Shipboard system for transportation of natural gas in zeolites

Abstract

A system for transporting compressed gas aboard a ship includes: a) tanks aboard the ship adapted for carrying the compressed gas; b) a zeolite material in each of the tanks, the zeolite material adapted for adsorption of the gas into pore spaces of the zeolite material; and c) connection means for connecting the tanks to sources for receiving and dispensing the gas. A method for transportation of natural gas aboard a ship, comprising: a. providing a plurality of tanks on board the ship; b. putting a zeolite material in the tanks; c. connecting gas delivery tubes to the tanks; d. introducing the gas into the tanks under pressure until a desired pressure is reached; and e. after the ship reaches its desired destination, connecting gas delivery tubes to the tanks, and discharging the gas from the tanks.

1 . A system for transporting compressed gas aboard a ship, the system comprising: 
 a. tanks aboard the ship adapted for carrying the compressed gas,    b. a zeolite material in each of the tanks, the zeolite material adapted for adsorption of the gas into pore spaces of the zeolite material; and    c. connection means for connecting the tanks to sources for receiving and dispensing the gas.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the zeolite material further comprises appropriately grained, high porosity, high cation exchange zeolites.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the zeolite material is chosen from the group consisting of (i) natural unmodified zeolites and (ii) modified zeolites.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the zeolite material further comprises clinoptilolite-rich zeolites.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compressed gas is natural gas.  
   
   
       6 . A system for transporting compressed gas aboard a ship, the system comprising: 
 a. tanks aboard the ship adapted for carrying the compressed gas,    b. a zeolite material in each of the tanks, the zeolite material adapted for adsorption of the gas into, and desorption from, pore spaces of the zeolite material; and    c. connection means for connecting the tanks to sources for receiving and dispensing the gas.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the zeolite material further comprises appropriately grained, high porosity, high cation exchange zeolites.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the zeolite material is chosen from the group consisting of (i) natural unmodified zeolites and (ii) modified zeolites.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the zeolite material further comprises clinoptilolite-rich zeolites.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the compressed gas is natural gas.  
   
   
       11 . A method for transportation of natural gas aboard a ship, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a plurality of tanks on board the ship;    b. putting a zeolite material in the tanks;    c. connecting gas delivery tubes to the tanks;    d. introducing the gas into the tanks under pressure until a desired pressure is reached;    e. disconnecting the gas delivery tubes to the tanks, and allowing the ship to embark to its desired destination; and    f. after the ship reaches its desired destination, connecting gas delivery tubes to the tanks, and discharging the gas from the tanks.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , before the second step of putting a zeolite material in the tanks, further comprising the following steps: 
 a. graining the zeolite material;    b. modifying the zeolite material with an appropriate mole-ratio of hydrochloric acid;    c. dehumidifying the zeolite material; and    d. sieving the zeolite material.    
   
   
       13 . A system for transportation of natural gas aboard a ship, comprising: 
 a. means for storing a zeolite material on board the ship;    b. means for putting the zeolite material in the means for storing;    c. means for connecting first gas delivery tubes to the means for storing;    d. means for introducing the natural gas through the gas delivery tubes into the means for storing under pressure until a desired pressure is reached;    e. means for disconnecting the gas delivery tubes from the tanks, and allowing the ship to embark to its desired destination; and    f. means for connecting second gas delivery tubes to the means for storing, and discharging the natural gas from the means for storing.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a. means for graining the zeolite material;    b. means for modifying the zeolite material with an appropriate mole-ratio of hydrochloric acid;    c. means for dehumidifying the zeolite material; and    d. means for sieving the zeolite material.