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    System and Method for Unloading Compressed Natural Gas

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    System and Method for Unloading Compressed Natural Gas

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    18 views7 pages

    System and Method For Unloading Compressed Natural Gas

    Uploaded by

    LTORRESM
    System and Method for Unloading Compressed Natural Gas

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    US 201602! cu») United States «2 Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2016/0290563 Al Diggins (54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (71) Applicant: David A. Diggins, Midland, TX (US) (72) Inventor: David A. Diggins, Midland, TX (US) (21) Appl. Nos 14/677,728 (22) Filed: Apr. 2, 2015 Publication Classification ()) IneeL FITC 702 (2006.01) (43) Pub, Date Oct. 6, 2016 FITC 72 (2013.01); FITC 2227/08 (Go1301) on ABSTRACT A system and method for unloading highly pressurized com- pressed natural was from transport vessels By depressurizing the gis chrouph low lines inking a series of sutomated flow ‘control valves tht lower the as pressure to predetermined Tevel, the valves being linkedin series with and separated by heat exchangers in which the lower pressure gas flowing through the system i also reheated to predetermined tome perature by 2 heat exchange medium recirculation system in ‘whieh the heat exchange medium i rated by heat source ‘hat can bo internal othe system, The use ofa minor portion ofthe depressurized and reheated gs as fel gas reheat the heat exchange medium is also disclosed. The subject system can be skid- mounted if dese Patent Application Publication Oct. 6, 2016 US 2016/0290563 AI 60 FIG. 1 US 2016/0290563 Al SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION {0001} ‘The subject invention relates 10 a system and method for unloading. pressurized gus, preferably com- pressed natural gas(°CNG"), fom transport tanks in which it fs delivered from a source sich as a Wellhead storage tank to a destination soch asa customer, industrial user, oF pipeline More particularly, the invention relates to a system and sth for ualooding and depres as while automatically controlling tbe and flow rate ofthe delivered gas within aceptable ranges. ‘Another aspect of the iavention relates (0 a system and rmthod for redcing residual gns pressure in a transport tank to a desirod minimal level when unloading compressed nati- ral gas, Still another aspect of the invention relates 10 @ method for unloading compressed natural gas that includes diverting « minor portion of the ofloaded gas that is dis ‘charged from the system ofthe invention following depres surization for use as low pressure Fel gas to heat reci= culating heat exchange medium thst is used 10 heat the transported gas as it cools while Being llloaded through the system. The present inveation is distinguished from, and is not intended for use with, systems ormethodsfor transporting ‘or delivering liquefied natural gas C°LNG"). 2, DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0002] In locations where gas-producing wells ae located emote from pipelines or other industrial use sites. itisoften desirable to compress the natural yas and transportitby and, rail or sea in tube trailers of in gas transpor modules (GTM) that re well known to those of ordinary skill in the fat In other situations it may be desirable to transport CNG from a pipeline t an industrial customer. Gas pressures in such CNG transport vessels often ringe from about 3000 to 4200 PSlormore, and typically from about 32500 3600 PSI, depeoding upon parameters such as ambient temperature, ‘uid composition, vehicular weight limits and helike. Using ‘conventional unloading systems, operational dificulies are ‘offen encountered in unloading CNG from transport tanks into pipelines orduring delivery other industrial customers, particularly when ambient temperatures are well befow stan- ‘dard canditions. The economics of pressurized gs transport and delivery ace also adversely affected ifthe amount of gas ‘liver is insalicient to reduce the residual pressure inthe transport vessel to desired minimum level for return to 8 as-loading site 10003) With conventional CNG delivery systems, an ini- tially high pressure (such as, for example, around 3600 PSI) inside @ transport tank drops as the gas passes throvgh a throttling valve the unloading ste. As the remaining lower- pressure gas passes through the valve, the pressure, temperi- ture and flow rate can drop even lower, o undesirably low levels, especially whe the ambient temperatures are low as well. Where the