Methods for mixing non-compliant transport mixture (transmix) into gasoline streams

Abstract

Method for mixing transport mixture (transmix) containing distillates such as diesel fuel into certified gasoline streams which can be burned in internal combustion engines without affecting the certification of the gasoline or the efficiency or functionality of the engine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for blending off-spec transport mix (transmix) into gasoline using controlled blending techniques. Surprisingly, methods have been developed that allow transport mix containing diesel and other distillate fuels to be blended into certified gasoline streams that can be combusted in internal combustion engines without further modification, without affecting the certification of the gasoline or the efficiency or functionality of the engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A transport mix is ​​created when products of different specifications are transported sequentially in a pipeline. The pipeline operator might transport a volume of distillate (jet fuel or ultra-low sulfur diesel, etc.) followed by a volume of gasoline intended for automobiles. When these two products meet at an interface in the pipeline, a quantity of off-spec product, known as a transmix, is created. Because no mechanical buffer is used to prevent the two products from mixing and becoming contaminated at this interface, the transport mix does not meet approved specifications for most fuel products and cannot be used commercially without further processing.

[0003] In the United States, pipelines transport motor gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, naphthas, LPG, diluents, butane, propane, pentane, and other hydrocarbon products in the same pure pipeline. Both refineries and petroleum terminals operate these common carrier pipelines in varying sizes, or batches. A batch is the volume of product transported in the pipeline that meets a predefined set of product specifications. Pipeline companies and various regulatory agencies publish product specifications that pipeline transporters must meet before their products enter the pipeline. The pipeline company must ensure that the products it ultimately delivers to commerce meet these specifications.Transporters must provide certified analysis of products they place into the pipeline to confirm that their products meet the relevant specifications.

[0004] All multi-product pipelines generate a volume of transport blend that cannot be marketed for commercial use. This transport blend may, for example, be composed of pre-certified gasoline (including pre-certified gasoline blendstocks that become commercial gasoline only through the addition of an oxygenate), distillate fuel (such as diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and heating oils), and other certified product types. Problems associated with creating a transport blend are particularly acute when diluent, ultra-low sulfur diesel, aviation fuel, and gasoline are transported side by side.

[0005] The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") defines boundary layer and transport mixture in regulations at 40 CFR 80.84, and prescribes procedures that pipeline operators must follow when disposing of a transport mixture. A transport mixture typically requires reprocessing before it can be remarketed commercially. The value of a transport mixture is therefore lower than that of the hydrocarbon products from which the transport mixture is derived, and it is in the commercial interest of pipelines and pipeline carriers to minimize this transport mixture.

[0006] Currently, pipeline operators monitor the specific gravity, flash point, turbidity, and color of batch products to determine when a transport mix is ​​present and when in-spec products are in the pipeline. Based on their standard operating procedures, pipeline operators will direct the transport mix to a transport mix storage tank when it reaches a designated junction in the pipeline, where it can be stored for potential transport to a transport mix processing facility. After the transport mix is ​​completely drained from the pipeline, and in-spec products are once again flowing past that junction, the operator will resume product flow through the pipeline and direct the in-spec product to other tanks in the tank farm for potential customer and commercial distribution.

[0007] A pipeline-derived transport mix is ​​typically processed either on-site or off-site by separating the distillate fraction from the gasoline fraction, typically via distillation. The distillate fraction will typically include different types of distillate that the pipeline has transported, and the gasoline fraction will typically include different types of gasoline that the pipeline has transported. After separation, these fractions are occasionally added back to tanks of distillate or gasoline at a tank farm. If these transport mix fractions are added to a fuel tank previously certified to meet applicable specifications, the product in the tank often must be recertified.This recertification process includes several specifications, most notably for sulfur, which can be introduced into the transport blend pool from high-sulfur fuels such as aviation fuel, fuel oils, or high-sulfur diesel. Although the sulfur in transport blend pools is principally derived from distillate streams, the sulfur can contaminate both distillate and gasoline fractions, thereby limiting the amounts of transport blend distillate and transport blend gasoline that can be blended back into certified fuels. See Robbins et al., US Publication 2020 / 0291316 A1 (published September 17, 2020).

