Patent Abstract:
This disclosure relates generally to the use of gas clathrates. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to the use of gas clathrates as a fuel source for automobiles. The gas clathrates may first be dissociated into at least one gas and the at least one gas delivered to the prime mover of a vehicle or the gas clathrates may be directly utilized by the prime mover as a fuel source.

Full Description:
If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date of this application, it is incorporated by reference herein. Any applications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of such applications, are also incorporated by reference, including any priority claims made in those applications and any material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to and/or claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)). In addition, the present application is related to the “Related Applications,” if any, listed below. 
     PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/862,211, entitled SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES RELATED TO THE USE OF GAS CLATHRATES, naming Roderick A. Hyde and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 12 Apr. 2013, is related to the present application. 
     The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parent application. Stephen G. Kunin,  Benefit of Prior - Filed Application , USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The USPTO further has provided forms for the Application Data Sheet which allow automatic loading of bibliographic data but which require identification of each application as a continuation, continuation-in-part, or divisional of a parent application. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant has provided designation(s) of a relationship between the present application and its parent application(s) as set forth above and in any ADS filed in this application, but expressly points out that such designation(s) are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s). 
     If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with the listings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claim priority to each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of the ADS and to each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of this application. 
     All subject matter of the Priority Applications and the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Applications and the Related Applications, including any priority claims, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the use of gas clathrates. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to the use of gas clathrates as a fuel source for automobiles. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure provides methods of providing gaseous fuel to a prime mover of a vehicle. The methods comprise providing a vehicle fuel storage system comprising a first vessel configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The methods further comprise providing a separation system comprising a second vessel operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system. The separation system is configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and a host material. The methods further comprise discharging the gas clathrates from the first vessel to the second vessel and dissociating at least a portion of the gas clathrates into the at least one gas and the host material. The methods may further comprise delivering the at least one gas to the prime mover. 
     This disclosure also provides vehicle fuel systems configured to utilize gas clathrates. The vehicle fuel systems comprise a vehicle fuel storage system and a separation system. The vehicle fuel storage system comprises a first vessel configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The separation system comprises a second vessel operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system. The separation system is configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and a host material. 
     This disclosure also provides vehicles comprising one of the above vehicle fuel systems and a prime mover configured to utilize dissociated gas to generate power. The prime mover may comprise an internal combustion engine, an external combustion engine, or a fuel cell. 
     This disclosure also provides methods of powering a vehicle. The methods comprise providing a vehicle fuel storage system comprising a first vessel configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The methods further comprise discharging a portion of the gas clathrates from the first vessel and then generating heat from combusting the discharged gas clathrates. The methods further comprise converting the generated heat into mechanical work and utilizing the mechanical work to power the drive train of a vehicle. The combustion may be conducted in an engine configured to convert the generated heat from combustion into the mechanical work. 
     This disclosure also provides engines configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. This disclosure also provides vehicles comprising such engines. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle fuel system configured to utilize gas clathrates. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with additional optional components and systems. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle configured to utilize gas clathrates as fuel source. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to traditional fossil fuels. However, natural gas at ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressure is a low-volume gas. For an automobile to store a sufficient amount of natural gas for operation comparable to that of a gasoline or diesel engine, it has been necessary to increase the density of the natural gas. One approach has been to liquify the natural gas by cooling the natural gas to about −162 degrees Centrigrade. At that temperature, natural gas is a liquid at essentially ambient pressure. Storage of liquid natural gas (“LNG”) requires the use of special cryogenic equipment. Another approach has been to compress the natural gas to a pressure of about 200 to 248 bars. At that pressure and ambient temperature, natural gas occupies about 1/100th the volume of natural gas at general ambient temperatures and pressures. Storage of compressed natural gas (“CNG”) requires the use of high-pressure storage vessels. 
     Gas clathrates are chemical substances in which certain gas molecules are trapped in a cage or crystal lattice formed by certain host materials. In many cases, the gas molecules stabilize the crystal lattice or cage, such that the crystal lattice or cage may maintain its structure at much higher temperature and lower pressure than would be possible without the presence of the gas molecules. Methane clathrates, for example, exist in nature, among other places, under sediments on the ocean floors. Gas clathrates may be able to store gases, such as methane, at volumes comparable to CNG, but at much lower pressures and at much higher temperatures than LNG. 
     Combustion of gas clathrates refers to dissociation of gas(es) from the clathrate host material and then combustion of the gas(es). During the process of combustion of the gas(es) the host material may also be vaporized. This vaporization does not constitute combustion. However, in some embodiments, the host material may include elements that may be combustible under certain conditions. Dissociation of gas(es) from the clathrate host material includes any process for separating the gas(es) from the clathrate host material. This includes diffusion of the gas(es) away from the solid clathrate host material and/or melting of the clathrate host material to release the gas(es). 
     The phrases “operably connected to,” “connected to,” and “coupled to” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Likewise, “fluidically connected to” refers to any form of fluidic interaction between two or more entities. Two entities may interact with each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two entities may interact with each other through an intermediate entity. 
     The term “substantially” is used herein to mean almost and including 100%, including at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, and at least about 99%. 
     This disclosure provides methods of providing gaseous fuel to a prime mover of a vehicle. The methods comprise providing a vehicle fuel storage system comprising a first vessel configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The methods further comprise providing a separation system comprising a second vessel operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system. The separation system is configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and a host material. The methods further comprise discharging the gas clathrates from the first vessel to the second vessel and dissociating at least a portion of the gas clathrates into the at least one gas and the host material. 
     The methods may further comprise delivering the at least one gas to the prime mover. The prime mover may be an internal combustion engine, an external combustion engine, or a fuel cell. The first vessel may be configured to discharge the gas clathrates as a slurry to the second vessel. 
     The gas clathrates may comprise natural gas clathrates, methane clathrates, ethane clathrates, propane clathrates, and hydrogen clathrates. Accordingly, the at least one gas may comprise natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, or hydrogen. 
     The host material may comprise water. The host material may further comprise clathrate stabilizers. Examples of clathrate stabilizer include, but are not limited to carboxylic acids and/or carboxylate containing compounds, such as lactic acid, acetic acid, the lactate ion, or the acetate ion; sodium hydroxide and/or a sodium ion; calcium hydroxide and/or a calcium ion; tetrahydrofuran; a surfactant, such as an anionic surfactant, such as alkyl sulfates or alkyl aryl sulfonates; an aphron; water soluble salts; clay; oxide particles, such as magnesium oxide particles, organic compounds, such as phenyl, phenol, alkoxyphenyl, or imidazole containing compounds. 
     This disclosure also provides vehicle fuel systems configured to utilize gas clathrates.  FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle fuel system  100  comprising a vehicle fuel storage system  10  and a separation system  20 . The vehicle fuel storage system  10  comprises a first vessel  11  configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The separation system  20  comprises a second vessel  21  operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  10 . The separation system  20  is configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and a host material. 
     First vessel  11  may be configured to maintain gas clathrates as a slurry during storage or as a solid during storage. The solid gas clathrates may be one cohesive solid or may be solid pellets and/or chunks. First vessel  11  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 25 degrees Centrigrade. First vessel  11  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 20 degrees Centrigrade. First vessel  11  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 15 degrees Centrigrade. First vessel  11  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 10 degrees Centrigrade, including from about 4 degrees Centigrade to about 10 degrees Centigrade. 