delivered CNG is being discharge into gas supply ines o furnaces, boilers, or lage internal combustion ‘engines (eg, those powering lncomotives, generators, ofthe Tike, the gas flow rate needed to needed fo meet the down- stream demand stypically measured in standard cubic fest of ts per minute or hour, andl can be highly variable, requiring throttling valves in the unloading or delivery equipment to ‘constantly’ adjust for such variations. In some cates, this Oct. 6, 2016 require increasing the flow rate through the discharge line of the delivery system atthe same time that the Now eate in the elivery system is being depleted as the tansport tank is ‘emptied, which in tum Tuner cools the temperature of the ss discharged through the throttling valves. [004] Also, shea the prssuredilleretial across de throt- ting valve fas to 9 evel where a significant volume of Jowerspressure gas remains inside the tank and eannot be sischarged atthe required minimum temperature and pres- sure. The natural gas transporter i then faced withthe prob- Jem of having to transport 2 significant volume of gas hack 10 the reloading station, theceby incuting additional tanspor- tation changes fora portion ofthe original natural gas payload that was not deliverable, [0008] Other methods for transporting and unloading CNG or ENG are disclosed, for example, in US. Pat. Nos. 5,608, 360; 5,676,180, 8,281,820 and 8,607,830. In another known prior application, closed loop regulators have sometimes been used for verifying compressor delivery pressure and power load requirements at steady slate low rates Ia the Jatter case, such gas regulators are typically. manually adjusted fo control low rae, pressure and temperature ofthe Selivered gas by recyeling 8 portion of the gas discharged from the compressor at a high discharge pressure of about 4200 PSI tothe compressor inlet to dietlyprebest the inlet as. [0006] A system and method for unloading CNG and deliv- cing it to an industrial user at an acceptable outlet gas tem- perature, pressure and flow rate and for redueing the residual pressure level inthe transport vessel toa minimal acceptable level under ambient conditions are therefore nosed. Such a system and method are disclosed below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] ‘Tae presentinventionincludes system and method ‘useful for unloading CNG that has been transported at high pressure, such as from about 3000 t0 about 4200 PSI. and preferably from about 3250 to about 3600 PSI, and for detiv~ fring it fo an induscil user st temperature and presse falling within a range specified by the user. In one embodi- the invention, the subject system comprises aseries of automated flow control valves through which the loaded (CNG flows to lower the gas pressure and through a plural ‘of heat exchangers, some of which are disposed between the ‘auomiated flow contol valves, to mise the temperature ofthe Jower-pressure gas at intermediate stages and atthe outlet. A culating liquid heat exchange medium is desirably pro- vided as part ofthe system to reheat the oflloaded gas fs it pumped through the heat exchangers in a direction that is countercurrent tothe Hew of gas. The flow contro valves, at Teast one heater for the heat exchange medium, and a recir crating pump for the heat exchange medium are desirably electronically’ linked o and contolled by 2 pre-programmed orprogrammabledevice to achieve acceptable gas flow rats, a predetermined gas outlet temperature, and acceptable pres: ste levels fr hth the delivered gas (ne “delivery presse") fand the pas retuined in the transport vessel (Sometimes referred to asthe “abandonment pressure"), More partic Jory, the sensed temperature ofthe flowing outlet yas down- seam ofthe last heat exchanger is desirably used to eontol the temperature ofthe recirculating heat exchange medium to achieve a desired gas outlet temperature. [0008] As used in this specification, the tem “astomated ow control valves" is intended to extend to and include US 2016/0290563 Al devices sometimes refered toi the industy as “regulators? “regulator valves." “1/1” or “Joule-Thompson valves" that are preferably gas operated and areactuatedin response to gas pressures sensed dowastream ofthe valves selectively open ‘or rostiet the cross-sectional area of the fluid low path pro= vided bythe orifice in the valve. When used to control the flow rate of a uid flow primarily comprising CNG within the ‘operating ranges disclosed in this specification, the auto rated flow control valves progressively lower the pressure of the CNG passing through the valves, causing the temperature 1 fall as Well Bocause the CNG temperature drops when it