[0008] Jones JD et al., Hydrocarbon Processing (May 2000 issue), pp. 85-89, describe an integrated two-tower process in which the first tower separates a transport blend into diesel and gasoline fractions, and the second tower separates the diesel into high-sulfur and low-sulfur fractions. This publication mentions that the transport blend fractions can be blended into on-spec products, but it does not provide details on how such blending might occur.

[0009] EPA Regulatory Notice 420-F-06-039 (May 2006) discusses quality assurance requirements for a transport mix, particularly as they relate to RBOB, and states that in locations where it is inconvenient or cost-prohibitive to send the transport mix to a processing facility, a transport mix is ​​occasionally blended back into gasoline in very small percentages (<0.25%).

[0010] Thermo Scientific, SOLA ® II Sulfur Online Analyzer (accessed at https: / / assets.thermofisher.com / TFS-Assets / LSG / Specification-Sheets / D10617-.pdf on January 17, 2018), discloses the SOLA ® II Sulfur Online Analyzer, and states that the analyzer “enables petroleum refiners to make process adjustments early to increase the economic efficiency of desulfurization and fuel blending operations.”

[0011] X-Ray Optical Systems, Sindie ® On-Line Sulfur Analyzer (accessed at https: / / www.bartec.de / ProdCatalogue / Assets / Datasheets / 1ng_0 / Sindie_E.pdf on 17 January 2018), reveals the Sindie ® On-Line Sulfur Analyzer, and states that the analyzer is useful for "pipeline terminals: boundary layer cuts and tank contamination prevention," including "continuous monitoring with programmable response times: -10 seconds: ideal for pipeline boundary layer cuts."

[0012] Jiskoot Quality Systems, In-Line Blending Systems (accessed from http: / / www.jiskoot.com / files / 1114 / 1691 / 7164 / BB001_In_Line_Blending.pdf on January 17, 2018), discloses: "Diesel Blending: Higher-spec, lower-cost diesel can be produced through in-line blending. Mixers can be designed to use major components directly from process units to minimize intermediate storage in tanks. Using sulfur analyzers, the blended diesel can be produced to a precise environmental specification."

[0013] Jiskoot Quality Systems, Ratio Blending Calculator (accessed at http: / / www.jiskoot.com / services / calculations / ratio-blending-index / on January 17, 2018), discloses: "This online calculator, designed for blending two liquid hydrocarbons, will assist you in developing the optimal blend ratio and specification for your application. It will calculate the blend ratio (volume or mass) required to achieve the target blend density, viscosity, or sulfur parameters based on component specifications."

[0014] Mattingly et al., WO 2007 / 124058 (published November 1, 2007), disclose versatile systems for continuously blending butane into petroleum streams, and further disclose a sulfur sampling and monitoring unit that ensures that the butane feed does not exceed specified limits for sulfur in butane blended into the gasoline. The sampling unit "draws samples of butane from the butane supply line, preferably at least once every 500,000 gallons, and the sulfur content of the samples is determined either offline in a laboratory or inline using an automated sulfur monitoring unit that allows the butane to be returned to the butane supply line after testing."

[0015] What is needed are processes and systems for recycling transport blends back into commercial fuel streams without causing the commercial fuel streams to violate pre-specified limits on relevant physical properties. Ideally, the processes and systems can be operated continuously, and the captured commercial fuel stream can be continuously certified after blending, confirming that the fuel stream meets relevant standards and specifications.

[0016] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to blend a transport mix, even a transport mix contaminated with diesel fuel, into commercial gasoline streams in a manner that does not impair the performance of the resulting gasoline. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] After extensive research and investigation, the inventors have developed versatile systems and methods for blending a distillate-contaminated transport mixture into gasoline streams that meet applicable ASTM standards and industry specifications, before and after blending.

