LNG land bridge

Abstract

An endless chain of elongated vehicles, each carrying a thermally insulated sealed container for liquefied gas (LNG) traveling at high speed along a guideway between loading and unloading locations. A folding mechanism turns vehicles into dense vertical side-by-side relationship for loading and unloading at low speed, similar to filling bottles by conventional bottling machines. Containers are connected to piping which recovers and returns in transit re-gasified LNG for re-liquefaction. Containers are capable of holding gas under pressure in case of extended conveyor stoppage. High vehicle speed is enhanced with magnetic levitation suspension and linear induction motor propulsion.

1 . A method for transporting liquefied gas (LNG) between loading and unloading locations in end-to-end connected elongated thermally insulated sealed container carrying vehicles, guided and propelled in a closed loop having vehicle folding and unfolding means to achieve a low rate of speed for loading and unloading, and a high rate of speed in-between. 
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1  wherein incidentally re-gasified portions of LNG from containers and incidentally to loading and unloading emitted gas is recovered for re-liquefaction. 
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2  wherein containers are connected through pressure release valves to an attached endless flexible gas return pipe. 
     
     
         4 . A device for transporting liquefied gas (LNG) between a loading and unloading location in end-to-end connected elongated thermally insulated sealed container carrying vehicles, guided and propelled in a closed loop having vehicle folding and unfolding means to achieve a low rate of speed for loading and unloading, and a high rate of speed in-between, said device comprising:
 (A) each vehicle providing for guidance, propulsion, controls and connection to adjacent vehicles;   (B) containers in vehicles having gas and LNG access port for mating with loading and unloading nozzles at loading and unloading locations;   (C) means at loading and unloading locations for supplying to, and withdrawing from, containers through flexible temporary hookups gas and LNG.   
     
     
         5 . A device of  claim 4  wherein incidentally re-gasified portions of LNG from containers and incidentally emitted gas during filling and discharge is recovered for re-liquefaction. 
     
     
         6 . A device of  claim 4  wherein containers are connected through pressure release valves to an attached endless flexible gas return pipe.