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.

A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.

A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.

A nozzle includes a nozzle bayonet with a warm seal positioned at a distal end and a nose seal positioned at a proximal end so that a distal passage is defined between the warm and nose seals. The nozzle also includes a nozzle poppet valve. Purge and vent lines are in fluid communication with the distal passage. A receptacle includes a receptacle poppet valve, a receptacle inner tube and a receptacle outer tube with a receptacle insulation space defined therebetween. A coupling space is defined between an outer casing and the receptacle outer tube. The receptacle coupling space receives the nozzle bayonet. The receptacle sequentially engages the warm seal and the nose seal of the nozzle during insertion of the nozzle bayonet into the receptacle coupling space with the nozzle and receptacle poppets engaging to open the nozzle and receptacle poppet valves when the nozzle bayonet is fully inserted into the receptacle coupling space.

A nozzle includes a nozzle bayonet with a warm seal positioned at a distal end and a nose seal positioned at a proximal end so that a distal passage is defined between the warm and nose seals. The nozzle also includes a nozzle poppet valve. Purge and vent lines are in fluid communication with the distal passage. A receptacle includes a receptacle poppet valve, a receptacle inner tube and a receptacle outer tube with a receptacle insulation space defined therebetween. A coupling space is defined between an outer casing and the receptacle outer tube. The receptacle coupling space receives the nozzle bayonet. The receptacle sequentially engages the warm seal and the nose seal of the nozzle during insertion of the nozzle bayonet into the receptacle coupling space with the nozzle and receptacle poppets engaging to open the nozzle and receptacle poppet valves when the nozzle bayonet is fully inserted into the receptacle coupling space.

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) management system that stores natural gas in a liquefied state in an isothermal storage tank. A modular multi-fueling platform is in fluid communication with the isothermal storage tank. The modular multi-fueling platform includes a LNG conditioning tank, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a heater, plumbing, associated valves, various sensing transmitters, and a programmable logic computer (PLC). Data acquired by the PLC determines actions by the modular multi-fueling platform, including operation of valves, the compressor, etc. The system transfers LNG between the storage tank, the conditioning tank, and a cargo tank (consumer's vehicle tank). The system employs steps of heating and compressing the LNG and boil off gas to maintain the LNG at temperature. The system employs pressure differences for transferring the LNG between tanks.

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) management system that stores natural gas in a liquefied state in an isothermal storage tank. A modular multi-fueling platform is in fluid communication with the isothermal storage tank. The modular multi-fueling platform includes a LNG conditioning tank, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a heater, plumbing, associated valves, various sensing transmitters, and a programmable logic computer (PLC). Data acquired by the PLC determines actions by the modular multi-fueling platform, including operation of valves, the compressor, etc. The system transfers LNG between the storage tank, the conditioning tank, and a cargo tank (consumer's vehicle tank). The system employs steps of heating and compressing the LNG and boil off gas to maintain the LNG at temperature. The system employs pressure differences for transferring the LNG between tanks.

Provided is a hybrid refueling station, including: a liquefied fuel unit, a gaseous fuel unit, a temperature management system and a dispensing unit. By combining the liquefied fuel unit with the gaseous fuel unit, boil-off fuel from the liquefied fuel unit is recovered into the gaseous fuel unit, which avoids boil-off loss of liquefied fuel. Provided also is a method for refueling in a hybrid refueling station. By using the gaseous fuel unit to perform a refueling operation during start-up of the liquefied fuel unit, the problem in the prior art of a delay during start-up when the liquefied fuel unit is used is overcome.

Provided is a hybrid refueling station, including: a liquefied fuel unit, a gaseous fuel unit, a temperature management system and a dispensing unit. By combining the liquefied fuel unit with the gaseous fuel unit, boil-off fuel from the liquefied fuel unit is recovered into the gaseous fuel unit, which avoids boil-off loss of liquefied fuel. Provided also is a method for refueling in a hybrid refueling station. By using the gaseous fuel unit to perform a refueling operation during start-up of the liquefied fuel unit, the problem in the prior art of a delay during start-up when the liquefied fuel unit is used is overcome.

The present invention pertains to a method for filling a transport tank with a product medium in a liquid state in a gas liquefaction plant, comprising a step of supplying the product medium in the liquid state from a storage tank (18) of the gas liquefaction plant to the transport tank. The method is characterized in that it further comprises a step of discharging the product medium in a gaseous state from the transport tank into the storage tank (18).