A GAS BOOSTING DEVICE FOR A GAS CYLINDER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RE 5 LATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY The present application claims priority from an Indian Patent Application Number 201821011036 filed on 26 ^th March 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a field of air- circulation and high-pressure cylinders, and more particularly, relates to device enabled to utilize the residual gas in cylinders having compressed gas using forced air circulation.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.

A Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder under normal pressure and temperature is in gaseous state and liquid LPG is stored in cylinders under moderate pressure. The liquefied gas is stored in the cylinder at very high pressures.

The liquefied gas absorbs the heat from the circular surface of the cylinder and further evaporates to form the gas. During this process, the liquefied gas absorbs the heat from the side walls making the side walls cooler than the ambient temperature. The side walls retain the heat from the surrounding air which is under natural convection. Due to the natural convection of the surrounding air, the circular side walls of the cylinder regain the heat by absorbing the heat from the ambient air further warming the side walls. This cycle of heat transfer first from the cylinder walls to the liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas and later from the ambient air to the cylinder walls continues due to natural convection.

However, this heat transfer is ineffective at the bottom region of the gas cylinder and the bottom part of the gas region lacks the flow of natural convection and especially the base where it is in contact with the floor. Therefore, there is no scope of any heat transfer via natural convection.

Such lack of heat transfer results in the residual gas which is in the liquid form and which cannot be used at the burner. This is because the residual gas cannot be evaporated and thus is not able to build up the require pressure which can charge the burners.

Conventionally, consumers compensate the residual gas by lifting the cylinder and further shaking the cylinder which evaporates the liquid gas and further builds the threshold pressure to charge the burners. But this technique in ineffective as there is again drop in pressure after the utilisation of available gas under pressure. Further, it is not easy to always lift the cylinder and shake the cylinder to gain the threshold pressure. Therefore, such residual gas is wasted or remains unused even if the cylinder has the capacity to deliver it for use.

Therefore, there is a long-standing need for a device which may enable the utilisation of the residual gas by enabling the evaporation of the liquefied gas.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a device enabled for gas boosting in a gas cylinder and the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an embodiment, a device enabled for gas boosting in a gas cylinder containing liquefied gas is described. The device may include a composite carriage enabled to carry the weight of the gas cylinder further containing a central compartment and a plurality of casters. The device may further include a fan enabled to suck the air from the bottom of the carriage and blow the air over the base of the cylinder. The device may further include a power supply means comprising an anti-spark connector enabling a supply of electric power for the functioning of the fan. The device may further include a covering means enabled to cover the fan rotor at the top. The device is further enabled to blow the available surrounding ambient air to the bottom of the cylinder for promoting the evaporation of the liquefied gas settled at the bottom of the cylinder by exchange of heat available in the ambient air.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to boost the gas usage in gas cylinders by way of heat exchange between the ambient air and the gas inside the cylinder via the cylindrical walls as described herein.

Yet another object of the invention is to carry the weight of the gas cylinder via a composite carriage comprising a central compartment, a plurality of casters and a plurality of pads having an anti-skid surface.

Yet another object of the invention is to maintain a constant flame at the burner by generating a constant and even vapour pressure via evaporation of the liquid based upon heat transfer caused through the blown ambient air. Yet another object of the invention is to blow the available ambient air having heat over the base of the cylinder.

Yet another object of the invention is to compensate the decreased contact surface area of the liquefied gas with the cylinder lining by the fan providing forced convection of ambient air having the heat. .

Still another object of the invention is to promote the evaporation of the liquefied gas settled at the bottom of the cylinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In the Figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the Figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a device 101 enabled for gas boosting in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the device 101 enabled for gas boosting in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the device 101 enabled for gas boosting in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the device 101 enabled for gas boosting in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view representing the working mechanism of the blown air in the composite cylinder with an embodiment of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a field of air- circulation and high-pressure cylinders, and more particularly, relates to device enabled to utilize the residual gas in cylinders having compressed gas using forced air circulation.

The liquefied gas in the cylinder absorbs the heat energy from the cylinder walls and further evaporates to form gas and build the pressure. Because of this evaporation and pressure built-up, the gas cylinder is enabled to deliver gas at the burners. Such evaporation is due to the presence of heat in the surrounding walls of the cylinder. When the liquefied gas absorbs the heat, the cylinder loses the heat and become cool. Due to the temperature difference, the cylinder walls get the heat from the ambient air which compensates the maintenance of temperature of the cylinder walls. Availability of the ambient air around the cylinder walls thus plays a major role in maintenance of the pressure build-up.

