Abstract:
An over-water compressed gas transport system having a storage vessel disposed only on or above the deck of a seagoing vessel. The storage vessel is fabricated of standard pipeline type pipe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to gas transportation systems and, more particularly, relates to a system for transporting non-liquefied compressed gas over water. 
     2. Description of the Relevant Art 
     Several varied distribution systems for natural gas are well known. Pipelines are generally used to economically distribute compressed natural gas (CNG) over land. Pipelines are large systems that require planning, large capital investement, and are subject to regulatory control. Due to this regulatory control, and other factors, pipeline technology is highly standardized and well understood. Pipeline materials, such as standard pipeline type pipe, are used in great quantities and are economically mass produced. 
     A system for transporting natural gas from &#34;shut in&#34; wells not accessed by a pipeline is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,139,019, 4,213,476, and 4,380,242. Those patents disclose a system for transferring CNG from a shut in well to a delivery point in special containers carried by a truck. 
     Systems for transporting natural gas over water generally include ships having special vessels on board for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG). The quantity of gas transported is of course much greater if the gas is liquefied. The high cost of building and operating over-water transport can only be recovered by transporting LNG. However, an LNG transport system requires a liquefaction facility at the shipping point and a conversion facility at the delivery point. 
     In many instances, geography dictates that over water transport is desirable. For example, gas may be transported from a source on one island to a user on another island or inadequate roads and lack of a pipeline make transportation by rivers desirable. However, the amount of gas to be transferred, or other factors, may not justify the costs of liquefaction and liquid handling facilities or the construction of a pipeline. Thus, economical transport of CNG over-water is required. 
     Several systems have been proposed to implement this type of system. In one system, the above-described CNG truck transport system is transported by barge. Also, a system utilizing special custom-built vessels for storing CNG on the deck of a barge has been proposed. 
     All of the proposed systems have some drawbacks either in the cost of the system, safety problems, or lack of capacity. However, the various proposals illustrate the need for an economically viable system for over-water transportation of CNG. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENITON 
     In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost, safe over-water CNG transport system. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a CNG storage element fabricated from lengths of common pipeline type pipe is disposed only on and above the deck of a seagoing vessel. Because of the low cost and general availability of the pipe, the storage system does not require a large capital investment. Additionally, minor gas leaks are vented to the atmosphere because the storage vessel is disposed on the deck of the seagoing vessel. Thus, any possibility of fire or explosion is obviated. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, each length of pipe is capped at each end and fitted with a manifold connector to form a CNG storage element. A manifold distributes compressed gas from a storage facility to the various storage elements at the shipping point and from the various storage elements to a storage facility at a receiving point. 
     Accordingly, an over-water natural gas transport system for economically transporting natural gas in an environment where gas liquefaction facilities are non-existent or not economically viable is provided. Further, the need for expensive, specially constructed storage vessels is obviated by utilizing low-cost, generally available standard pipeline type pipe. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in view of drawings and following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic diagram of one storage element; and 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and of an alternate embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to drawings, where identical or corresponding parts are referred to by the same reference numerals throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, a CNG storage system 10 is disposed only on and above the deck of a barge 12. The storage system 10 includes several storage elements 14 coupled to a manifold 16. The manifold includes a receiving/delivery port 18 and several transfer ports 20. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the storage elements 14 are supported by a rigid structure (not shown) affixed to the deck of the barge 12. This structure may be formed of metal shapes or pipes that are welded or bolted together. The height of the storage system 10 is determined by the quantity of gas to be shipped and the stability of the barge. 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic diagram of one storage element 14. Each element is formed from a length of standard pipeline type pipe 30. The ends of the pipe 30 are sealed by caps 32 welded on the ends of the pipe 30 and a manifold connector 34 and vent 36 are mounted on each pipe 30. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the system. In FIG. 4, two embodiments are shown where the storage elements 14 may be the full length of the barge or half the length. The choice of length may well depend on the length of available pipe. Since cost reduction is a primary advantage of the system it is important to minimize the welding and cutting operations required to construct the system. 
     The above-described embodiment utilizes standard pipeline pipe with wall thicknesses and yield strength commonly used in the pipeline industry. As described above, this pipe is mass produced and inexpensive. Additionally, because the entire vessel 10 is open to the atmosphere, minor gas leaks will be vented and there is no danger of a gas build-up that could cause a fire or explosion. 
     In operation, at a shipping facility the receiving/delivery port 18 is coupled to an output line from the shipping facility. A compression facility is used to increase the gas pressure from the receiving pressure in the pipeline to the storage pressure in the pipe type elements 14. 
     At a delivery point, the receiving/delivery port 18 is coupled to an input line of the receiving facility. The pressure of the stored gas causes gas flow into the receiving storage vessel. Naturally, some residual gas will remain in the storage elements 14. If it is desired to remove this residual gas, a compressor may be utilized to make the residual gas flow into the delivery system. 
     The arrangement of the storage elements 14 and the structural system for mounting the elements on the barge is determined by safety and marine design factors and is not part of the present invention. Further, although barges may be advantageously utilized other types of ships or vessels may be utilized so long as the storage system 10 is disposed only on the deck of the ship or vessel. 
     The invention has now been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Substitution of parts and other modifications will now be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, the transport system of the present invention may be utilized to transport compressed gases other than natural gas. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited except as provided by the appended claims.