Patent ID: 6470690
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: F17C

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a storage tank storing the gas as a liquefied gas in a lower liquid region thereof and having a vapor region thereover; a heating system including an external source of heat and a circulation system for circulating a heat exchange liquid having a pressure, said circulation system being configured such that said heat exchange liquid is heated by said external source of heat and is brought into heat-exchange relation with at least a portion of said liquefied gas for supplying heat thereto; and a control system associated with said heating system and configured to control a rate of heat supply to said liquefied gas, wherein said circulation system includes:a liquified gas flow path having an inlet in fluid communication with said lower liquid region within said storage tank; a heat exchanger, external to said storage tank, within which said heat exchange liquid and said liquefied gas come into heat-exchange relation, and a pump deployed for passing the liquefied gas through said heat exchanger, said pump being driven by said pressure of said heat exchange liquid.