undergoes successive pressure drops fom the tansport pres sure down tothe delivery discharge pressure (or “ott pres- sure"), plurality of heat exchangers disposed between su ‘cessive flow contol valves ean be use to reheat the node as 10 a satisfactory delivery temperature. A heat source for the liquid heat exchange medium and a least one recreu tion pump are desirably provided to move the heat exchange medium through the reeteulation loo. [0009] ‘The CNG unloading system and method disclosed here are desirably configured and automated to unload high pressure natural gas received from a CNG transpor such as 2 lube tmiler, gas anspor module or gas transport container and to deliver the gas toa customer within specified ranges fo delivery pressure and temperature. Gas transport containers sitable for ese in conjunction with the subject system and ‘method can be mounted, for example, ona semi-traler or ral ‘car and will typically contain natural gas compressed to pres futes ranging from about 3000 PS] up to about 4208 PST oF higher during transport, with pressures ranging from about 3250 to about 3600 PSI being typical for such uses. Of Joaiing of the gas desirably contin uni the individ gas tubesare emptied to a residual gas pressure of about 100 PST or lower. 10010] The subject invention is particularly useful in 2 ‘dynamic environment in which the inlet flow rates and Upstream pressure fm the transport are constantly decreas ‘ng, but in which the temperature and pressure at which the depressurized gas is discharged from the system must be sustained. Once the desired delivery pressure and temper Ture ae set, low controls ean automaticaly “Wim” the stems Jn the flow control valves in response to the sensed down- stream pressures to adjust the low rates needed to contol the line pressure inthe delivery system. Similarly other flow ‘controls can automatically adjust the temperature and flew rate the recirculating liquid heat exchange medium so 380 liver the outlet gas discharged from the inventive syste a a desited temperature. According t one embodiment of the Jnventioa, a buller tank i also provided as part of the system and is disposed in fluid communication with the fii flow fines for use in balancing pressures and low rates between successive flow contol valves and heat exchangers in the system, particularly in response toa “throtle slam” (such as anengine fue demanel change from ile to fullthrotteor vice ‘vers) that can occur while flow contol valve i responding to asensed pressure and substantial change in delivery flow volume In such eases, buller tank having 2 volume sulli- ‘cient to contain fom about a 1S-second to about a 60-seeond supply of gas is typically sufficient t0 accommodate and ‘compensate forsuch an event while the valve contro reacts to the change in downstream pressure during the unloading process, 10011} In another embodiment ofthe invention, a natural bas presse reduction system ofthe inveation is coigured Oct. 6, 2016 ‘asa skid mounted unit that ean be conveniently delivered and installed ta preferred, possibly temporary location quickly put into service, and then relocated wo another use site when ‘esired, Such « skid-mounted unit is desimby Tocated at oF nearby CNG unloading site and comprises heat exchangers, ‘auloniated ow contro valves, heat exchange medi and ‘eeirculation system, a heat source forthe recirculated heat exchange medium, piping, instrumentation and controls ede fo receive highly pressurized CNG from a transport tank and discharge it into the receiving lines of aa industrial user. The automated flow contol valves desirably inelude stem-guided, high pressure coniol valves (as marketed, for ‘example, By Kimray In.) Such valves are atomated in that they are “selF-rimming” in response to the sensed down- steam pressure. digital conta system, preferably incivd- ing a programmable logic contollee (*PLC”) or finetional ‘equivalent, is desirably provided to regulate the flow rate and temperature of the heat exchange medium within the heat exchange reccculation system of the invention by controlling ‘operation of a beater and recirelation pump. The subject system differs from prior closed-loop regulators in that the beat source desirably uilizes the same yas being unloaded 10 reheat gs that has undergone the pressure drop and asso ated cooling upon being discharged from the transport. Col- Jy, the automated flow control valves and the heat medium recirculation system are desirably confi ‘ured to enable the system to achieve lower residual gas pres- sures (“abandonment pressures”) in the gas transport, thereby ‘improving the eficieney of the gas transport and delivery process [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. [0012] The system and method ofthe invention are further {described and explined in relation to the following drawings ‘wherein: [0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic view of one embodiment ofthe apparatus ofthe subject system and sso illustrates an embodiment of the inventive method of the ‘vention that is practiced when using the subject apparatus DESCRIPTION OP THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS. [0014] System 10 and the method ofthe invention are far- ther disclosed in relation to FIG. 1 of the drawings, Com- pressed satural gas (*CNG") is received into system 10 ‘hough ile valve 12a flow line M4 ata transport pressure of ‘about 3000 to about 4200 PSI. Pressure relief valve 88 is ‘disposed between inlet valve 12 and heat exchanger 16 10 protect system 10 from any gas source in which the gas pressure exceeds the maximum operational pressure Tor ‘whieh system 10 is designed, such as, for example, about 44500 PSI. Heat exchanger 16s desirably shel and tube heat ‘exchanger designed for use at pressures exceeding the opent- ‘ional pressures disclosed above, [0018] The CNG is desirably heated toabout 105°. in eat ‘exchanger 16 and, upon exiting the heat exchanger, passes ‘rough flow Hines 18, 24 aad Valves 20, 26 w be throted from the inlet pressure to an intemediate pressure of 300 PS] in one of more automated flow control valves 22, 28, The number of throttle valves is determined by the maximam rehired flow rate meastred in standard cubie feet per minute for hotr and the lowest operational pressure of the outlet oF delivery pressure. Ata very high initial transport pressure and US 2016/0290563 Al ‘at low or “idle” low rate the throtle valve trim is very small, As the transport gas pressure drops the flowing gas density ‘drops proportionally and the valve trim or effective orifice ‘diameter must increase to allow for greater flow. Asthe trans= port pressure drops, the trim or orifice of fist automate flow ‘contol valve 22 reaches a maximum open position and the first throtle valve is unable to flow additional volume atthe upstream and downstream pressure differentia. At this point, ‘automated flow control valve 28 throttle valve begins open tnd ads tothe max flow rate through automated Now control valve 22. The percent of opening ofthe orifice in automated flow control valve 28 is adjusted automatically by sensing the ‘downstream pressure and moving the digphragm and stem of ‘low contol valve 2%, thereby either increasing or decreasing the effective temperature due tothe Joule Thompson cooling ‘of an expanding gas 10016] Flow contol valves 22,28 are desirably configured (such as by the use of different orifices and stems, or by the use of other similarly effective components) with difereat trim levels that are inversely proportional tothe preset crack ing pressures. When so configured, a low control valve 22 ‘with a higher preset cracking presure will desirably have a finer tim (eraek open toa lesser extent) than a flow control valve 28 having a lower preset cracking, pressuce. For ‘example, where the trim level of low control valve 22 is 14 ‘inch and the preset cracking pressure is set at 350 PSI, @ representative trim level of flow control valve 28 i inch and the preset cracking pressure o flow control valve 28 sat ‘lower Value, seh as about 325 PSI, The trim level and preset ‘racking pressure of a flow contol valve to be used in a particular service within the system of the invention can be specified, reconfigured oradjusted as needed in elation tothe inlet pressure and flow rate of the CNG, {0017} Thegas ow as apportioned by automated flow con- trol valves 22,28 is then directed past pressure safety valve ‘90 and conventional temperature and pressure sensors by ow Fines 30, 32 and enters a second set of shell and tube heat ‘exchangers 34,36. The length and diameter of heat exchang~ ‘ers 34, 36 is desirably determined by the residence time exited to reheat the flowing gas based on the maximum gas ‘low capacity measured in pounds of owing gas pe hour. 10018] The flowing gas is heated to about 105° Fin heat ‘exchangers 34,36, and the gas exiting heat exchangers 34, 36 through flow Fines 38 requires at least one more thre t0 Jarther drop the pressure of the flowing paso its design outlet fr discharge pressure (the pressure at which the gas ean, typically be delivered toa industrial user) Because the frst throttling valve, automated flow control valve 22, senses the ‘dowastreum pressure to adjust its percent of erfie opening, the next throttle valve, automated New contro valve 40, will be adversely affected by changes