Patent ID: 8225617
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: F17C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process of mixing natural gas with a hydrocarbon solvent to yield a liquid medium suited for storage and transport at greater storage densities than compressed natural gas at the same storage conditions, comprising: combining natural gas with a liquid hydrocarbon solvent into a single phase liquid medium comprising the natural gas absorbed in the hydrocarbon solvent, compressing the single phase liquid medium to a storage pressure in a range from about 900 psig to about 2150 psig, and storing the single phase liquid medium in a storage vessel at a storage temperature in a range from below about −10° F. to above about −80° F., wherein the natural gas of the single phase liquid medium is stored at storage densities that exceed storage densities of compressed natural gas for the same pressure and temperatures.