     First vessel  11  may be configured to be integrally secured to the frame of a vehicle. First vessel  11  may be configured to be directly or indirectly detachably secured to the frame of a vehicle, such as via a mechanical and/or magnetic device. First vessel  11  may be configured to be detachably connected to the fuel supply lines that feed the prime mover of a vehicle. 
     Second vessel  21  may be configured to operate at ambient temperature and/or at any temperature that is higher than the operating temperature of the first vessel  11 . Alternatively, second vessel  21  may be configured to operate at a temperature that is about the same as an operating temperature of the first vessel, but at a lower pressure than that of first vessel  11 . For example, second vessel  21  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 25 degrees Centrigrade. Second vessel  21  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 20 degrees Centrigrade. Second vessel  21  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 15 degrees Centrigrade. Second vessel  21  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 10 degrees Centrigrade, including from about 4 degrees Centigrade to about 10 degrees Centigrade. 
     First vessel  11  and second vessel  21  may each further comprise insulation. The insulation may comprise at least one material configured to and compatible with maintaining desired temperatures within each vessel. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, calcium silicate, cellular glass, elastomeric foam, fiberglass, polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, and polyurethane. The insulation may comprise at least one vacuum layer and/or multi-layer insulation. The insulation may releasably surround at least a portion of an outer surface of the first vessel  11  and/or the insulation may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the first vessel  11 , including an outer and/or inner surface. The insulation may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the second vessel  21 , including an outer and/or inner surface. 
     First vessel  11  and second vessel  21  may each be comprised of structural materials configured to and compatible with maintaining desired temperatures and pressures within each respective vessel. The structural material may comprise aluminum, brass, copper, ferretic steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), vinylidene polyfluoride (PVDF), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene (CR), chlorofluorocarbons (FKM), and/or composite materials, including composite materials comprising carbon fibers, glass fibers, and/or aramid fibers. 
     First vessel  11  may be designed to maintain an internal pressure of about 1 bar to about 30 bar. First vessel  11  may be designed to maintain an internal pressure of about 10 bar to about 30 bar. First vessel  11  may be designed to maintain an internal pressure of about 10 bar to about 15 bar. First vessel  11  may be designed to maintain an internal pressure of about 15 bar to about 27 bar. First vessel  11  may be designed to maintain an internal pressure of about 20 bar to about 27 bar. First vessel  11  may be designed to leak or vent before burst. 
     First vessel  11  may be configured to receive gas clathrates as a solid and/or as a slurry. Alternatively, first vessel  11  may be configured to receive at least one gas and the host material and form the gas clathrates within the first vessel  11 . 
     Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain a lower pressure in the second vessel  21  than the pressure maintained in the first vessel  11 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, separation system  20  may be configured to maintain a pressure in the second vessel  21  sufficient to dissociate at least some of the gas clathrates into at least one gas and host material, but still maintain a pressure greater than the pressure required for delivering the at least one gas as fuel to a prime mover utilizing the vehicle fuel system  100 . 
     Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain an internal pressure in the second vessel of about ambient pressure to about 30 bar. Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain an internal pressure in the second vessel of about 5 bar to about 20 bar. Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain an internal pressure in the second vessel of about 10 bar to about 15 bar. Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain an internal pressure in the second vessel of about ambient pressure to about 10 bar. Separation system  20  may be configured to maintain an internal pressure in the second vessel of about ambient pressure. Second vessel  21  may be designed to leak or vent before burst. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates optional additional components and systems of vehicle fuel system  100 . 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first refrigeration system  12  in communication with first vessel  11 . First refrigeration system  12  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of the first vessel  11  within a desired set range. 
     First refrigeration system  12  may releasably surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the first vessel  11 . Alternatively, the first refrigeration system  12  may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the first vessel  11 , including an outer and/or an inner surface. 
     First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a heat pipe. First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a vapor compression system. The vapor compression system may utilize a chlorofluorocarbon, a chlorofluoroolefin, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrochloro-fluoroolefin, a hydrofluoroolefin, a hydrochloroolefin, a hydroolefin, a hydrocarbon, a perfluoroolefin, a perfluorocarbon, a perchloroolefin, a perchlorocarbon, and/or a halon. First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a vapor absorption system. The vapor absorption system may utilize water, ammonia, and/or lithium bromide. First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a gas cycle refrigeration system, such as one that utilizes air. First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a stirling cycle refrigeration system. The stirling cycle refrigeration system may utilize helium. The stirling cycle refrigeration system may comprise a free piston stirling cooler. First refrigeration system  12  may comprise a thermoelectric refrigeration system. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first pressurizing device  13  operably connected to the first vessel  11  and configured to maintain pressure within the first vessel  11 . First pressurizing device  13  may comprise a moveable press integrated with the first vessel  11 , wherein the moveable press is configured to maintain pressure within the first vessel  11 . Examples of a moveable press include, but are not limited to, a hydraulic press. First pressurizing device  13  may comprise a compressor. Examples of a compressor include, but are not limited to, a centrifugal compressor, a mixed-flow compressor, an axial-flow compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary screw compressor, a rotary vane compressor, a scroll compressor, and a diaphragm compressor. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first pressure monitoring device  14  operably connected to the first vessel  11  and configured to monitor the internal pressure of the first vessel  11 . First pressure monitoring device  14  may comprises a piezoresistive strain gauge, a capacitive sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, a potentiometric sensor, a thermal conductivity sensor, and/or an ionization sensor. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first heating system  15  configured and located to impart heat energy to the first vessel  11 . First heating system  15  may be configured to transfer heat energy from the coolant used to cool the prime mover of the vehicle. Likewise, first heating system  15  may be configured to transfer heat energy from heat generated by the prime mover of the vehicle in any fashion, such as from an exhaust stream generated by the prime mover of the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition thereto, first heating system  15  may utilize solar energy, ambient temperatures, electric resistance heating elements and/or dielectric heating to impart heat energy to the first vessel  11 . 
     First heating system  15  may be located external to the first vessel  11 . First heating system  15  may be located internally within the first vessel  11 . First heating system  15  may be integrated into a portion of a surface of the first vessel  11 , including external or internal surfaces. First heating system  15  may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the first vessel  11 , such as the outer surface. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first temperature monitoring system  16  configured to monitor the internal temperature of the first vessel  11 . First temperature monitoring system  16  may comprise a thermostat, a thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or a resistive temperature detector. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first pressure relief device  17  operably connected to the first vessel  11  and configured to reduce pressure within the first vessel  11 . Examples of a first pressure relief device  17  include, but are not limited to, a pressure relief valve and a rupture disc. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a first emergency cooling system  18  configured to rapidly cool the first vessel  11 . 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  10  may further comprise a cooling control system configured to receive inputs from first pressure monitoring device  14  and/or first temperature monitoring system  16 . The cooling control system may be configured to control first pressurizing device  13  and/or first heating system  15 , such that it regulates at least one of pressure and temperature in order to maintain the gas clathrates within first vessel  11  in a clathrate stability range. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second refrigeration system  22  in communication with second vessel  21 . Second refrigeration system  22  may be configured to maintain an internal temperature of the second vessel  21  within a desired set range. 