in the upstream pressure as result of the pressore drop across the upsteam valves 22,28 Thisean cause potential feedback or“hunt” oscillations a5 the ‘contol system seeks to determine an effective pereent of ‘orifice opening. A Tame volume buffer such as buffer vessel 446 can be used 10 compensate for“ihrottle slams” and reduce ‘and slow the changes in downstream pressure in automated flow control valve 4 allowing the valves trim time to adjust the percent of open in the trim orifice and the control valve. ‘The volume of buffer vessel 46 is desirably sufficient to provide from about 1S secand to about a 60 second flaw of ‘22s to maintain the gas fow rate as flow contol valves 22,28, respond to sensed ine pressures Valve 42 and pressure relief Oct. 6, 2016 valve 92 are desirably provided in low line 4410 facilitate ‘cntrol aid protect the system. [0019] Although only one atomated flaw control valve 40 Js depicted in FIG. 1 foruse between heat exchangers 4, 36 ‘and 48, i should be appreciated by those of ordinary’ skil ia ‘heart upon reading this disclosure one or more valves oper ‘ating Silly to automated low control valves 22, 28 may be required to drop the pressure of te Mowing gusto a level tat is consistent with the predetermined delivery pressure ‘andthe maxinatm Mow rate [0020] After the pressure of the flowing CNG has been {urter reduced by one or more automated flow control valves 40, the flowing CNG is then desirably reheated tothe prede- termined final gas temperature, System 10 ofthe iavention preferably comprises a beat exchange medium recirculation system comprising least one heater suchas as-fred heater 62 and anoptional supplemental heater 70, preferably inciud- ing a inline electrical heater, af least oe Aud recirculation ‘pump 72, valves 64,78, 6, flow lines 60, 74, 78,80, 82,84, ‘cntrollee 86, and other instrumentation as may be desired by those of ordinary skill inthe at twill benoted, for example, that temperature and pressure gauges are noted at various positions in FIG. 1 that are not specifically identified by reference numerals bul are well known to thse of skill inthe art, who will be familiar with seeing them on piping and instrumentation drawings of this type. Ou the shell side of cach heat exchanger 16, 34, 36 and 4, low lines 78, 80,82, {4,60 are provide (conventional connections ot shown) for tse in recirculating a contained heated heat exchange ‘medium through each of the heat exchangers in a direction that is countercurrent tothe direction athe CNG flow. [0021] _ thermocouple disposed nea the tube-side outlet ‘flaeat exchanger 48 mcasures the gos temperature as it exits hat exchanger 48. The thermocouple desirably reports the exit emperatre ofthe lw pressure gas downstream of heat ‘exehianger 48 controller 86 that is desirably inked, together ‘with automated flow contro valves 22,2840 and the various other temperature and pressure sensors shown in FIG. 1,10 4 programmable logic conrller (“PLC”) 96 or ater similarly effective controller that s either resident jn or eommunica- tively Tinked to other control elements of system 10 and is preprogrammed to monitor andadjust the settings ofall auto- ‘mated devices in system 10 as discussed herein to achieve the intermediate pressures, temperatures an low rates required to reduce the pressure ofthe inlet CNG ta the predetermined sg delivery pressure and to reheat the pressurized gas to a ‘desirable predetermined temperate. 0022} _ preferred heat exchange modium for use in the shell and tube beat exchangers disclosed herein isa glveol ‘water mi, typically a 50/80 mix ethylene glycol and water. ‘The heated glycol watermix is desirably cireulatedina closed Joop by an electrically driven centrifugal pump 72. An inline natural gas fied glycol heaters used o supply the majority if ‘otal the heat to theglyeol watermix. The tural gas fuel for ‘heii Fine glycol heaters sourced fom the natural gs streams exiting the systom through gas Now line 50. A minor portion ofthe was low is desirably diverted through line $4, valve $6 And astomated low control valve Sto supply fuel gas a an ‘even lower pressure sch as about 310 10 inches of water column (0.25-0.36 PSI to heater 62, thereby using a very small percentage ofthe delivered yas to reheat the ofloaded ‘gas asthe gas pressure is reduced during the unloading pro- US 2016/0290563 Al 10023] Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the heat out- putof secondary heater 70, preferably electric powered. can be adjusted by’ controller 86 or by PLC 96 to increase of decrease the Wattage of eletricty or BTU's of gas burned in heaters 70, 62, respectively, 10 heat the heat exchange medium contained