[0018] Thus, in a first main embodiment, the invention provides a system for blending an off-specification distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream without violating a physical property limit in the gasoline, comprising: (a) a gasoline stream comprising a gasoline flow rate; (b) a transport mixture stream in fluid communication with the gasoline stream comprising distillate and a transport mixture flow rate; (c) a blend stream comprising a combination of the transport mixture stream and the gasoline stream comprising a blend flow rate, a blend physical property value, and distillate;(d) an IPU having the physical property limit stored thereon, programmed to calculate a ratio or rate at which the transport blend stream may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and a measured value for the physical property of the blend stream; (e) a sampling device and physical property analyzer at a sampling location on the blend stream in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to take samples from the blend stream, measure the physical property of the blend stream, and transmit or make available the measured physical property to or for the IPU;and (f) a flow controller interposed between the transport mixture and gasoline streams, in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to receive or retrieve the rate or ratio from the IPU and adjust the transport mixture flow rate without exceeding the rate or ratio.;

[0019] In a second main embodiment, the invention provides a method for blending off-spec distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream, producing a blend stream without violating a predetermined physical property limit in the gasoline stream, comprising: (a) periodically sampling the blend stream, measuring the physical property of the blend stream by an analyzer, and transmitting or making available via electronic communication the physical property measurement to or for an IPU; (b) calculating in the IPU a ratio or rate at which the transport mixture stream can be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and the physical property measurement of the blend stream;and (c) communicating the ratio or rate to a flow controller, and adjusting a rate of flow of the transport mixture stream through the flow controller into the gasoline stream without exceeding the rate or ratio;

[0020] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an overview plan of a mineral oil tank farm suitable for blending distillate-contaminated transport mix into certified gasoline streams. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONDefinitions and usage of expressions

[0022] References are made throughout this application to various publications. The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to more fully describe the prior art to which this invention pertains. The disclosed references are also individually and specifically incorporated by reference for the material contained therein, which is discussed in the sentence in which the reference is referenced.

[0023] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, the phrase "a specification" refers to one or more specifications for use in the presently disclosed methods and systems. "A hydrocarbon" includes mixtures of two or more such hydrocarbons, and the like. The word "or" or similar expressions as used herein mean any item from a particular list and also include any combination of items from that list.

[0024] As used in this specification and in the claims that follow, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises," mean "including, but not limited to," and are not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers, or steps. Where an element is described as comprising one or more than one or more than one of a plurality of components, steps, or conditions, it is to be understood that the element may also be described as "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of" the component, step, or condition, or the plurality of components, steps, or conditions.

[0025] When used herein, the term "about" is intended to accommodate variability inherent in the petroleum industry and hydrocarbon products. Whenever the term "about" is used, it is understood that the term may be replaced by 5% or 10% in alternative embodiments to accommodate any variation within 5% or 10% of the stated specification or standard.

[0026] Whenever percentages, concentrations or other units of measurement are given here, it is understood that the units of measurement are in weight percent unless otherwise stated.

[0027] When flow rates are given here, or relative flow rates such as percentage additions are given here, it is understood that the flow rate is a volumetric flow rate unless otherwise stated.

[0028] When ranges are represented herein by specifying alternative upper and lower limits of the range, it is understood that the endpoints may be combined in any way that is mathematically possible. For example, a range from 50 or 80 to 100 or 70 may alternatively be represented as a series of ranges from 50 to 100, from 50 to 70, and from 80 to 100. When a series of upper limits and lower limits are related using the phrase "and" or "or," it is understood that the upper limits may be unconstrained by the lower limits or combined with the lower limits, and vice versa. For example, a range of higher than 40% and / or lower than 80% includes ranges of higher than 40%, lower than 80%, and higher than 40% but lower than 80%.

[0029] Where an element of a method or thing is defined by reference to one or more examples, components, properties, or characteristics, it is understood that any or any combination of those components, properties, or characteristics may also be used to define the subject matter. This could be the case, for example, if specific examples of an element are listed in a claim (such as in a Markush grouping), or if an element is defined by a plurality of characteristics.Thus, for example, if a claimed system comprises element A defined by elements A1, A2 and A3, in combination with element B defined by elements B1, B2 and B3, the invention is also understood to cover a system defined by element A without element B, a system in which element A is defined by elements A1 and A2, in combination with element B defined by elements B2 and B3, and all other possible permutations.