     Second refrigeration system  22  may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the second vessel  21 , including an outer and/or an inner surface. 
     Second refrigeration system  22  may comprise a vapor compression system. The vapor compression system may utilize a chlorofluorocarbon, a chlorofluoroolefin, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrochloro-fluoroolefin, a hydrofluoroolefin, a hydrochloroolefin, a hydroolefin, a hydrocarbon, a perfluoroolefin, a perfluorocarbon, a perchloroolefin, a perchlorocarbon, and/or a halon. Second refrigeration system  22  may comprise a vapor absorption system. The vapor absorption system may utilize water, ammonia, and/or lithium bromide. Second refrigeration system  22  may comprise a gas cycle refrigeration system, such as one that utilizes air. Second refrigeration system  22  may comprise a stirling cycle refrigeration system. The stirling cycle refrigeration system may utilize helium. The stirling cycle refrigeration system may comprise a free piston stirling cooler. Second refrigeration system  22  may comprise a thermoelectric refrigeration system. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise second pressurizing device  23  operably connected to the second vessel  21  and configured to maintain pressure within the second vessel  21 . Second pressurizing device  23  may comprise a moveable press integrated with the second vessel  21 , wherein the moveable press is configured to maintain pressure within the second vessel  21 . Examples of a moveable press include, but are not limited to, a hydraulic press. Second pressurizing device  23  may comprise a compressor. Examples of a compressor include, but are not limited to, a centrifugal compressor, a mixed-flow compressor, an axial-flow compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary screw compressor, a rotary vane compressor, a scroll compressor, and a diaphragm compressor. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second pressure monitoring device  24  operably connected to the second vessel  21  and configured to monitor the internal pressure of the second vessel  21 . Second pressure monitoring device  24  may comprises a piezoresistive strain gauge, a capacitive sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, a potentiometric sensor, a thermal conductivity sensor, and/or an ionization sensor. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second heating system  25  configured and located to impart heat energy to the second vessel  21 . Second heating system  25  may be configured to transfer heat energy from the coolant used to cool the prime mover of the vehicle. Likewise, second heating system  25  may be configured to transfer heat energy from heat generated by the prime mover of the vehicle in any fashion, such as from an exhaust stream generated by the prime mover of the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition thereto, second heating system  25  may utilize solar energy, ambient temperatures, electric resistance heating elements and/or dielectric heating to impart heat energy to the second vessel  21 . 
     Second heating system  25  may be located external to the second vessel  21 . Second heating system  25  may be located internally within the second vessel  21 . Second heating system  25  may be integrated into a portion of a surface of the second vessel  21 , including external or internal surfaces. Second heating system  25  may be attached to at least a portion of a surface of the second vessel  21 , such as the outer surface. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a heat pipe, either as part of second refrigeration system  22  and/or second heating system  25  or separate therefrom. The heat pipe may be configured and located to control the temperature of the second vessel  21 . 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second temperature monitoring system  26  configured to monitor the internal temperature of the second vessel  21 . Second temperature monitoring system  26  may comprise a thermostat, a thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or a resistive temperature detector. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second pressure relief device  27  operably connected to the second vessel  21  and configured to reduce pressure within the second vessel  21 . Examples of a second pressure relief device  27  include, but are not limited to, a pressure relief valve and a rupture disc. 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a second emergency cooling system  28  configured to rapidly cool the second vessel  21 . 
     Separation system  20  may further comprise a pressure reducing valve operably connected to the first vessel  11  and the second vessel  21 , wherein the pressure reducing valve is configured to reduce the pressure of gas clathrates discharged from the first vessel  11  to the desired pressure of the second vessel  21 . 
     Separation system  20  may be configured to receive a continuous supply of gas clathrates while a vehicle utilizing vehicle fuel system  100  is operating. Alternatively, separation system  20  may be configured to periodically receive a batch of gas clathrates while a vehicle utilizing vehicle fuel system  100  is operating. Furthermore, separation system  20  may be configured to receive a variable supply of gas clathrates based on fuel requirements of the prime mover of the vehicle utilizing the vehicle fuel system  100 . 
     Separation system  20  may be configured to control the rate of dissociation of the gas clathrates based on fuel requirements of the prime mover of the vehicle utilizing the vehicle fuel system  100 , such as by regulating at least one of the temperature and the pressure of the gas clathrates within the second vessel  21 . 
     Second vessel  21  may comprises a chamber configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and host material. Alternatively or in addition thereto, second vessel  21  may comprises a conduit configured to continuously dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and host material. 
     Second vessel  21  may comprise a host material outlet configured for removing the host material from the second vessel  21 . The host material outlet may be configured to periodically or continuously drain the host material from the second vessel  21  and remove the host material from the vehicle fuel system  100 . The host material outlet may be configured to release the host material to an environment outside of a vehicle utilizing vehicle fuel system  100 . 
     Vehicle fuel system  100  may further comprise a first transport device  39  operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  10  and operably connected to the separation system  20 . The first transport device  39  may be configured to transfer gas clathrates from the vehicle fuel storage system  10  to the separation system  20 . First transport device  39  may be configured to transport the gas clathrates as a slurry and/or as a solid, such as solid chunks or pellets. 
     First transport device  39  may be at least partially located internally within the first vessel  11 . Likewise, the first transport device  39  may be at least partially external to the first vessel  11 . Accordingly, first transport device  39  may be at least partially integrated into a portion of a surface, including an internal or external surface, of the first vessel  11 . Additionally, the first transport device  39  may be at least partially integrated into a portion of a surface, including an internal or external surface, of the second vessel  21 . Likewise, first transport device  39  may be at least partially internal and/or external to the second vessel  21 . 
     First transport device  39  may be configured for moving solid gas clathrate. First transport device  39  may be configured for moving gas clathrate slurry. First transport device  39  may be configured to be hydraulically, mechanically, and/or electrically actuated. 
     First transport device  39  may comprise an auger, a grinder, an extruder, and/or a first pump. When first transport device  39  comprises a first pump, the inlet of the first pump may be operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  10  and an outlet of the first pump may be operably connected to the separation system  20 . Examples of the first pump include, but are not limited to, a positive displacement pump, a lobe pump, an external gear pump, an internal gear pump, a peristaltic pump, a screw pump, a progressive cavity pump, a flexible impeller pump, a rotary vane pump, and a centrifugal pump. The first pump may be any pump compatible with pumping a gas clathrate slurry. 
     First transport device  39  may comprise a gravity feed device for use in embodiments where a portion of the first vessel  11  is higher than a portion of the second vessel  21 . The gravity feed device may comprise a port, a tube, a pipe, a channel, a valve, a check valve, or similar feed conduits. First transport device  39  may comprise a conduit (such as a port a tube, a pipe, a valve, a check valve, or a channel) in embodiments where the pressure in first vessel  11  is higher than the pressure in second vessel  21 . First transport device  39  may comprise a moveable surface. The moveable surface may comprise a conveyor belt configured to receive a coating of the gas clathrates from the vehicle fuel storage system  10  and configured to at least partially discharge at least one gas within the second vessel  21 . For example, the moveable surface may comprise a rotating drum configured to receive a coating of the gas clathrates within first vessel  11  and at least partially discharge at least one gas within the second vessel  11 . In another example, the moveable surface may comprise a string configured with beads of gas clathrates that may be conveyed from the first vessel  11  to the second vessel  21 . In another example, the moveable surface may comprise a rotating disk configured to receive a coating of the gas clathrates within first vessel  11  and at least partially discharge at least one gas within the second vessel  11 . 
