US 12,442,490 B2
Flexible regasification facility and methods of operation
Robert Bryngelson, The Woodlands, TX (US); Ray Gagliardi, The Woodlands, TX (US); Graeme Trotter, The Woodlands, TX (US); Kenneth McGeachie, The Woodlands, TX (US); Charles E. Ruehl, Jr., The Woodlands, TX (US); Daniel Isaacson, The Woodlands, TX (US); and Matthew Migliozzi, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Assigned to WAVECREST ENERGY, LLC, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Filed by WAVECREST ENERGY, LLC, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 6, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/938,539.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/547,759, filed on Nov. 8, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0146625 A1, May 8, 2025
Int. Cl. F17C 7/04 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 7/04 (2013.01) [F17C 2221/033 (2013.01); F17C 2227/0135 (2013.01); F17C 2265/05 (2013.01); F17C 2270/011 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0118 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0136 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A regasification facility, comprising:
an intake system adapted to receive a flow of LNG from at least one LNGC;
at least one LNG storage mechanism in communication with the intake system; and
at least one regasification system including one or more vaporizers in communication with the intake system and each including at least one heating chamber though which a volume of LNG is moved for conversion of the LNG to regasified natural gas;
wherein the intake system is configured to direct at least a first portion of the flow of LNG from the LNGC directly to the at least one regasification system and selectively divert a second portion of the flow of LNG from the at least one LNGC to the at least one LNG storage mechanism;
a facility control system including programming or instructions configured to monitor (1) the second portion of the flow of LNG being diverted to the at least one LNG storage mechanism and (2) a storage capacity of the at least one LNG storage mechanism and selectively:
(a) direct the LNGC to shut down one or more LNGC cargo pumps and supply a flow of stored LNG to the at least one regasification system from the at least one LNG storage mechanism when a level of LNG within the at least one LNG storage mechanism exceeds an established threshold capacity; or
(b) suspend diversion of the second portion of LNG to the at least one LNG storage mechanism, and continue to operate the one or more LNGC cargo pumps (i) until one or more onboard LNG storage tanks of the LNGC are emptied or (ii) until a shutdown of the one or more LNGC cargo pumps; and
wherein the at least one LNG storage mechanism comprises a storage capacity sufficient to supply a volume of LNG to the at least one regasification system for a selected time period.