Containerized Gas Processing System with Evacuated Processing Compartment

Abstract

A system for processing gas streams has the form of, and is disposed in, an intermodal container. The container has a processing compartment with one or more cryogenic cells disposed in it, and is maintained in at least a partially evacuated condition, below atmospheric pressure. A second compartment has support equipment that is connected to the one or more cryogenic cells in the first compartment. Methods for managing such a system include maintaining the first compartment in the partially evacuated condition. In response to an increase in pressure within the first compartment, a controller may analyze the nature of the pressure increase. In case of fire or fire hazard, the controller may discharge inert gas from cores of the one or more cryogenic cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas processing system, comprising:
 an intermodal container having therein an airtight first compartment maintainable in an at least partially evacuated state at a predefined pressure, the airtight compartment having at least one cryogenic cell therein, the at least one cryogenic cell adapted to process gas.   
     
     
         2 . The gas processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second compartment within the intermodal container, the second compartment having one or more pieces of equipment connected to the at least one cryogenic cell in the first compartment.   
     
     
         3 . The gas processing system of  claim 2 , wherein the airtight first compartment and the second compartment are divided from one another by first and second walls that are spaced from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The gas processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control system, including
 a controller, 
 a vacuum pump controllable directly or indirectly by the controller, and 
 a pressure sensor adapted to detect a pressure within the airtight first compartment; 
   wherein the controller is adapted to take input from the pressure sensor and actuate the vacuum pump to maintain the airtight first compartment at the predetermined pressure.   
     
     
         5 . The gas processing system of  claim 4 , wherein the control system further comprises a fire detector connected to the controller. 
     
     
         6 . The gas processing system of  claim 5 , wherein the control system further comprises a gas analyzer. 
     
     
         7 . The gas processing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an airtight exterior door opening into the airtight first compartment. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 maintaining at least one airtight compartment within an intermodal container at a predefined pressure less than an atmospheric pressure; and   processing a gas stream in the at least one airtight compartment using one or more cryogenic cells adapted to cause a phase change in at least one component of the gas stream.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal indicating that a pressure within the at least one airtight compartment is above a defined pressure threshold greater than the predefined pressure;   analyzing gas within the at least one airtight compartment;   determining, based on said reading and said analyzing, whether a high-rate flammable gas leak is occurring; and   establishing an alert when said determining indicates that the high-rate flammable gas leak is occurring.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said determining further comprises establishing a leak rate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising discharging at least one core of the one or more cryogenic cells. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, before said discharging, closing one or more valves to discontinue flow of the gas stream into or within the one or more cryogenic cells. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising returning the at least one airtight compartment to the defined pressure when said determining indicates that the high-rate flammable gas leak is not occurring. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving a signal indicating that a fire exists within the at least one airtight compartment; and   discharging at least one core of the one or more cryogenic cells.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising closing one or more valves to discontinue flow of the gas stream into or within the one or more cryogenic cells prior to said discharging. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising establishing a fire alert. 
     
     
         17 . A system, comprising:
 an intermodal container;   a processing compartment within the intermodal container, the processing compartment being airtight and having one or more cryogenic cells adapted to process a gas stream therein; and   an equipment compartment within the intermodal container, the equipment compartment being separated from the processing compartment by at least one wall and having at least one piece of equipment therein, the at least one piece of equipment connecting to the one or more cryogenic cells in airtight fashion through the at least one wall;   wherein the processing compartment is operationally maintained in at least a partially evacuated condition at a defined pressure.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one wall comprises at least two walls separated from one another by a distance. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 at least one vacuum pump disposed in the equipment compartment;   at least one pressure sensor positioned and adapted to read a pressure within the processing compartment; and   a controller connected to the at least one vacuum pump and the at least one pressure sensor;   wherein the controller is adapted to control the at least one pressure sensor and the at least one vacuum pump to maintain the processing compartment in the at least partially evacuated condition at the predefined pressure.