     Vehicle fuel system  100  may further comprise a recycle system  40  configured to return host material from separation system  20  to vehicle fuel storage system  10 . Accordingly, vehicle fuel storage system  10  may be configured to utilize at least a portion of the returned host material to fluidize the gas clathrates stored in the first vessel  11 . The recycle system  40  may comprises a third vessel  41  configured to store host material removed from second vessel  21 . 
     The recycle system  40  may further comprise a second transport device  49  configured to transport host material from the second vessel  21  to the third vessel  41 . Alternatively, second transport device  49  may be configured to transport host material from the second vessel  21  directly to the first vessel  11 . Second transport device  49  may be configured to transport the host material as a slurry or as a liquid. 
     The second transport device  49  may be located internally within the second vessel  21 , may be integrated into a portion of a surface, including an internal or external surface, of the second vessel  21 , or may be external to the second vessel  21 . Second transport device  49  may be configured to be hydraulically, mechanically, and/or electrically actuated. 
     Second transport device  49  may comprise a gravity feed device for use in embodiments where a portion of the second vessel  21  is higher than a portion of the first vessel  11 . The gravity feed device may comprise a port, a pipe, a channel, a valve, a check valve, or similar feed conduits. The second transport device  49  may comprise an auger, grinder, and/or second pump. When second transport device  49  comprises a second pump, the inlet of the second pump may be operably connected to the separation system  20  and an outlet of the second pump may be operably connected to vehicle fuel storage system  10 . Examples of the second pump include, but are not limited to, a positive displacement pump, a lobe pump, an external gear pump, an internal gear pump, a peristaltic pump, a screw pump, a progressive cavity pump, a flexible impeller pump, a rotary vane pump, and a centrifugal pump. The second pump may be any pump compatible with pumping liquid or slurry host material. 
     Alternatively or in addition to recycle system  40 , second vessel  21  may be configured to temporarily store at least a portion of dissociated host material. 
     The vehicle fuel system  100  may further comprise delivery system  50  configured to deliver gas dissociated from gas clathrates within first vessel  11  and second vessel  21  to the prime mover of a vehicle utilizing vehicle fuel system  100 . 
     Delivery system  50  may comprise a gas storage vessel  51  configured to store dissociated gas removed from the second vessel  21 . Second vessel  21  may comprise a gas outlet configured for removing dissociated at least one gas from the second vessel  21 . The gas storage vessel  51  may be operably connected to the gas outlet of second vessel  21  and operably connected to the prime mover. 
     Delivery system  50  may further comprise a metering system  52  configured to control introduction of stored gas to the prime mover. Metering system  52  may comprise a control valve operably connected to the gas storage vessel  51  and to the prime mover. The control valve may be configured to control release of stored gas from the gas storage vessel  51 . Metering system  52  may further comprise a gas flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of the stored gas released from the gas storage vessel  51 . 
     Delivery system  50  may comprise a third transport device  59  configured to transport gas from the separation system to the prime mover of a vehicle. The third transport device may be configured to control the transport of the gas based on the fuel requirements of the prime mover. The third transport device  59  may comprise a compressor. Examples of a compressor include, but are not limited to, a centrifugal compressor, a mixed-flow compressor, an axial-flow compressor, a reciprocating compressor, a rotary screw compressor, a rotary vane compressor, a scroll compressor, and a diaphragm compressor. 
     Third transport device  59  may increase the temperature of the gas transported thereby, such as when the gas is compressed. Accordingly, delivery system  50  may further comprise a cooling device  53  configured to reduce the temperature of dissociated at least one gas prior to introduction of the gas into the prime mover. 
     Cooling device  53  may comprise a heat exchanger configured to be cooled by ambient air, such as a heat exchanger comprising cooling fins. Cooling device  53  may comprise a heat exchanger configured to be cooled by a coolant also used to cool the prime mover. Cooling device  53  may comprise a heat exchanger configured to impart heat to the second vessel  21  to cool the heat exchanger. In such embodiments, cooling device  53  may be at least partially integrated into a surface, including an internal or external surface, of the second vessel  21 . Cooling device  53  may comprise a heat exchanger configured to be cooled by dissociated host material. Cooling device  53  may comprise a heat exchanger configured to be cooled by gas clathrates either stored by first vessel  11  or being transported by first transport device  39 . For example, the heat exchanger may be at least partially integrated with the first transport device  39 . Cooling device  53  may comprise a refrigerated coil configured to cool the dissociated at least one gas. 
     Dissociated gas may comprise more water vapor than can be tolerated by the prime mover of a vehicle utilizing vehicle fuel system  100 . Therefore, delivery system  50  may further comprise a moisture-removal system  54  configured to remove water from dissociated gas. Moisture-removal system  54  may comprise a dehumidifier, a dryer, and/or a molecular sieve column. 
     Moisture-removal system  54  may be integrated internally within the second vessel  21  or may be located external to the second vessel  21 . Moisture-removal system  54  may be integrated into a portion of a surface, including an internal or external surface, of the second vessel  21 . 
     Gas storage vessel  51 , metering system  52 , cooling device  53 , moisture-removal system  54 , and third transport device  59  of delivery system  50  may be combined in any order. Additionally, any or all of the components of delivery system  50  may not be present. 
     In some embodiments, a portion of the gas clathrates stored in first vessel  11  will dissociate within first vessel  11 . Additionally, gas may be stored in first vessel  11  that never associated into clathrates with host material. In such embodiments, the first vessel  11  comprises a gas outlet configured and located for removing gas from the first vessel  11 . The gas outlet of the first vessel  11  may be operably connected to gas storage vessel  51 . Alternatively, the gas outlet of the first vessel  11  may be operably connected to the second vessel  21  and any gas present in first vessel  11  conveyed to second vessel  21 . 
     In some embodiments, the first vessel  11  may be configured to be readily and easily removed from a vehicle and configured to be readily and easily reattached to a vehicle. In such embodiments, second vessel  21  may not be present, but instead the functionality of separation system  20  may be integrated with vehicle fuel storage system  10 , such that the gas clathrates are dissociated within first vessel  11 . 
     In some embodiments, the first vessel  11  may be configured to facilitate gas clathrate formation by agitating the gas and host material. First vessel  11  may be configured to agitate the gas and host material at a first temperature and a first pressure compatible with forming the gas clathrates. First vessel  11  may comprise a mixing element located within the first vessel  11  that is configured to agitate the gas and host material. First vessel  11  may further be configured to agitate formed gas clathrates at a second temperature and a second pressure compatible with dissociating the gas clathrates back into the gas and host material for delivery to the prime mover of a vehicle. In such embodiments, second vessel  21  may not be present, but instead the functionality of separation system  20  may be integrated with vehicle fuel storage system  10 . 
     This disclosure also provides a vehicle comprising the vehicle fuel system  100  and a prime mover configured to utilize dissociated gas to generate power. The prime mover may comprise an internal combustion engine, an external combustion engine, or a fuel cell. In some embodiments, the exhaust stream of the prime mover is condensed to transfer heat energy to the second vessel  21 . 