[0030] "ASTM" refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials. Whenever reference is made herein to a petroleum subtype, it is understood that the subtype is defined by its normally accepted meaning, and that it may also be more specifically defined by specifications and test methods prescribed by ASTM in its various publications. For example, aviation turbine fuel may be defined by reference to ASTM 1655-15de1, and diesel fuels may be defined by reference to ASTM D975-15c. When a product is defined by an ASTM standard for a particular petroleum subtype, it is understood that the product need not have been tested according to the ASTM standard to meet the standard.Unless otherwise indicated, when reference is made herein to an ASTM standard, reference is made to the ASTM standard in effect on January 1, 2022, and the ASTM standard is incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] The term "distillate" as used herein refers to those fuels commonly referred to in the petroleum industry as "middle distillates." "Middle distillates" is a term commonly used to describe petroleum products obtained during the crude oil distillation process in the "mid" boiling range of approximately 180°C-360°C. They are also called middle distillates because the products are removed at mid-height in the distillation column during the multi-stage thermal separation process. A middle distillate is typically a clear, colorless to light yellow, flammable liquid. It typically has between eleven and eighteen carbon atoms, a density no higher than 0.876 kg / l at 15°C, and a flash point above 38°C. Middle distillates primarily include diesel fuel, marine fuels, aviation turbine fuel, non-aviation turbine fuel, heating oil, and kerosene.In all cases where the term is used, a distillate stream, or a type of distillate stream such as a diesel stream, refers to a stream of distillate conveyed through a common carrier petroleum pipeline that meets the specifications imposed by the common carrier and applicable to a common transportation.

[0032] The term “distillate transport mix” refers to any transport mix containing both gasoline and transport mix and contaminated with distillate in any of the distillate percentages listed here.

[0033] "Diesel fuel" and "finished diesel fuel" are used interchangeably herein and refer to a petroleum-derived liquid fuel used in diesel engines whose fuel ignition occurs without any spark as a result of compression of the intake air mixture and fuel injection. Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons with boiling points typically in the range of 200 to 380°C. Diesel fuel used in the present invention preferably meets the test requirements specified in ASTM D975. "Ultra-low sulfur diesel" refers to diesel with a sulfur content of less than 15 ppm. "Low sulfur diesel" refers to diesel with a sulfur content of less than 500 ppm.

[0034] "Finished gasoline" and "finished motor gasoline" are used interchangeably and refer to gasoline suitable for combustion in spark-ignition vehicles without further modifications. Finished gasoline will typically meet ASTM Specification D 4814 or Federal Specification VV-G-1690C and is characterized by having a boiling range of 122 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10 percent recovery point to 365 to 374 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90 percent recovery point.

[0035] "Gasoline" and "motor gasoline" are used interchangeably. Gasoline is a complex mixture of relatively volatile hydrocarbons, with or without small amounts of additives, blended to form a fuel suitable for use in spark-ignition engines. The term includes finished gasoline, as well as fuels intended to be blended with oxygenates such as ethanol and MTBE. Thus, gasoline includes conventional gasoline; oxygenated gasoline such as gasohol; reformulated gasoline; reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate; conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate; and aviation gasoline. In all cases, the gasoline is downstream of a petroleum refinery and meets specifications imposed by commercial fuel pipeline companies.

[0036] “Conventional Blendstock for Blending with Oxygenate” or “CBOB” means motor gasoline blending components intended for blending with oxygenates to produce conventional finished motor gasoline.

[0037] “Reformulated Blendstock for Blending with Oxygenate” or “RBOB” refers to motor gasoline blending components intended for blending with oxygenates to produce reformulated finished motor gasoline.

[0038] “Super Blendstock for Blending with Oxygenate” or “PBOB” refers to motor gasoline blending components intended for blending with oxygenates to produce reformulated super finished motor gasoline.

[0039] "Conventional gasoline" means finished motor gasoline that is not included in the categories of oxygenated or reformulated gasoline. Consequently, the term excludes RFG, RBOB, CBOB, and blendstocks.

[0040] "Reformulated gasoline (RFG)" refers to finished gasoline formulated for use in motor vehicles, the composition and properties of which meet the requirements of the reformulated gasoline regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 211(k) of the U.S. Clean Air Act and effective January 1, 2019. Reformulated gasoline excludes reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate (RBOB).

