Draining a cryogenic storage vessel to remove a pump is timing consuming, expensive and can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. A cryogenic storage vessel comprises an inner vessel defining a cryogen space and an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner and outer vessels. A receptacle comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, and defines passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The outer sleeve intersects opposite sides of the inner vessel, with the opposite ends of the outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space. The inner sleeve has an open end supported from the outer vessel, and extends into the interior space defined by the outer sleeve, and a closed end opposite the open end, defining a receptacle space that is fluidly isolated from the thermally insulating space. A fluid communication channel extends from the cryogen space to the receptacle space, and can be selectively closed to allow the pump to be removed.

A cryogenic tank system includes a plurality of heat exchangers for heating an interior volume of a storage container. Heat transfer to the interior volume of the storage container by the plurality of heat exchangers pressurizes the interior volume of the storage container. The system further includes a valve assembly mounted to the storage container and positioned substantially within the storage container. The valve assembly includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The outlet portion is positioned outside of the storage container, and the inlet portion is positioned within the storage container. The inlet portion is sealable by a fail-closed powered sealing mechanism.

Various methods and systems are provided for supplying gaseous natural gas to a rail vehicle. In one embodiment, a method of receiving fuel for use by a first vehicle comprises sending a request from the first vehicle to a remote liquid fuel container to convert a portion of the fuel in the liquid fuel container that is in a first, liquid phase from the first, liquid phase to a second, gaseous phase.

Embodiments of systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a dual-fluid vessel thereby minimizing transportation between locations are disclosed. In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel has an outer shell with two or more inner compartments, positioned within the outer shell, including a first inner compartment for storing CO2 and a second inner compartment for storing fuel. The dual-fluid vessel may connect or attach to a transportation vehicle to thereby allow transportation of the fuel and CO2. Insulation may provide temperature regulation for the fuel and CO2 when positioned in the respective first and second inner compartments. One or more ports having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading the fuel and/or CO2.

A storage unit comprises an internal reservoir inwardly delimiting a cryogenic fluid storage volume, an external reservoir housing the internal reservoir and a suspension attaching the internal reservoir to the external reservoir. The suspension has a connection which comprises an outer tube, a bottom plate, an inner tube arranged inside the outer tube, and a movement limiter. The outer tube has an outer proximal end attached to the internal reservoir and an outer distal end located inside the storage volume The bottom plate closes the outer distal end. The inner tube has an inner proximal end connected to the external reservoir and an inner distal end attached to the internal reservoir. The movement limiter limits deflection of the inner tube relative to the internal reservoir in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the inner tube.

A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

A system for storing and transporting compressed natural gas includes source and destination facilities and a vehicle, each of which includes pressure vessels. The pressure vessels and gas therein may be maintained in a cold state by a carbon-dioxide-based refrigeration unit. Hydraulic fluid (and/or nitrogen) ballast may be used to fill the pressure vessels as the pressure vessels are emptied so as to maintain the pressure vessels in a substantially isobaric state that reduces vessel fatigue and lengthens vessel life. The pressure vessels may be hybrid vessels with carbon fiber and fiber glass wrappings. Dip tubes may extend into the pressure vessels to selectively expel/inject gas from/into the top of the vessels or hydraulic fluid from/into the bottom of the vessels. Impingement deflectors are disposed adjacent to the dip tubes inside the vessels to discourage fluid-induced erosion of vessel walls.

An anti-fire safety system for a transport vehicle has one or more storage tanks storing hydrogen. The system includes a first hydrogen-releasing system, which is configured to release outside the vehicle hydrogen contained in at least one of the storage tanks. The system also includes a second release system, which is arranged to intervene and bypass the first hydrogen release system under predetermined operative conditions. The second release system is configured to transform by a chemical reaction, at least a part of the bypassed hydrogen flowing outward from at least one storage tank, into at least one different substance.

A storage tank arrangement, optionally suitable for a vehicle, includes a storage tank for storage of volatile liquids including a tank inner wall and a tank outer wall separated by an insulating inter-wall region, inner and outer feedthrough arrangements, each configured to form a seal with a respective surface of the storage tank arrangement and to permit passage therethrough, and/or permit connection of, of one or more sensors, and a container external of the storage tank outer wall, configured to inhibit egress of the contents of the storage tank in the event of a failure of at least one of the inner and outer feedthrough arrangements. A vehicle including such a storage tank arrangement is also disclosed.

A pump for pumping a cryogenic fluid includes an activation portion that includes at least one actuator. The activation portion contains oil that may be cooled by the cryogenic fluid. The pump further includes a pumping portion that includes at least one pumping element, the at least one pumping element being operated by the at least one actuator, and a heater associated with the activation portion and configured to, when the heater is active, transfer heat energy to the activation portion such that the oil contained in the activation portion is warmed.