Such effect of heat exchange is ineffective when there is the liquefied gas level at a lower level and where there is no circulation of ambient air having thermal energy for exchange. The bottom of the cylinder remains with deficit in the availability of ambient air and thus does not promote evaporation. Therefore, the gaseous liquid remains in liquid state and does not promote building up the pressure.

To create a forced convection, the present device promotes the flow of ambient air to the bottom of the cylinder and also promotes the evaporation of the liquefied gas in the gas cylinder.

For the purpose of current disclosure, the gas cylinder may contain any compressible gas which can be compressed in liquid state and may further be made available in gaseous form through nozzle. The liquefied gas may comprise liquid air, liquefied natural gas, liquefied oxygen, liquefied nitrogen, liquefied hydrogen, liquefied helium, liquefied petroleum gas and any other gas which can be compressed in liquid state in high pressure cylinders.

Referring Figure 1, an isometric view of a device 101 enabled for gas boosting is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The device 101 comprises a composite carriage 102. The composite carriage 102 may further comprise a central compartment 103 and a plurality of casters 104. The central compartment 103 may be a hollow cylindrical structure enabled for accommodating a fan 105. The central compartment 103 may comprise mounting means for mounting the fan 105. The fan 105 may be powered by a power source with an anti- spark connector 106. The plurality of casters 104 may enable the device 101 to move from one point to another making the device 101 portable as well as further aids ease in moving the heavy cylinders.

In an embodiment, the composite carriage 102 may comprise a steel frame covered with polymer plastic or it may comprise a hard plastic covered by a flexible plastic. The structure and material of the composite carriage 102 is such that the composite carriage 102 is enabled to sustain high compressive force due to the heavy weight of the gas cylinders. In one exemplary embodiment, the composite carriage 102 in India may be subjected to 29.5 kg weight in which the tare weight of the empty cylinder is 15.3 kg and the weight of liquefied gas is 14.2 kg ± 150 grams. Therefore, with the addition of the tare weight and weight of liquefied gas, the composite carriage 102 is subjected to 29.5 kg weight.

In another embodiment, the upper surface of composite carriage may comprise a plurality of pads 108 which may comprise anti-skid surface. The anti-skid surface is enabled to grip any object placed above the pads 108. The pads 108 may grip the bottom of the cylinder when any cylinder is engaged with the device. In an example, the current device described in this disclosure has 4 pads 108 for gripping. However, there may be any number of pads implemented on the carriage in a variety of implementations comprising pads, continuous ring structures and the like. In yet another embodiment, the fan 105 is installed in the central compartment 103 to suck the ambient air available below and around the carriage and to blow the ambient air over the base of the cylinder. The blown ambient air transmits the heat energy to the base of the cylinder wherein the base further transmits the absorbed heat energy to the liquefied gas causing the liquefied gas to evaporate and further increase the pressure in the cylinder such that the pressure reaches a threshold which can be used to charge the burners. The continuous flow of the air may create a continuous heat transfer mechanism resulting in constant and uniform evaporation of the liquefied gas, thereby utilising the residual gas which was not able to be utilised or accessed before.

In an implementation, the gas boosting device 101 may be implemented for blowing the air either at the base in case of a steel cylinder or in the gap present in steel polymer interface of a composite cylinder. Since, in a composite cylinder the inner steel cylinder is covered with a polymer enclosure, therefore there is a need to surpass ambient air from the gap present in the steel-polymer interface. Such passing of ambient air in the composite cylinder will enable the evaporation of the gas present in the composite cylinder.

In one embodiment, the fan 105 may have a specification of 12 V, .30 amperes configuration and current in the range of .20 amps - .50 amps. The fan 105 may be connected by an anti-spark connector 106 which brings in the safety in the assembly of the device 100. The fan 105 may be a low noise producing fan 105.

In another embodiment, the rotor of the fan 105 is protected by a covering means 107. The covering means 107 may be a grill made from a steel or plastic. The grill may be implemented to prevent any foreign material to enter the rotor area which may have the possibility to block the rotation.