[0041] "Aviation gasoline" or "avgas" is a complex mixture of relatively volatile hydrocarbons, with or without small amounts of additives, blended to form a fuel suitable for use in spark-ignition aircraft engines. Avgas is available in several grades, all manufactured according to an ASTM standard (D910), with specific physical properties and specific permitted and required additives (such as tetraethyl lead - TEL).

[0042] "Fluid communication" refers to the connection of a pipe to a source of a fluid within the same facility. Optionally, the connection may be through a conduit that can be closed or whose flow can be modulated, such as by a valve. The connection may be any of the following: a hatch or opening in the side of the pipeline; a branch pipe within the pipeline; an injection-enabling fixture at a joint of the pipeline; a smaller secondary pipe extending into the interior of the pipeline; or any other means that allows a fluid to flow into the pipeline. Optionally, the flow may be constant, variable, or intermittent. Thus, a first stream separated from a transport mixture stream by a storage tank within the same facility would still be considered to be in fluid communication with the first stream.In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the fluid flow into the pipe can be modulated or stopped by means of this connection.

[0043] "Tank farm" means any facility containing a number of large storage tanks for petroleum products, one or more pipelines with an off-site origin for delivering petroleum products to the tank farm, and typically including loading skids with which tank trucks can be filled. The methods and systems of the present invention will typically be found at a tank farm. A tank farm of the present invention will be downstream of a petroleum refinery.

[0044] "Information database" or "IDB" refers to a data storage system capable of receiving, storing, and outputting data. The information database communicates with or is accessible to other information databases, IPU(s), component(s), system(s), and device(s) encompassed by the methods and systems of the present invention. When an IDB is modified by the term "a," it is understood that the invention contemplates that one or more IDBs can perform the function described for the IDB. Similarly, when the text refers to two or more IDBs for performing individual functions without specifically stating that the IDBs are different, it is understood that the two or more IDBs can be the same or different.

[0045] "Information processing unit" and "IPU" mean a computing unit useful for at least one of retrieving, receiving, processing, distributing, and storing data. The IPU may receive data either passively or by explicitly requesting or searching for data on a separate information system. Where an IPU is modified by the term "an," it is to be understood that the invention contemplates that one or more IPUs may perform the function described for the IPU; that the same IPU may perform more than one of the functions described for IPUs in the relevant text; and that the functions described for IPUs in the relevant text may be distributed among multiple IPUs.Therefore, where the text refers to two or more IPUs for performing individual functions without specifically stating that the IPUs are different, it is understood that the two or more IPUs may be the same or different.

[0046] Whenever it is stated here that data or a signal is transmitted between two IPUs or between an IPU and an information database, or when other words of similar meaning such as "communicated," "transmitted," "delivered," or "provided" are used, it is understood that the transmission may be indirect, as if an intermediary IPU receives and forwards the signal or data. It is also understood that the transmission may be passive or active.

[0047] "Obtaining" data or other information means obtaining such information. In some embodiments, information is obtained by performing physical measurements. In other embodiments, information is obtained by receiving measurement data from a separate source. Discussion of main embodiments

[0048] The invention can be defined based on several main embodiments, which can be combined in any physically and mathematically possible manner to produce additional main embodiments. In a first main embodiment, the invention provides a system for blending off-specification distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream without violating a physical property limit of the gasoline, comprising: (a) a gasoline stream comprising a gasoline flow rate; (b) a transport mixture stream in fluid communication with the gasoline stream comprising distillate and a transport mixture flow rate; (c) a blend stream comprising a combination of the transport mixture stream and the gasoline stream comprising a blend flow rate, a blend physical property value, and distillate;(d) an IPU having the physical property limit stored thereon, programmed to calculate a ratio or rate at which the transport blend stream may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and a measured value for the physical property of the blend stream; (e) a sampling device and physical property analyzer at a sampling location on the blend stream in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to take samples from the blend stream, measure the physical property of the blend stream, and transmit or make available the measured physical property to or for the IPU;and (f) a flow controller interposed between the transport mixture and gasoline streams, in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to receive or retrieve the rate or ratio from the IPU and adjust the transport mixture flow rate without exceeding the rate or ratio.;

