Liquified Methane
Liquified Methane
(OP)
I am doing some research that requires small amounts of liquified methane (<50L) I need a tank I can transport by truck to my closet LNG fueling station to refill. The only tanks that are available for LNG are for class 8 commercial trucks as fuel tanks to run the truck on LNG. So they are much more expensive and currently only available in the whole kit to convert each truck. I only need the tank and fittings, I've reached out to the company (blu fuels) and I'm awaiting response to know if I can buy pieces of the kit individually. If I cannot I am looking at some cheaper possible alternatives.
One idea I've thought of is to convert a N2 cryogenic tank to LNG. I found one other thread on another forum on this topic but unfortunately it didn't have much information. They said it should work. I would still need to the correct fittings to refuel but those are available.
What other modifications would be required to convert a N2 tank to LNG? Is it technically feasible? Practical?
I appreciate any input on this topic. This is not my area of expertise yet, I am learning more about these LNG systems there is just not as much information readily available like for CNG systems. In order to carry out this experiment I need LNG but my budget is restricted to less than $10k so I'm trying to find a solution.
Thank you for looking!
One idea I've thought of is to convert a N2 cryogenic tank to LNG. I found one other thread on another forum on this topic but unfortunately it didn't have much information. They said it should work. I would still need to the correct fittings to refuel but those are available.
What other modifications would be required to convert a N2 tank to LNG? Is it technically feasible? Practical?
I appreciate any input on this topic. This is not my area of expertise yet, I am learning more about these LNG systems there is just not as much information readily available like for CNG systems. In order to carry out this experiment I need LNG but my budget is restricted to less than $10k so I'm trying to find a solution.
Thank you for looking!





RE: Liquified Methane
The Blu V2 LNG Fuel Delivery System, a 160-diesel-gallon equivalent twin-tank package, has a list price of $18,000 after a $7,000 rebate for fueling at Blu’s network of 24 LNG stations across the country.
Website: http://www.blulng.com/lng-solutions
RE: Liquified Methane
Otherwise I can't see any serious issues, but the venting is your key problem. You could very easily create am explosive atmosphere if your not careful whereas as N2 whilst an asphhxiant won't blow up.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
The 2006 version is available on the internet: NFPA 59A (2006)
The major difference between N2 and LNG is that the latter is flammable which imposes additional safety features.
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: Liquified Methane
I am reading about the cryogenic tanks I am considering using, I will post the specs for them and the valves tomorrow. I will share the information I get from Blu Fuels; I've also reached out to some other people inside the LNG industry and i am awaiting response.
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: Liquified Methane
1.) Liquid Nitrogen Dewar, 25 liter, Taylor-Wharton brand, Model 25 LD. Nice used condition. No damage. Comes with plywood dog house shown, and roll around stand. Shipping depends on whether or not buyer wants the plywood box. So for now, it's shown as Local Pickup. Will Ship. Thanks for looking.
2.) This CFI Cryofab Liquid Nitrogen UN 1977 Dewar Non-Magnetic 11/99 appears to be in fair cosmetic condition with signs of wear and previous use.
I really lack the knowledge and equipment to test this piece properly and so it is being sold as-is.
Unpacked dims are 20*20*41.
I attached 2 pdf files with the specs for the fill and vent valve. I've also included pictures of the tanks and valves. Here is the website:
Link
The more I research this the more I realize it is definitely possible. The main requirement is to get a LN2 tank that already has fittings, valves, and gauges on it. They are a little harder to find but they are definitely out there. I will hopefully be purchasing a tank this week. I can then know if I need my fill/vent valves to be in english or metric; both are available from Macro Tech.
Thank you all again for your help, it took me longer to get these specs up here so I apologize for the delay. I will definitely give updates of my progress and take lots of pics to show what I am doing. I'm sure I'll have some other questions.
RE: Liquified Methane
LIQUID NITROGEN DEWAR TAYLOR-WHARTON 25 LD:
Valves:
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
I'm not qualified to say whether these second hand units are good enough for your use, but the key to me is doing something that means you aren't leaking explosive gas into a confined space. A little bit of N2, whilst it can be lethal in certain places if it pushes all the O2 out, won't explode - methane can.
Hence the design pressure of those containers is critical as any rise above the design pressure requires venting. If this pressure is quite low, then it won't take much of a rise in temperature to start venting when you're transporting or storing it as opposed to using the LNG.
Clearly all the connections and piping need to be suitable for cryogenic temperatures and insulated for personnel protection and to avoid lots of ice on small bore piping.
Be careful.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Liquified Methane
One possibility for the vent gas is to run the vent tube to the engines intake manifold. Since I'm only transporting a small amount of LNG it shouldn't be producing a lot of gas, so it shouldn't choke off the engine. I wish I had a diesel-powered truck because the methane would actually increase the MPG. I'm trying to do some calculations to know roughly how much gas will be vented and if it will affect engine performance.
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
Did you find out what the max pressure in the tank was?
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
Good luck
RE: Liquified Methane
RE: Liquified Methane
Link
I wanted to note in regards to that thread that LNG does not contain mercaptans. This is why a methane detection monitor is required for vehicles using LNG.
RE: Liquified Methane
If you are refueling the bottle under pressure you cannot use an equipment with cryogenic temperature and atmospheric pressure. You need to sort out the process that you are going to follow. Without the process diagram you will hit the wall. Your process diagram should provide adequate equipment that the filling station will accept. Second; how and at what condition you are going to introduce the fuel into the engine? Liquid phase or gas phase? I would assume it is the gas phase at certain conditions. In case you have liquid cryogenic fluid how are you going to produce the gas, and at what condition? What kind of equipment do you need for the conversion to gas? How fast do you need to produce the gas, what the flow rate would be at what condition?
There are many question to answer. If you cannot answer some of those yourself no one would be able to answer your questions adequately. We can give our guesswork only. In the links that you provided Montemayor explains the terminology and the constraints that you need to consider as well.
If you are not able to get the answers yourself, I suggest you consider a consultant to do the job for you.