     This disclosure also provides a method of powering a vehicle, where the method comprises providing a vehicle fuel storage system comprising a first vessel configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. The method further comprises discharging a portion of the gas clathrates from the first vessel and then generating heat from combusting the discharged gas clathrates. The method further comprises converting the generated heat into mechanical work and utilizing the mechanical work to power the drive train of a vehicle. The combustion may be conducted in an engine configured to convert the generated heat from combustion into the mechanical work. 
     This disclosure also provides a vehicle comprising an engine configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source.  FIG. 3  illustrates a vehicle  200  comprising a vehicle fuel storage system  110  comprising a first vessel  111  configured to receive, store, and discharge gas clathrates. Vehicle  200  further comprises an engine  160  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. 
     Engine  160  may be configured to receive gas clathrates as a solid, such as in chunks, pellets, flakes, and/or pulverized particles, and/or as a slurry. 
     Engine  160  may comprise an internal or external combustion engine. Engine  160  may be configured to recover energy due to recondensation of vaporized clathrate host material. The energy may be recovered within an exhaust system of engine  160  or within a cylinder of engine  160 . Engine  160  may be configured to supply at least a portion of the thermal energy recovered from the engine  160  to the first vessel  111 . 
     Engine  160  may comprise a two-stroke engine. Engine  160  may comprise a four-stroke engine. For example, the four-stroke engine may comprise pistons configured for reciprocation or may comprises a pistonless rotary engine. The four-stroke engine may comprise an injector configured to spray liquified gas clathrates into a combustion chamber of the four-stroke engine. The gas clathrates may be liquified either before introduction to the injector or may be liquified within the injector. Engine  160  may also comprise a six-stroke engine. 
     Engine  160  may also comprise any of the engines discussed below regarding  FIGS. 4-8 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an engine  300  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. Engine  300  is a two-stroke engine. Engine  300  comprises an intake port  310  configured to receive gas clathrates. Engine  300  further comprises a crankcase  320  in fluidic communication with the intake port  310 . Crankcase  320  is operably sized and configured to receive the gas clathrates in sequence with rotation of a crankshaft  325  rotatably engaged within the crankcase  320 . Crankcase  320  is configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and host material within crankcase  320 . Engine  300  further comprises a combustion chamber  330  in fluidic communication with the crankcase  320  and configured to combust the at least one gas dissociated within crankcase  320 . Engine  300  further comprises a piston  340  slidably engaged within the combustion chamber  330  and operably connected to the crankshaft  325 . Engine  300  further comprises an exhaust port  350  operably connected to the combustion chamber  330  and configured to remove combustion products from the combustion chamber  330  in sequence with movement of the piston  340 . 
     Crankcase  320  may be further configured to at least partially vaporize the host material, such that the vaporized host material is transported with the dissociated gas into the combustion chamber  330 . Combustion chamber  33  and/or the exhaust port  350  may be configured to remove vaporized host material from the combustion chamber  330 , including any host material that may have recondensed within combustion chamber  330 . 
     Engine  300  may be configured to transfer at least a portion of heat energy from the exhaust stream of the engine  300  to the crankcase  320 . For example, engine  300  may comprise a heat exchanger operably connected with the exhaust port  350  and operably connected with at least a portion of a surface, such as an external surface, of the crankcase  320 . The heat exchanger may be configured to transfer at least a portion of the heat energy from the exhaust stream to the surface of the crankcase  320 . 
     The intake port  310  may also be configured to receive an oxygen supply in addition to receiving gas clathrates. The oxygen supply may comprise air and/or pure oxygen. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, engine  300  may further comprise a second intake port configured to receive the oxygen supply, but not the gas clathrates. The second intake port may be configured for fluidic communication with the crankcase  320 . 
     Engine  300  may further comprise an oil reservoir and oil pump located external to the crankcase  320  and configured to provide lubricating oil to moving parts within the crankcase  320  and the combustion chamber  330 . Engine  300  may be configured to combust the lubricating oil. 
     Any variation of a two-stroke engine that is known in the art and is compatible with direct utilization of gas clathrates as fuel may be used. For example, intake port  310  may be configured and located for piston control of engine  300 . In another example, engine  300  may further comprise a reed inlet valve configured for fluidic communication with the intake port  310 . For example, engine  300  may comprise a bourke engine. In other examples, engine  300  may be configured for cross-flow scavenging, loop scavenging, or uni-flow scavenging. Engine  300  may further comprise an exhaust port timing valve in fluidic communication with the exhaust port  350 . Engine  300  may further comprise a valve in fluidic communication with the exhaust port  350 , where the valve is configured to alter the volume of combustion products removed via the exhaust port  350 . 
     The combustion chamber  330  may comprise a cylinder configured for operable connection with the piston  330 , wherein the piston  330  is located within the cylinder. Engine  300  may be configured to transfer at least a portion of the heat energy from the cylinder to the crankcase  320 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an engine  400  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. Engine  400  is an alpha configuration stirling engine. Engine  400  comprises a hot cylinder  410  and a first piston  420  slidably engaged within the hot cylinder  410 . Engine  400  further comprises a flywheel  430  operably connected to the first piston  420 . Engine  400  further comprises a cool cylinder  440  and a second piston  450  slidably engaged within the cool cylinder  440 . The second piston  450  is operably connected to the flywheel  430 . Engine  400  further comprises a regenerator  460  configured to fluidically connect a working fluid within the hot cylinder  410  and the cool cylinder  440  and configured to transfer heat to and from the working fluid as the fluids is shuttled back and forth between hot cylinder  410  and cool cylinder  440 . Engine  400  further comprises a combustion chamber  470  configured to combust the gas clathrates and supply heat to the hot cylinder  410 . 
     Combustion chamber  470  may be operably connected to a vehicle fuel storage system, such as vehicle fuel storage system  110  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Any variation of an alpha configuration stirling engine that is known in the art and is compatible with direct utilization of gas clathrates as fuel may be used. For example, cool cylinder  440  may be configured with cooling fins designed to radiate heat away from the cool cylinder  440  and/or cool cylinder  440  may be configured for liquid cooling. In another example, at least a portion of the hot cylinder  410  may be located within the combustion chamber  470 . In yet another example, engine  400  may be configured to utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  470  to heat at least a portion of the hot cylinder  410 . Likewise, any working fluid known in the art for a stirling engine may be used, such as, by way on non-limiting example, air, hydrogen, helium, and/or nitrogen. 
     Engine  400  may be configured to further utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  470  to impart heat to the gas clathrate storage vessel, such as the first vessel  111  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Combustion chamber  470  may be configured to substantially vaporize any host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  470 , or some other components of engine  400 , may be configured to substantially recondense any vaporized host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  470  may be configured to melt, but not vaporize, at least a portion of the host material. 
     Combustion chamber  470  may be configured to utilize pulverized gas clathrate solids blown into the combustion chamber  470 . Combustion chamber  470  may be configured to utilize solid gas clathrate chunks, pellets, and/or flakes. Combustion chamber  470  may be configured to utilize gas clathrates as a slurry. 
     Combustion chamber  470  may comprises a grate configured to hold the gas clathrates during combustion of dissociated gas. The grate may be configured to allow liquid host material to drip through the grate. The liquid host material may collect below the grate. The grate may be configured to be stationary. Alternatively, the grate may be configured to rotate at least partially within the combustion chamber  470 . Combustion chamber  470  may be operably connected to a stoker configured to feed gas clathrate solids onto at least a portion of the grate. 
