Apparatus And Methods For Converting A Cryogenic Fluid Into Gas

Abstract

Method and apparatus for vaporizing cryogenic fluids in which an intermediate heat transfer fluid is first heated across a heat transfer surface with ambient air, and then the heat transfer surface provides heat to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.

1 . A method of vaporizing a cryogenic fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing heat from ambient air to a heat transfer fluid across a heat transfer surface, wherein the ambient air and heat transfer fluid are not in direct contact; providing heat from the heat transfer fluid to a cryogenic fluid sufficient to vaporize the cryogenic fluid.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic fluid is LNG.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for vaporizing a cryogenic fluid, comprising: a heat transfer fluid closed circulation loop defined by an ambient air heat exchanger, a heater and a vaporizer; and an LNG flow path defined thru the vaporizer.  
   
   
       4 . A method of modifying a vaporizing system in which a heat transfer fluid is circulated thru a heater to heat up the fluid and then circulated thru a vaporizer to vaporize the cryogenic fluid, the method comprises addition of a ambient air heat exchanger to provide heat to the heat exchange fluid.  
   
   
       5 . A modified system for vaporizing a cryogenic fluid comprising a heat transfer fluid heater and vaporizer, and comprising an ambient air heat exchanger added after the heat transfer fluid heater and vaporizer have been in operation in the system.