Conduit seal assembly

Abstract

A conduit seal assembly includes an outer conduit having a first end with a first opening and a second end, opposite the first end, with a second opening. A first seal is positioned in the first opening for resisting a first temperature, and a second seal is positioned in the second opening for resisting a second temperature less than the first temperature. The first and second seals define a cavity and provide an air-tight seal of the cavity, and the assembly includes a monitoring assembly configured to sense a characteristic in the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A gas processing container for liquefying gases, comprising:
 a) a plurality of walls configured to form a chamber having an air-tight seal;   b) gas liquification equipment inside said chamber; and   c) a conduit seal assembly extending through a first wall of the plurality of walls and allowing transmission of a fluid or power or a signal in or out of said chamber, the conduit seal assembly comprising:
 i) an outer conduit having a first end with a first opening and a second end, opposite the first end, with a second opening; 
 ii) a first seal in the first opening for resisting a first range of temperatures; 
 iii) a second seal in the second opening for resisting a second range of temperatures that extends below the first range of temperatures, the first and second seals defining a cavity and providing an air-tight seal of the cavity; and 
 iv) an external boot to further protect said first end, said external boot resisting said first range of temperatures; 
 v) an internal boot to further protect said second end, said internal boot resisting said second range of temperatures; and 
 vi) a monitoring assembly on said outer conduit and operably connected to a sensor for sensing a characteristic inside said cavity, said monitoring assembly including an outlet from said cavity, said outlet having a valve. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the first range of temperatures is from 1000° C. and above and said second range of temperatures is −100° C. and below. 
     
     
         3 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer conduit includes a first portion and a second portion that is axially aligned with the first portion such that the first and second portions together define outer walls of the cavity, the first portion comprising stainless steel and the second portion comprising at least one of carbon and stainless steel, the first portion located entirely inside the chamber and the second portion extending from inside the chamber through the first wall. 
     
     
         4 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         5 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring assembly is configured to detect a leak in the cavity. 
     
     
         6 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring assembly is attached to an outer surface of the outer conduit. 
     
     
         7 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring assembly includes a sensor located inside the cavity. 
     
     
         8 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring assembly extends through a wall of the outer conduit. 
     
     
         9 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit seal assembly further comprises at least one inner conduit extending through the first opening and the second opening, the first and second seals surrounding the inner conduit to maintain the air-tight seal. 
     
     
         10 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls include a carbon or stainless steel outer layer, a stainless steel inner layer, and one of an insulation layer and a splash curtain membrane layer on the stainless steel inner layer. 
     
     
         11 ) The gas processing container of  claim 1 , wherein the first range of temperatures is about 1500° C. to 1700° C. and the second range of temperatures is about −150° C. to −170° C. 
     
     
         12 ) A gas liquification apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
 a) a plurality of walls forming a chamber having an air-tight seal, wherein equipment to convert a gaseous material to a liquid is in the chamber;   b) a conduit seal assembly extending through a first wall of the plurality of walls and allowing transmission of a fluid or power or a signal in or out of said chamber, the conduit seal assembly comprising:
 i) an outer conduit having a first end with a first opening and a second end, opposite the first end, with a second opening; 
 ii) a first seal in the first opening, wherein said first seal resists a first range of temperatures; 
 iii) a second seal in the second opening, wherein said second seal resists a second range of temperatures below the first range of temperatures, the first and second seals defining a cavity and providing an air-tight seal of the cavity; 
 iv) an external boot to further protect said first end, said external boot formed of a material capable of resisting said first range of temperatures; 
 v) an internal boot that further protects the second end, wherein the internal boot maintains flexibility at said second range of temperatures; and 
 vi) a monitoring assembly on said outer conduit, said monitoring assembly comprising a sensor for sensing a characteristic inside said cavity. 
   
     
     
         13 ) The gas processing container of  claim 12 , wherein said sensor is a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, or an optical sensor. 
     
     
         14 ) The gas processing container of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is inside said cavity. 
     
     
         15 ) The gas processing container of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is operably connected to a venting conduit for venting fluid from said cavity, said venting conduit comprising a valve. 
     
     
         16 ) The gas processing container of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor is operably connected to said venting conduit. 
     
     
         17 ) The gas processing container of  claim 15 , said valve being controlled by said sensor. 
     
     
         18 ) The gas processing container of  claim 15 , said valve being controlled by a processor operably connected to said sensor, wherein said processor receives sensor data from sensor, analyzes said sensor data, and generates a control signal to control said valve to control a flow of fluid out of said cavity. 
     
     
         19 ) The gas processing container of  claim 12 , wherein the conduit seal assembly further comprises at least one inner conduit inside said outer conduit and extending through the first opening and the second opening, the first and second seals surrounding the inner conduit to maintain the air-tight seal. 
     
     
         20 ) The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the conduit seal assembly further comprises at least one inner conduit coaxial to said outer conduit and extending through the first opening and the second opening, the first and second seals surrounding the inner conduit to maintain the air-tight seal. 
     
     
         21 ) The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first seal is configured to resist an external pressure of around 1 gauge bar and the second seal is configured to resists an internal pressure of around 500 mbars.