     Combustion chamber  470  may comprise an outlet configured to remove collected host material from the combustion chamber  470 . Engine  400  may further comprise a drain system fluidically connected to the outlet. The drain system may be configured to release the collected host material to the environment. Alternatively, the drain system may be fluidically connected to a host material storage tank configured to store the collected host material. Engine  400  may further comprise a cooling system fluidically connected to the outlet and configured to use the collected host material to cool the cool cylinder  440 . 
     Engine  400  may further comprise an oxygen supply device operably connected to the combustion chamber  470  and configured to supply oxygen to the combustion chamber  470 . The oxygen supply device may be configured to supply air to the combustion chamber  470 , such as by blowing atmospheric air into the combustion chamber  470 . Alternatively or in addition thereto, the oxygen supply device may comprise an oxygen tank and may be configured to provide pressurized oxygen to the combustion chamber  470 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an engine  500  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. Engine  500  is a beta configuration stirling engine. Engine  500  comprises a cylinder  505  comprising a hot end  510  configured to transfer heat during operation to a working fluid within the cylinder  505  and comprising a cool end  540  configured to remove heat from the working fluid. Engine  500  further comprises a displacer piston  520  slidably engaged within the cylinder  505  and configured to move the working fluid back and forth between the hot end  510  and the cold end  540  during operation. The displacer piston  520  is operably connected to a flywheel  530 . Engine  500  further comprises a working piston  550  slidably engaged within the cylinder  505  and operably connected to the flywheel  530 . Engine  500  further comprises a combustion chamber  570  configured to combust the gas clathrates and supply heat to the hot end  510 . 
     Combustion chamber  570  may be operably connected to a vehicle fuel storage system, such as vehicle fuel storage system  110  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Any variation of a beta configuration stirling engine that is known in the art and is compatible with direct utilization of gas clathrates as fuel may be used. For example, engine  500  may comprise a regenerator fluidically connected to the hot end  510  and to the cool end  540  of the cylinder  505 . The regenerator may be configured to transfer heat to and from the working fluid within the cylinder  505 . In another example, cool end  540  may be configured with cooling fins designed to radiate heat away from the cool end  540  and/or cool cylinder  540  may be configured for liquid cooling. In another example, at least a portion of the hot end  510  may be located within the combustion chamber  570 . In yet another example, engine  500  may be configured to utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  570  to heat at least a portion of the hot end  510 . Likewise, any working fluid known in the art for a stirling engine may be used, such as, by way on non-limiting example, air, hydrogen, helium, and/or nitrogen. 
     Engine  500  may be configured to further utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  570  to impart heat to the gas clathrate storage vessel, such as the first vessel  111  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Combustion chamber  570  may be configured to substantially vaporize any host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  570 , or some other components of engine  500 , may be configured to substantially recondense any vaporized host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  570  may be configured to melt, but not vaporize, at least a portion of the host material. 
     Combustion chamber  570  may be configured to utilize pulverized gas clathrate solids blown into the combustion chamber  570 . Combustion chamber  570  may be configured to utilize solid gas clathrate chunks, pellets, and/or flakes. Combustion chamber  570  may be configured to utilize gas clathrates as a slurry. 
     Combustion chamber  570  may comprises a grate configured to hold the gas clathrates during combustion of dissociated gas. The grate may be configured to allow liquid host material to drip through the grate. The liquid host material may collect below the grate. The grate may be configured to be stationary. Alternatively, the grate may be configured to rotate at least partially within the combustion chamber  570 . Combustion chamber  570  may be operably connected to a stoker configured to feed gas clathrate solids onto at least a portion of the grate. 
     Combustion chamber  570  may comprise an outlet configured to remove collected host material from the combustion chamber  570 . Engine  500  may further comprise a drain system fluidically connected to the outlet. The drain system may be configured to release the collected host material to the environment. Alternatively, the drain system may be fluidically connected to a host material storage tank configured to store the collected host material. Engine  500  may further comprise a cooling system fluidically connected to the outlet and configured to use the collected host material to cool the cool end  540 . 
     Engine  500  may further comprise an oxygen supply device operably connected to the combustion chamber  570  and configured to supply oxygen to the combustion chamber  570 . The oxygen supply device may be configured to supply air to the combustion chamber  570 , such as by blowing atmospheric air into the combustion chamber  570 . Alternatively or in addition thereto, the oxygen supply device may comprise an oxygen tank and may be configured to provide pressurized oxygen to the combustion chamber  570 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an engine  600  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. Engine  600  is a gamma configuration stirling engine. Engine  600  comprises a hot cylinder  610  and a displacer piston  620  slidably engaged within the hot cylinder  610 . The displacer piston is operably connected to a flywheel  630 . Engine  600  further comprises a cool cylinder  640  and a second piston  650  slidably engaged within the cool cylinder  640 . The second piston is operably connected to the flywheel  630 . Engine  600  further comprises a combustion chamber  670  configured to combust the gas clathrates and supply heat to the hot cylinder  610 . 
     Combustion chamber  670  may be operably connected to a vehicle fuel storage system, such as vehicle fuel storage system  110  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Any variation of a gamma configuration stirling engine that is known in the art and is compatible with direct utilization of gas clathrates as fuel may be used. For example, engine  600  may comprise a regenerator fluidically connected to the hot cylinder  610  and to the cool cylinder  640 . The regenerator may be configured to transfer heat to and from the working fluid within hot cylinder  610  and cool cylinder  640 . In another example, cool cylinder  640  may be configured with cooling fins designed to radiate heat away from the cool cylinder  640  and/or cool cylinder  640  may be configured for liquid cooling. In another example, at least a portion of the hot cylinder  610  may be located within the combustion chamber  670 . In yet another example, engine  600  may be configured to utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  670  to heat at least a portion of the hot cylinder  610 . Likewise, any working fluid known in the art for a stirling engine may be used, such as, by way on non-limiting example, air, hydrogen, helium, and/or nitrogen. 
     Engine  600  may be configured to further utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  670  to impart heat to the gas clathrate storage vessel, such as the first vessel  111  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Combustion chamber  670  may be configured to substantially vaporize any host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  670 , or some other components of engine  600 , may be configured to substantially recondense any vaporized host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  670  may be configured to melt, but not vaporize, at least a portion of the host material. 
     Combustion chamber  670  may be configured to utilize pulverized gas clathrate solids blown into the combustion chamber  670 . Combustion chamber  670  may be configured to utilize solid gas clathrate chunks, pellets, and/or flakes. Combustion chamber  670  may be configured to utilize gas clathrates as a slurry. 
     Combustion chamber  670  may comprises a grate configured to hold the gas clathrates during combustion of dissociated gas. The grate may be configured to allow liquid host material to drip through the grate. The liquid host material may collect below the grate. The grate may be configured to be stationary. Alternatively, the grate may be configured to rotate at least partially within the combustion chamber  670 . Combustion chamber  670  may be operably connected to a stoker configured to feed gas clathrate solids onto at least a portion of the grate. 