In yet another embodiment, the flame of the burnt gas may be kept constant throughout the usage period of cylinder because of the constant pressure generation in the cylinder using the device 101. When the gas in the cylinder is about to be depleted or decreases to a lower level, the flame at the burner has a tendency to flicker or bum abruptly because of the uneven pressure being developed inside the cylinder. Due to the implementation of the device 101 for gas boosting, vapour pressure is evenly generated and distributed which results in generation of constant and even flame of the burnt gas. The rate of evaporation is directly proportional to the gas volume which is in contact with the surface area of the cylinder thereby promoting the heat transfer from the ambient air to the cylinder lining. When the gas cylinder is fully filled with liquid gas, the liquid gas is in full contact with the inner surface of cylinder. The complete inner surface of the cylinder has the potential to deliver heat to the liquid gas which further evaporates to develop pressure in the cylinder. The evaporation of the liquid gas or the pressure development is directly proportional to the surface of the cylinder which is in contact with the liquid gas. A threshold surface area is required to be in contact with the liquefied gas to evaporate or to create pressure. If the liquefied gas level decreases and goes below the threshold level, then the required pressure to charge the burner in the cylinder may not be developed as there is very less heat which can be transferred by the surface which is in contact with the liquefied gas. Such limitation of surface area is overcome by the blown ambient air which recharges the cylinder walls and lining with fresh air having the heat. Thus, the rate of heat transfer is increased due to the rapid travel of ambient air around the cylinder walls which freshens the cylinder walls with heat energy thereby evaporating the gas inside the cylinder which is at low level. The device 101 for gas boosting thus enables pressure build-up in the gas cylinder by blowing the ambient air. Therefore, the decrease in contact surface area with the liquefied gas is compensated with the blown air of the fan. Referring Figure 2, a top view of the device 101 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter. The top view illustrates the complete circular surface of the composite carriage 102 on which the cylinder is to be placed. The central compartment 103 may comprise the fan 105 which is assembled with fasteners. The fasteners may comprise a screw fitted with angle supports.

Referring Figure 3, a side view of the device lOlis illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter. The side view illustrates the assembly of the casters 104 which are enabled to move the whole device 101 along with the cylinder from one point to other. The installation of casters 104 may reduce the human effort in carrying the cylinder from the one point to other. The anti-spark connector 106 may be assembled within the body of composite carriage. The anti spark connector 106 may enable safe electric power connection with the fan 105.

Referring Figure 4, a bottom view of the device lOlis illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter. The bottom view illustrates the castors, and the fan 105 arrangement from the bottom. In one embodiment, the fan 105 may comprise a covering means 107 from bottom in addition to the covering means 107 situated at the top.

Referring Figure 5, a sectional view representing the working mechanism of the blown air in the composite cylinder is illustrated with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As shown, there exists a gap between the inner fibre lining and outer polymer lining interface. The set of vertical arrows in the gap represent the direction of the blown air which carry the heat and further transfer to the inner fibre linings. The cylinder linings thus further transfer the heat to the liquefied gas and evaporate the liquefied gas to create a threshold pressure. Such threshold pressure will further be used to charge the linked burner.

In an embodiment, the cylinder may comprise at least one of a fibre-polymer cylinder, a metal-polymer cylinder, metal-metal cylinder or all cylinders.

Table 1 represented below provides the quantity of residue gas without gas boosting device 101 and with the gas boosting device 101 both in a composite cylinder and a metal cylinder.

Table 1:

From the table 1, it is observed that the residual gas without the implementation of the gas boosting device 101 was 3.03 kg in composite cylinders and 1.44 kg in metal cylinders wherein such residual gas cannot be utilised as there was no threshold pressure present in the cylinders. With the implementation of the gas boosting device 101 in the same cylinders, the residual gas was observed to be 0.134 kg in composite cylinder and 0.132 kg in metal cylinders. This results in 95.57 % usage of residual gas in composite cylinders and 90.84 % usage of residual gas in metal cylinders.

In one embodiment, the gas boosting device 101 will reduce possibility of fire in case of a gas leakage. In case of leakage in cylinder gas will settle down to bottom of cylinder because it is heavier than air. The Gas boosting device 101 circulates/throws bottom air having the concentrated gas to upwards which will reduce concentration of gas at bottom of cylinder as well as reduce the possibility of formation of layers of gas at the bottom near floor level. Therefore, less concentration of gas in atmosphere will reduce fire possibility because there is a requirement of certain concentration of gas in air to catch fire.

Although implementations for a gas boosting device 101 enabled for utilization of the residual gas from a gas cylinder have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for gas boosting device 101 enabled for utilization of the residual gas from a gas cylinder.