An application of the innovative products of

VORTEX TUBE ENHANCED VAPORIZATION LIQUEFIED GAS

Vortex Tube Enhanced Vaporization Liquefied Gas Prepared by Gasficient Consulting Services

Page 1 of 2

Liquefied gases, both cryogenic and pressurized, are widely used in the modern industrial world today. Be they fuels (LGP,LNG), or inert gases (CO2, N2, O2) these liquids typically require vaporization before utilization. Vaporization is typicallyachieved using heat exchange with ambient air of via applying an external source of heat. Irrespective of the method ofvaporization capital and operating costs can be substantial. Vortex Tube Enhanced Liquid Vaporization contributes tovaporization for a reasonable capital cost and minimal on-going operating cost.A vortex tube (VT) configured as a Vortex Pressure Reducer (VPR) is a specially designed cylindrical device with nomoving parts that can be used to reduce the pressure of pressurized gas During pressure reduction the released gasundergoes internal energy and mass segregation (Vortex Phenomenon) forming internal ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ flows. UVI’sinnovations include VPR that provide non-freeze pressure reduction, single stream outlet as well as an integral heatexchanger.

The process of vaporization of liquefied gases typically results in a pressurized gas flow that is pressure reduced to complywith the gas delivery pressure requirements. The Vortex Heat Exchanger is energy and cost saving device operating on theprinciple of ‘vortex phenomenon’. The vortex phenomenon converts internal energy of decompressed gas into highlyintensive thermal fluxes in the specially designed cylindrical device with no moving parts –Vortex Tube.

The Vortex Heat Exchanger consists of the heat generating Single Flow VT with a Heat Exchanger set up on the VT’s outerwalls in intimate contact with the tube’s surface. The heat exchanger space is equipped with the fins to increase heattransfer from the VT’s walls. A flow of unheated liquid passing through the Heat Exchanger absorbs the heat radiated bythe hot layers of the vortex flow and comes out with the increased temperature.

Two configurations of Vortex Tube Enhanced Vaporization of Liquefied Gases are offered:

1. Ex-Tank - The pressurized gas from the Vaporizer discharge is directed into the Vortex Tube of the Vortex Heater. In theVortex Tube the gas undergoes pressure reduction down to the delivery pressure and simultaneously produces aheating duty before exiting at a reduced pressure. The liquefied gas from the storage tank is directed to the heatexchange space of the Vortex Heater where it is warmed. The warmed liquid exits the vortex heat exchanger tocontinue to the Vaporizer to complete vaporization. The schematic is shown in Figure 1

2. In-Tank - The pressurized gas from the tank discharge is directed into the Vortex Tube of the Vortex Heater. In theVortex Tube the gas undergoes pressure reduction down to the delivery pressure and simultaneously produces aheating duty before exiting at a reduced pressure. The Vortex Heat Exchanger is mounted so that heat is transferred toliquid LPG in the tank to enhance in-tank vaporization. The schematic is shown in Figure 2

An application of the innovative products of

VORTEX TUBE ENHANCED VAPORIZATION LIQUEFIED GAS

Vortex Tube Enhanced Vaporization Liquefied Gas Prepared by Gasficient Consulting Services

Page 2 of 2

Figure 1- Ex-Tank

LPG Example: Analysis of a VHE operating at 6 bar inlet pressure and 1 bar outlet with LPG flow rate of 300 kg/HR shows8.7C increase of the liquid temperature. Considering both heat required to elevate the liquid from ambient temperatureand the latent heat of vaporization the VHE provides approximately 6.5% of the total energy required for vaporization.

Figure 2- In-Tank