Patent ID: 7155918

Claim:
A system for processing and transporting compressed natural gas comprising: a. a separator for receiving pressurized high-energy content gas from a pipeline, wherein the separator separates the pressurized high-energy content gas into saturated gas, a natural gas liquid, and a condensate; b. a decontamination unit connected to the separator for receiving the saturated gas, wherein the decontamination unit removes impurities from the saturated gas to create a decontaminated saturated gas; c. a dehydration unit connected to the decontamination unit for receiving the decontaminated saturated gas, wherein the dehydration unit removes water from the decontaminated saturated gas forming a dry pressurized gas; d. a chiller connected to the dehydration unit for receiving the dry pressurized gas, wherein the chiller cools the dry pressurized gas from ambient temperature to a temperature ranging from −80 degrees Fahrenheit to −120 degrees Fahrenheit forming a two-phase gas comprising a vapor phase and a liquid phase; e. at least one storage element located on a floating vessel, wherein the storage element is connected to the chiller and the separator, wherein the storage element receives the two-phase gas, the natural gas liquid, and the condensate, wherein the storage element maintains the two-phase gas, the natural gas liquid, and the condensate at a pressure ranging from 800 psi and 1200 psi, wherein the storage element comprises: i. an inner wall forming a cavity; ii. an outer wall; and iii. an insulation layer disposed between the inner and outer wall, and wherein the cavity is adapted to hold the two-phase gas, the natural gas liquid, and the condensate; f. the floating vessel adapted to transport the storage element a distance ranging from 500 nautical miles to 2500 nautical miles, and wherein the floating vessel utilizes the vapor phase during transit to power the floating vessel.