An integrated pressure regulator is provided with three stages configured to reduce an extreme tank pressure down to a typical working pressure. The regulator is configured to supply a steady working pressure until the tank pressure is reduced to little more than the working pressure itself. Stages of the pressure regulator are integrated into a body and arranged to minimize regulator mass and volume. A thermally-triggered pressure relief device may be included with a triggering time adapted to enhance the safety of smaller cylinders that may be used, e.g., in aerial applications.

An integrated pressure regulator is provided with three stages configured to reduce an extreme tank pressure down to a typical working pressure. The regulator is configured to supply a steady working pressure until the tank pressure is reduced to little more than the working pressure itself. Stages of the pressure regulator are integrated into a body and arranged to minimize regulator mass and volume. A thermally-triggered pressure relief device may be included with a triggering time adapted to enhance the safety of smaller cylinders that may be used, e.g., in aerial applications.

A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.

A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.

A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.

Collapsible containers are an attractive alternative to surface-tension propellant management devices (PMDs) for handling cryogenic liquids, as the collapsible container comparatively may 1) allow higher expulsion flow rates than vanes and sponges, 2) significantly reduce operational complexity, and 3) thermally insulate the propellant from environmental heat leaks. Furthermore, while historical cryogenic collapsible containers suffered from the low ductility of polymer films at cryogenic temperatures, the technology disclosed herein shows that the incorporation of folded patterns into the collapsible container substantially increases the reusability of the cryogenic PMD.

A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.

A method for supplying a consumer with a cryogen from a storage vessel, with the following steps: a) introducing part of the cryogen from the storage vessel into a volume that can be closed off, b) closing off the volume by first closing a supply valve arranged between the volume and the consumer, and then closing an inlet valve arranged between the storage vessel and the volume, c) vaporizing the cryogen in the volume so as to subject the volume to a pressure which is higher than a pressure prevailing in the storage vessel, and d) discharging the vaporized cryogen from the volume to the consumer when the consumer has a load requirement by opening the supply valve, wherein, when the supply valve is open, the inlet valve is opened as soon as the pressure in the volume falls below the pressure prevailing in the storage vessel.

An integrated pressure regulator is provided with three stages configured to reduce an extreme tank pressure down to a typical working pressure. The regulator is configured to supply a steady working pressure until the tank pressure is reduced to little more than the working pressure itself. Stages of the pressure regulator are integrated into a body and arranged to minimize regulator mass and volume. A thermally-triggered pressure relief device may be included with a triggering time adapted to enhance the safety of smaller cylinders that may be used, e.g., in aerial applications.

A venting system includes a vent valve in an opening of a storage tank, a carrier gas source for supplying a carrier gas, and a Vent Mast that has a Vent Mast outlet. The Vent Mast has a vent tube and a carrier gas tube. The vent tube extends from a proximal end connected to an outlet of the vent valve to a distal end in the Vent Mast outlet. The carrier gas tube extends from a proximal end connected to the carrier gas source to a distal end in the Vent Mast outlet. Vent gas flows through a vent gas lumen formed by the vent tube and carrier gas flows through a carrier gas lumen formed by the carrier gas tube. The carrier gas dilutes the vent gas and moves the vent gas higher (and thus away) from people and ignition sources.