Methods for fuel tank recycling and net hydrogen fuel and carbon goods production along with associated apparatus and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016129780-A1
Application number	US-201514732569-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 5, 2015
Priority date	May 29, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fuel tank for use with hydrogen carrier fuels. The fuel tank includes a self-supporting shell having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A fluid-tight inner layer is disposed adjacent the inward facing surface and a fluid-tight outer layer is disposed adjacent the outward facing surface. A vent extends through the fluid-tight inner layer, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the self-supporting shell. The fuel tank can also include a gas collection canister connected to the vent.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 - 25 . (canceled)

26 . A fuel tank, comprising:
a self-supporting shell having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface; an inner layer disposed adjacent the inward facing surface, the inner layer comprises a conformable liner; and a fluid-tight outer layer disposed adjacent the outward facing surface.

27 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , further comprising a vent extending through the inner layer, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the self-supporting shell.

28 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , wherein the fluid-tight outer layer is comprised of polymer.

29 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , further comprising a sensor connected to the self-supporting shell and positioned to detect leakage from the tank.

30 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , further comprising a gas collection canister.

31 . The fuel tank according to claim 30 , wherein the canister is connected to an engine.

32 . The fuel tank according to claim 30 , wherein the canister includes a carbon element.

33 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , wherein the inner layer is attached to the self-supporting shell.

34 . The fuel tank according to claim 26 , wherein the inner layer is not attached to the self-supporting shell.

35 . A container conversion kit for converting an existing container for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the kit comprising:
a flexible inner liner positionable within an existing container adjacent to an inward facing surface of the existing container, the flexible inner liner comprises a conformable bladder; a fluid-tight outer layer positionable adjacent to an outward facing surface of the existing container; and a net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit positionable inside the flexible inner liner.

36 . The container conversion kit according to claim 35 , further comprising a vent extendable through the inner liner, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the existing fuel tank.

37 . The container conversion kit according to claim 35 , wherein the inner liner and the fluid-tight outer layer are comprised of polymer.

38 . The container conversion kit according to claim 35 , further comprising a gas collection canister.

39 . The container conversion kit according to claim 38 , wherein the canister is connectable to an engine.

40 . The container conversion kit according to claim 38 , wherein the canister includes a carbon element.

41 . The container conversion kit according to claim 35 , wherein the inner liner is attachable to the existing container.

42 . The container conversion kit according to claim 35 , wherein the container is a fuel tank.

43 . A container conversion kit for converting an existing container for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the kit comprising:
a flexible inner liner positionable within an existing container adjacent to an inward facing surface of the existing container; a net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit positionable inside the flexible inner liner; and a thermo-chemical regeneration processor in fluid communication with the net-hydrogen carrier fuel pickup conduit.

44 . The container conversion kit according to claim 43 , further comprising a fluid-tight outer layer positionable adjacent to an outward facing surface of the existing container.

45 . The container conversion kit according to claim 43 , further comprising a pressure port connectable to an engine and extendable through the inner liner and the existing container.

46 . The container conversion kit according to claim 43 , further comprising a conduit connectable between an engine and the thermo-chemical regeneration processor.

47 . A method for converting an existing fuel tank for use with net-hydrogen carrier fuels, the method comprising:
lining an inside surface of an existing fuel tank with a chemically inert liner; covering an outside surface of the existing fuel tank with a fluid-tight outer layer; and installing a fuel pickup conduit inside the chemically inert liner.

48 . The method according to claim 47 , wherein the chemically inert liner and the fluid-tight outer layer are comprised of polymer.

49 . The method according to claim 47 , further comprising attaching the chemically inert liner to the inside surface of the existing fuel tank.

50 . The method according to claim 49 , wherein the liner is attached with adhesive.

Assignees

• Mcalister Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Mcalister Roy Edward

Classifications

• Y10T137/86324

  Tank with gas vent and inlet or outlet · CPC title

• Y10T137/5762

  With leakage or drip collecting · CPC title

• B60K2015/03052

  Fuel tanks made of two balloons, one inside the other · CPC title

• B60K2015/03046

  made from more than one layer · CPC title

• B60K15/03177

  made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material (B60K15/03006 takes precedence) · CPC title