[0049] In a second main embodiment, the invention provides a method for blending off-spec distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream, producing a blend stream without violating a predetermined physical property limit in the gasoline stream, comprising: (a) periodically sampling the blend stream, measuring the physical property of the blend stream by an analyzer, and transmitting or making available via electronic communication the physical property measurement to or for an IPU; (b) calculating, in the IPU, a ratio or rate at which the transport mixture stream can be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and the physical property measurement of the blend stream;and (c) communicating the ratio or rate to a flow controller, and adjusting a rate of flow of the transport mixture stream through the flow controller into the gasoline stream without exceeding the rate or ratio; Discussion of sub-embodiments

[0050] The invention may further be understood in terms of various sub-embodiments, which may modify any of the main embodiments. It is understood that these sub-embodiments may be combined in any way that is both mathematically and physically possible to produce additional sub-embodiments, which in turn may modify any of the main embodiments. It is also understood that any of the features of the methods of the present invention apply equally to the systems of the present invention, and vice versa. However, in describing the systems of the present invention, certain technical language that is more appropriate when defining a system may be used.

[0051] In each of the embodiments of the present invention, the physical property used to control the rate of blending in gasoline streams is selected from octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur concentration, and combinations thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, physical property limits are established for all four physical properties, and the rate of blending is controlled to prevent violation of any of the four limits. In another particularly preferred embodiment, chemometrics (as further discussed below) is used to measure one or more of the physical properties, often using a chemometric data set for more than one of the physical properties, with which blending is controlled.

[0052] A particular advantage of the invention is the ability to blend large percentages of transport mix into gasoline, even if that transport mix is ​​contaminated by a significant percentage of distillate, without affecting the efficiency or performance of the vehicle in which the fuel may be burned or the certification of the gasoline into which the transport mix is ​​blended. The transport mix is ​​preferably contaminated by a distillate selected from diesel fuel, marine fuel, jet fuel, non-jet fuel, heating oil, kerosene, and combinations thereof, most preferably diesel fuel in the percentages recited herein.

[0053] In each of the embodiments of the present invention: • the transport blend stream may comprise more than 10% distillate; and the transport blend may be blended into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%, and typically less than 10% or 5%. • the transport blend stream may comprise more than 20% distillate; and the transport blend may be blended into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%, and typically less than 10% or 5%. • the transport blend stream may comprise more than 35% distillate; and the transport blend may be blended into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%, and typically less than 10% or 5%. • the transport blend stream may comprise more than 50% distillate; and the transport blend may be blended into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%, and typically less than 10% or 5%. • the transport mixture stream may comprise more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 80% distillate. • the transport mixture stream may preferably comprise more than 50% distillate. • the transport mixture may be blended into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%. • the transport mixture may be mixed into the gasoline stream preferably at a rate equal to or higher than 0.5%.

[0054] Mixing may take place along a variable fuel transfer pipe (also referred to as a common carrier multi-product pipeline) that transfers a variety of different petroleum types, including gasoline (regular and premium), diesel fuel (various grades), heating oil, and / or aviation fuel. Alternatively, mixing may take place in a pipe dedicated to the transfer of a particular fuel type. In one embodiment, mixing takes place in a circulation loop, a pipe that exits and returns to the same petroleum tank.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the system is installed on a pipeline transferring multiple batches of different fuel types. Blending will occur into gasoline streams, but will stop when prohibited blending streams pass the blending point. Generally, any non-gasoline stream defined herein will trigger a blending stop signal, but certified diesel streams and ultra-low sulfur diesel streams should especially be avoided. Thus, the methods are typically used for blending into multiple gasoline types, and the gasoline stream will comprise a plurality of batches selected from the group consisting of regular finished gasoline, premium finished gasoline, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, premium blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated gasoline, and aviation gasoline.