is the closed loop recirculation system suicienty to reheat the recirculating heat exchange medium to a desired temperature 0024) The in line electrical heater is controlled by a ther ‘mostat sensing the final gas temperature. The thermostat var- jes the wattage in the electrical heating element, thereby ‘increasing or decreasing the fsa gs temperate to achieve the desired or selected Hlowing gas temperature. Where very fine control ofthe final gas temperature is required, such as plus or minus 1° F the fast response time of the inline ‘elecsical heater used, In some applications where final yas temperature has a broad range, the electrical heater can be ‘eliminated, 10025] The thermocouple is desimably communicatively Tinked toa PLC 96 oraprocess control thermostat that pulses ‘or varies the wattage powering the inline elecrie heater (In ‘conventional process control the heater would measure the temperature of the glycol water mix and vary the wattage to maintain a preset fuid temperature similar toa hot tm ther ‘most control circuit. The distinction here isthe thermostat is reading the Mowing gas temperature and then varying the ‘wattage to control tke as temperature not the glycal Water mix temperature, There is a thermocouple thermostat that Jnterlocks with the povser supply tothe inline electrical heater that prevents the inline heater fom ovecheating the glycol mix. Should the temperature interlock reach a preset maxi um safe glyco! temperature, reyaniles ofthe fina gs lws= ing temperature, the power is removed from the inline ele trical heater, 10026) Other alterations and modifications ofthe invention likewise become apparent o those of ordinary skill inthe rt upon reading this specification in view of the aecompsny- Jing drawings, and itis intended that theseopeof the invention disclosed herein be limited only bythe broadest intepretation ‘of the appended claims to which the iaventor andor Appl ‘cant are legally entitled. ‘What is claimed is 1. A compressed natural gas unloading system for use in unloading highly pressurized compressed natural gs from & transport vessel, the system comprising gas low lines ‘enabling fluid communication between a series of paired, suiomated flow contol valves that cooperate lower the ws pressure. predetermined level, plurality heat exchange fers, and a heat exchange medium recieulation system, wherein each pair of automated flaw contol valves is sepa- rated hy at least one best exchanger and wlercin the heat ‘exchange medium recirculation system cooperates with the hat exchangers to heat gas Mowing through the compressed natural pas ualoading system to apredetermined temperate. 2, The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 1, further comprising an inlet valve through which highly pressurized compressed natural gas is received into the sys- 3. The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 2, farther comprising an outlet valve through which gas is ‘dischanged from the system at a discharge pressure that is lower than the pressure at which highly pressurized com- pressed natural zs s received int the syste Oct. 6, 2016 4. The compressed natural gas unloading system of el 1, further comprising surge vessel disposed in fluid com- ‘munication wih the yas ow Ties between at leat to sue- cessive flow control valves and heat exchanger 5. The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim ‘3, comprising atleast three automated flow control valves {isposed between the inlet valve and the outlet valve ‘6. The compressed natural gastunloading system of clan 1 ‘wherein a gas flow line disposed between two successive ‘aulomated flow control valves is divided into two dierent How paths that each passthrough a diferent heat exchanger and are then recombined 7. The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 6 wherein a surge vessel is conligured to be selectively placed in uid communication withthe recombined different flow pas. 8. The compressed natural gos unloading system of aim 1 wherein the heat exchange’ medium recirculation syste ‘comprises contained heat exchange medium, at least one hater forthe heat exchange medium, at least one pump, and 4 fluid recirculation loop configured to recreulate the heat exchange medium thnugh the hewter, pump and heat exchangers. 9. The compressed natural gos unloading system of claim wherein the heat exchange medium comprises a mixture of ‘water and ethylene give. 10, The compressed natural gas unloading system of elaim 8 wherein the heater is configured to be fueled by a minor portion of lower-pressure gs that is diverted to the heater ‘owastream ofthe lst heat exchanger, 11, The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 10 wherein the minor portion of lower pressure yas that is vented to the heater downstream ofthe lst heat exchanger hhasa flow rate that i concolled by an automated ow control valve installed ina as flow Tine t the heater. 