3__________________________________________________________________________ estimated value runs 5 and 6 were conducted with the same batch of gel after no solubilization of nitrogen was detected in run 5 the pressure in the ullage was reduced to less than the vapor pressure of methane and this caused the gel to boil and assured the removal of any dissolved nitrogen the gel was then maintained at the vapor pressure of methane for sufficient time to allow temperature equilibrium to the contents to 280 u00b0 f run 6 was initiated using a 20 psia partial pressure of nitrogen instead of 15 psia as used in run 5 a significant portion of the 0 9 cc volume increase measured in run 6 may actually be due to the experimental errors in the measurement temperature variation could lead to an 0 47 cc increase in volume these foregoing data show that with sufficient gel structure present in the liquid methane the solubilization rate of nitrogen in liquid methane is negligible and the required gel structure can be achieved with less than 2 weight percent gelant present in the methane the solubilization rate of air in the gelled liquid methane and or natural gas of this invention is also negligible the foregoing data was compiled under certain absolute pressures in the general vicinity of or slightly above atmospheric pressure it is expressly noted however that these are not limiting pressures for the present invention it is apparent that when the gelled liquid is shipped or transported in bulk e g on ocean vessels or in large bulk storage tanks the gelled liquid will normally be under atmospheric pressure in other instances it might be desirable to subject the gelled liquid to less than atmospheric pressure although under such conditions a greater amount of boil off is.