Patent ID: 6622492
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: F17C

Abstract:
An apparatus for the vaporization of liquefied natural gas comprising:a heat exchange means having a liquefied natural gas inlet and a natural gas outlet, said heat exchanger means for circulating warm water in heat exchange relationship with the liquefied natural gas therein, said heat exchange means for discharging cold water therefrom; a water tower having an upper end in fluid communication with said heat exchange means so as to receive the discharged cold water therefrom, said water tower having an upwardly extending outer wall, said outer wall having openings formed therein, said water tower having a plurality of baffles extending inwardly from said outer wall thereof; and a fan means positioned adjacent to said upper end of said water tower, said fan means for drawing ambient air through said openings of said outer wall into said water tower so that heat from the ambient air increases a temperature of the cold water as the cold water cascades downwardly over said plurality of baffles.