet tube configured to enable the flow of hydrogen fuel therethrough, and a flange coupled to the bayonet tube. The seal is configured to surround the bayonet tube and contact the flange along one side of the flange. The bayonet coupler includes a bayonet coupler tube having an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the bayonet tube, the bayonet coupler tube configured to receive the bayonet tube and to seal against the flange at the seal. The bayonet coupler is fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to a hydrogen storage tank such that a longitudinal axis of the bayonet coupler is inclined a predetermined angle with respect to horizontal to prevent a substantial thermal gradient from forming at the seal.

Storage systems and methods of manufacturing and using the same. A storage tank is provided with an inner vessel, an outer vessel, and a support system between the vessels. The support system may comprise a repeating pattern of openings that effectively lengthens the heat path between the inner and outer vessels.