12, The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 8 further comprising 2 second heater configured to maintain the best exchange medium at temperature that is within a ‘arrow range ofthe predetemtined temperature. 13, The eompressed natural gas unloading system of claim 12 whercin the second heater i an inline electrical eter. 14, The compressed natural gas unloading system of elaim 12 wherein the narrow range i predetermined temperature plus or minis one degree. 15, The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 1 wherein the automated flv contol valves ane monitored and controlled by 2 preprogrammed PLC. 16, The compressed natural gas unloading system of elaim 1 mounted ona transportable skid, 17, The compressed natural pas unloading system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchangers are shell and tube heat exchangers configured to rovireulate the heat exchange ‘medium countercurrent 10 the flow of pressurized CNG through the heat exchangers. 18, The compressed natural gas unlowding system of eam 3 configured to receive and process compressed natural gas faving an inlet presstire ranging from about 3000 to abot 4200 PSI 19, The compressed natural yas unloading system of claim 18 configured to receive and process compresied natural pas having an inlet pressure ranging Irom about 3250 to about 3600 PSI 20. The compressed natural gas unloading system of claim 18 configured fo reduce the pressure ofthe compressed nate US 2016/0290563 Al ral gas from the inlet pressure to a delivery pressure ranging {rom about 80 to abodt 125 PSI. 21. A method for use ia unloading compressed natural gas from a transport vessel by reducing the gas pressure Irom ‘bout 3000 to 4200 PSI io lower predetermined delivery pressure by contolling a low of the compressed natural yas Through gas flow lines providing fhuid communication between. series of paired, automated fow contro valves that ‘cooperate to lower the gas pressure tothe predetermined level, while also heating the reuced-pressure gas to predeter ined temperature by lowing the gas though a plurality of hat exchangers wherein atleast one heat exchanger is dis- posed inline between exch pair of automated flow control Valves and wherein a heat exchange medium recirculation system cooperates with the heat exchangers to heat the dliv= ered yas. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the gas pressure is reduced fom about 3250 to about 3600 PSI wo a lower pre- determined delivery pressure 23, The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined dalivery pressure ranges from about 80 to about 125 PSI. 24, The method of claim 21 wherein the predetermined temperature of the delivered gas ranges from about 50 to ‘about 115° F. 25, The method of claim 21 wherein the heat exchange rei system comprises a contained heat ‘exchange medium, atleast one heater forthe heat exchange medium, atleast one pump, and a fuid recirculation foo ‘configured to recitculate the heat exchange medium through the heater, pump and heat exchangers 126, The method of elaim 28 wherein the heat exchangers are shell and tube heat exchangers having a tube side and a shel side through which the pressurized gas flows inside the tube side and the heat exchange medium flows through the shel side in a direction that is substantially countercurrent to the gas low. Oct. 6, 2016 27, The method of claim 25 wherein the heat exebange medium isa mixture of water and elllene glycol 28. The method of claim 25 wherein « minor portion of the redueed-pressure gas discharged downstream of a last heat ‘exchanger in the pluniiy of heat exchangers is diverted ‘through flow contol valveto theheater for seas fel gas 10 reba the heat exchange medium, 29, The method of claim 28 wherein the heat exchange ‘medium recirculation system comprises a second heater that is configured to maintain a temperature in the beat exchange ‘medium that is within a narrow range. 30. The method ofelaim 29 wherein the second heaterisan inline electric heater, 31, The method oF claim 29 wherein the natrow range is pus or minus one degree. 32. The method of elaim 21 wherein the gas flow between wo succestive automated How contol valves is divided into two dillerent flow paths, each of which passes through ferent heat exchanger, that are then recombine. 33, The method of claim 32 wherein surge vessel is

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