     Combustion chamber  670  may comprise an outlet configured to remove collected host material from the combustion chamber  670 . Engine  600  may further comprise a drain system fluidically connected to the outlet. The drain system may be configured to release the collected host material to the environment. Alternatively, the drain system may be fluidically connected to a host material storage tank configured to store the collected host material. Engine  600  may further comprise a cooling system fluidically connected to the outlet and configured to use the collected host material to cool the cool cylinder  640 . 
     Engine  600  may further comprise an oxygen supply device operably connected to the combustion chamber  670  and configured to supply oxygen to the combustion chamber  670 . The oxygen supply device may be configured to supply air to the combustion chamber  670 , such as by blowing atmospheric air into the combustion chamber  670 . Alternatively or in addition thereto, the oxygen supply device may comprise an oxygen tank and may be configured to provide pressurized oxygen to the combustion chamber  670 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an engine  700  configured to directly utilize gas clathrates as a fuel source. Engine  700  is a double-acting configuration stirling engine coupled to a swash plate to generate rotary motion. Engine  700  comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, four cylinders  705   a ,  705   b ,  705   c , and  705   d . Each of the cylinders comprises a hot end  710   a ,  710   b ,  710   c , and  710   d , respectively, configured to transfer heat during operation to a working fluid within each of cylinder. Each of the cylinders comprises a cool end  740   a ,  740   b ,  740   c  (not shown), and  740   d , respectively, configured to remove heat from the working fluid. 
     Engine  700  further comprises multiple conduits  780   a ,  780   b ,  780   c  (not shown), and  780   d , respectively. Each conduit fluidically connects one hot end of a cylinder with one cool end of a different cylinder. For example, conduit  780   a  connects hot end  710   a  with cool end  740   c  (not shown). Conduit  780   b  connects hot end  710   b  with cool end  740   a . Conduit  780   c  connects hot end  710   c  with cool end  740   d . Conduit  780   d  connects hot end  710   d  with cool end  740   b . In this way, the working fluid within each cylinder is in fluidic communication with the working fluid within each of the other cylinders. Conduit  780   a  includes a regenerator (not shown). Conduit  780   b  includes a regenerator  760   b . Conduit  780   c  includes a regenerator (not shown). Conduit  780   d  includes a regenerator  760   d . Each of the regenerators is configured to transfer heat to and from the working fluid as it shuttles within the respective conduit. 
     Engine  700  further comprises multiple pistons. Each of cylinders  705   a ,  705   b ,  705   c , and  705   d  house a piston  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c  (not shown), and  720   d , respectively, slidably engaged within each cylinder. Each of pistons  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c , and  720   d  is operably connected to a single swash plate  790 . Reciprocating motion of pistons  720   a ,  720   b ,  720   c , and  720   d  translates into rotary motion of the swash plate  790 . Swash plate  790  is operably connected to rotatable shaft  795 . Rotatable shaft  795  may in turn be connected to drive components of a vehicle, such as vehicle  200  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Engine  700  further comprises a combustion chamber  770  configured to combust the gas clathrates and supply heat to each of the hot ends  710   a ,  710   b ,  710   c , and  710   d.    
     Combustion chamber  770  may be operably connected to a vehicle fuel storage system, such as vehicle fuel storage system  110  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Any variation of a double-acting stirling engine that is known in the art and is compatible with direct utilization of gas clathrates as fuel may be used. For example, engine  700  may comprise more or less cylinders. In another example, each of cool ends  740   a ,  740   b ,  740   c , and  740   d  may be configured with cooling fins designed to radiate heat away from itself and/or may be configured for liquid cooling. In another example, at least a portion of each of the hot ends  710   a ,  710   b ,  710   c , and  710   d  may be located within the combustion chamber  770 . In yet another example, engine  700  may be configured to utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  770  to heat at least a portion of each of the hot ends  710   a ,  710   b ,  710   c , and  710   d . Likewise, any working fluid known in the art for a stirling engine may be used, such as, by way on non-limiting example, air, hydrogen, helium, and/or nitrogen. 
     Engine  700  may be configured to further utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber  770  to impart heat to the gas clathrate storage vessel, such as the first vessel  111  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Combustion chamber  770  may be configured to substantially vaporize any host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  770 , or some other components of engine  700 , may be configured to substantially recondense any vaporized host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. Combustion chamber  770  may be configured to melt, but not vaporize, at least a portion of the host material. 
     Combustion chamber  770  may be configured to utilize pulverized gas clathrate solids blown into the combustion chamber  770 . Combustion chamber  770  may be configured to utilize solid gas clathrate chunks, pellets, and/or flakes. Combustion chamber  770  may be configured to utilize gas clathrates as a slurry. 
     Combustion chamber  770  may comprises a grate configured to hold the gas clathrates during combustion of dissociated gas. The grate may be configured to allow liquid host material to drip through the grate. The liquid host material may collect below the grate. The grate may be configured to be stationary. Alternatively, the grate may be configured to rotate at least partially within the combustion chamber  770 . Combustion chamber  770  may be operably connected to a stoker configured to feed gas clathrate solids onto at least a portion of the grate. 
     Combustion chamber  770  may comprise an outlet configured to remove collected host material from the combustion chamber  770 . Engine  700  may further comprise a drain system fluidically connected to the outlet. The drain system may be configured to release the collected host material to the environment. Alternatively, the drain system may be fluidically connected to a host material storage tank configured to store the collected host material. Engine  700  may further comprise a cooling system fluidically connected to the outlet and configured to use the collected host material to cool each of the cool ends  740   a ,  740   b ,  740   c , and  740   d.    
     Engine  700  may further comprise an oxygen supply device operably connected to the combustion chamber  770  and configured to supply oxygen to the combustion chamber  770 . The oxygen supply device may be configured to supply air to the combustion chamber  770 , such as by blowing atmospheric air into the combustion chamber  770 . Alternatively or in addition thereto, the oxygen supply device may comprise an oxygen tank and may be configured to provide pressurized oxygen to the combustion chamber  770 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , engine  160  may also comprise a steam engine. The steam engine may comprise a boiler operably connected to a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  110 . The combustion chamber may be configured to combust the gas clathrates and also configured to supply heat to the boiler. 
     The boiler may comprise any boiler compatible with automotive use. For example, the boiler may comprise a fire-tube boiler, a water-tube boiler, or a fluidized bed combustion boiler. At least a portion of the boiler may be located within the combustion chamber. 
     The steam engine may be configured to further utilize heat energy from the exhaust stream from the combustion chamber to impart heat to the first vessel  111 . 
     The combustion chamber may be configured to substantially vaporize any host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. The combustion chamber, or some other components of the steam engine, may be configured to substantially recondense any vaporized host material dissociated from the gas clathrates. The combustion chamber may be configured to melt, but not vaporize, at least a portion of the host material. 
     The combustion chamber may be configured to utilize pulverized gas clathrate solids blown into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be configured to utilize solid gas clathrate chunks, pellets, and/or flakes. The combustion chamber may be configured to utilize gas clathrates as a slurry. 
     The combustion chamber may comprise a grate configured to hold the gas clathrates during combustion of dissociated gas. The grate may be configured to allow liquid host material to drip through the grate. The liquid host material may collect below the grate. The grate may be configured to be stationary. Alternatively, the grate may be configured to rotate at least partially within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber may be operably connected to a stoker configured to feed gas clathrate solids onto at least a portion of the grate. 
     The combustion chamber may comprise an outlet configured to remove collected host material from the combustion chamber. The steam engine may further comprise a drain system fluidically connected to the outlet. The drain system may be configured to release the collected host material to the environment. Alternatively, the drain system may be fluidically connected to a host material storage tank configured to store the collected host material. 
     The steam engine may further comprise an oxygen supply device operably connected to the combustion chamber and configured to supply oxygen to the combustion chamber. The oxygen supply device may be configured to supply air to the combustion chamber, such as by blowing atmospheric air into the combustion chamber. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the oxygen supply device may comprise an oxygen tank and may be configured to provide pressurized oxygen to the combustion chamber. 
     Turning now to vehicle fuel storage system  110 , vehicle fuel storage system  110  may comprise analogous components and systems to that of vehicle fuel storage system  10 . It should be understood that any disclosure regarding either system may be applicable to the other. It should be understood that any disclosure regarding first vessel  11  may also apply equally to the first vessel  111  and vice versa. 
     First vessel  111  may be configured to maintain a first temperature and a first pressure during storage of the gas clathrates. The first temperature and the first pressure may be compatible with maintaining stability of the gas clathrates, such as those temperatures and pressure discussed above regarding first vessel  11 . The first vessel  111  may also be configured to maintain the first temperature and the first pressure during discharge of the gas clathrates from the first vessel. 
     Vehicle fuel storage system  110  may be configured to discharge the gas clathrates as a solid from the first vessel  111 . The vehicle fuel storage system  110  may be configured to discharge from the first vessel  111  the gas clathrates as a slurry of solid gas clathrate particles within a carrier fluid. The carrier fluid may comprise melted host material. Vehicle  200  may further comprise a filtration device to at least partially prevent introduction of the carrier fluid into the engine  160 . The filtration device may be configured to return at least a portion of the carrier fluid to the first vessel  111 . 
     The vehicle fuel storage system  110  may comprise a metering system configured to control introduction of the gas clathrates to the engine  160 . The metering system may be configured as necessary to handle the gas clathrates as either a solid or a slurry. The metering system may comprise a flow meter configured to measure the flow rate of the gas clathrates discharged from the first vessel  111 . The metering system may also comprise a hopper configured to control the feed rate of the slurry to the engine  160 . 
     The vehicle  200  may further comprise a first transport device operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  110  and operably connected to the metering system. The first transport device may be configured to transfer the gas clathrates from the vehicle fuel storage system  110  to the metering system. It should be understood that this first transport device is analogous to the first transport device  39  of vehicle fuel system  100 . Any disclosure regarding the first transport device  39  and its interactions with the first vessel  11  and the second vessel  21  are applicable to this first transport device and its interactions with first vessel  111  and the metering system. 
     Vehicle  200  may also be configured such that a portion of the gas clathrates are dissociated into gas and host material and the gas delivered to engine  160 . Thus, engine  160  may be configured to utilize both dissociated gas and gas clathrates as a fuel source. In some embodiments, vehicle  200  further comprises a separation system comprising a second vessel operably connected to the vehicle fuel storage system  110 . This separation system may be configured to dissociate the gas clathrates into at least one gas and a host material. The separation system may be operably connected to a delivery system configured to deliver dissociated gas to engine  160 . It should be understood that the separation system and delivery system are analogous to the separation system  20  and delivery system  50  of vehicle fuel system  100 . Any disclosure regarding separation system  20  and delivery system  50  and their interactions with each other, vehicle fuel storage system  10 , and with a prime mover are applicable to this separation system, delivery system, and their interactions with each other and with vehicle fuel storage system  110  and engine  160 . 
     In such embodiments, the separation system may be configured to deliver dissociated gas to engine  160  and the vehicle fuel storage system  110  configured to deliver solid or slurry gas clathrates to engine  160 . Alternatively, vehicle fuel storage system  110  may not deliver any of the gas clathrates to engine  160  and instead the separation system may also deliver solid or slurry gas clathrates to engine  160 . For example, the separation system may comprise a second vessel that comprises a first outlet configured to discharge the dissociated at least one gas and a second outlet configured to discharge the solid or slurry gas clathrate. It should be understood that dissociated gas may also be present in the discharge from such a second outlet. 
     In addition to a separation system or as an alternative thereto, vehicle fuel storage system  110  may be configured to dissociate a portion of the gas clathrates into gas and host material. In such embodiments, vehicle fuel storage system  110  would be configured to both discharge dissociated gas and also gas clathrates as either a solid or slurry. For example, first vessel  111  may be configured to vary the temperature and the pressure of the first vessel  111  to a second temperature and a second pressure during discharge of the gas clathrates such that a portion of the gas clathrates are dissociated into at least one gas and a host material. For example, the second temperature may be about ambient temperature and/or at any temperature that is higher than the operating temperature for storage of the gas clathrates. Alternatively, the second temperature that is about the same as the operating temperature for storage of the gas clathrates, but the second pressure may be a lower pressure than that used for storage. The second temperature and second pressure may be such as those disclosed above regarding second vessel  21 . 
     In such embodiments, vehicle fuel storage system  110  may be configured to deliver to the engine  160  the dissociated gas either separately from the discharged gas clathrates or may deliver the dissociated gas with the discharged gas clathrates. Additionally, dissociated gas may be discharged at the same time or at a different time as the solid or slurry gas clathrates are discharged. Similar to first vessel  11 , first vessel  111  may comprise a gas outlet configured to discharge the dissociated at least one gas and a second outlet configured to discharge the solid or slurry gas clathrate. It should be understood that dissociated gas may also be present in the discharge from such a second outlet. Dissociated host material may serve as a carrier fluid for facilitating discharge of the solid gas clathrates as a slurry. Additionally or alternatively, vehicle fuel storage system  110  may comprise a drain configured to remove at least a portion of dissociated host material from first vessel  110 . 
     In embodiments where dissociated gas is delivered to the engine  160  in addition to discharged gas clathrates, vehicle  200  may also comprise a delivery system configured to deliver gas dissociated from gas clathrates within first vessel  111  and/or the second vessel of a separation system to the engine  160 . It should be understood that the delivery system may be analogous to the delivery system  50  of vehicle fuel system  100  and may be operably connected to vehicle fuel storage system  110  and/or the second vessel of a separation system. Any disclosure regarding delivery system  50  and its interactions with separation system  20  are applicable to this delivery system and its interactions with vehicle fuel storage system  110  and/or the separation system. The delivery system may be configured to introduce the discharged at least one gas into the engine  160  at substantially the same time as the discharged gas clathrates are introduced to the engine  160 . The delivery system may be configured to alternately introduce the discharged at least one gas and the discharged gas clathrates into the engine  160 . 
     In embodiments where dissociated gas is delivered to the engine  160  in addition to discharged gas clathrates, the engine  160  may comprises a first combustion chamber configured to receive and combust dissociated at least one gas. The engine  160  may further comprise a second combustion chamber configured to receive and combust discharged gas clathrate. The first combustion chamber may be thermally coupled to the second combustion chamber, whereby heat generated in the first combustion chamber is used to heat the second combustion chamber. Alternatively, the first combustion chamber may be thermally isolated from the second combustion chamber. In such embodiments, the engine  160  may comprise an internal combustion engine or an external combustion engine. 
     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2