[0056] The flow rate of the gasoline stream may remain constant over time, or it may vary. If the flow rate varies, real-time measurements of the gasoline stream flow rate (or, by proxy, the blending stream flow rate) are preferably performed, and the transport blend addition rate is calculated based on the actual flow rate of the gasoline stream.

[0057] The rate at which the transport mixture is added to the gasoline stream is preferably determined by the relative pressures of the gasoline and the transport mixture at the flow regulator, with the transport mixture pressure being higher than the gasoline pressure. The pressure of the transport mixture is preferably controlled by a coordinated pump and valve system, as shown in more detail in the accompanying figures.

[0058] Some sub-embodiments relate to the location at which the samples are returned to the system. Thus, in one sub-embodiment, the methods of the present invention include returning the samples to the gasoline upstream of the gasoline sampling location, and the systems include piping configured to achieve this return.

[0059] The transport blend will typically include middle distillates selected from diesel fuel, marine fuels, jet fuel, non-jet fuel, heating oil, and kerosene, and gasolines selected from conventional gasoline, oxygenated gasoline, reformulated gasoline, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, and aviation gasoline. Most typically, the transport blend will include a combination of gasoline subtypes and a combination of distillate subtypes. The transport blend could also include sub-grade gasoline, diluent, propane, pentane, butane, and combinations thereof. In various sub-embodiments, the transport blend will include more than 20, 50, 100, 250, or even 500 ppm sulfur.

[0060] In the systems and methods of the present invention, the transport mixture will typically have a sulfur concentration higher than the sulfur concentration of the gasoline stream. The sulfur concentration in the transport mixture may, in various embodiments, be greater than 110%, 120%, 150%, 250%, 500%, 1,000%, 2,500%, or even 5,000% of the sulfur concentration of the gasoline stream into which the transport mixture is blended. The transport mixture may, in various embodiments, be blended into the gasoline stream at rates greater than 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 5% of the flow rate of the gasoline stream, typically less than 10% or 5% of the flow rate of the gasoline stream.

[0061] The systems are particularly versatile, allowing a transport mixture comprising different types of mineral oil within the same boiling point range to be blended into a single stream type. Thus, a transport mixture can be blended into a gasoline stream, even though the transport mixture could include marine fuel, jet fuel, non-jet fuel, heating oil, kerosene, or a combination thereof, and the transport mixture could contain more than 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or even 5,000 ppm sulfur.

[0062] Similarly, a distillate transport mixture including two or more types of gasoline could be blended into a gasoline stream. For example, a distillate transport mixture comprising two or more types of gasoline selected from conventional gasoline, oxygenated gasoline, RFG, RBOB, CBOB, and aviation gasoline can be blended into a gasoline stream selected from conventional gasoline, oxygenated gasoline, RFG, RBOB, CBOB, and aviation gasoline.

[0063] The sampling device is typically located on the blended fuel stream after the transport blend has been blended with the gasoline stream, downstream of the flow controller, known as a feedback control system. When multiple physical property limits are imposed on the blended gasoline stream, all of which are at risk of being violated, the blended fuel typically has each physical property measured, the amount of transport blend that can be added without violating the physical properties is calculated for each physical property, and the lowest calculated rate is used as the maximum addition rate for the transport blend stream.Methods for determining the rate at which a transport mixture can be added to a gasoline stream without violating specified physical properties are known in the art and are described, for example, in WO 2020 / 185837 A1 by Robbins et al., and US 8,176,951 B1 by Mattingly et al., and US 9,080,111 B1 by Huff et al. The method does not need to be perfect, since if the physical property is slightly exceeded by the increased addition, it is quickly corrected during the next round of physical property measurements. For this reason, volumetric averaging may be the simplest and most practical technique for making such determinations.

[0064] Downstream monitoring is also well-adapted for generating records documenting the addition rate or amount of sulfur in the blending stream, or other physical properties of the gasoline stream after blending. Thus, in one sub-embodiment, the systems and methods further comprise measuring an actual downstream sulfur content or other physical property in the blending stream, associating in an information database the resulting actual downstream sulfur content or other physical property with a time point to provide associated temporal data; recording the associated temporal data in an information database; and periodically repeating the process. In a particular sub-embodiment, the time point in the information database is received from an external source.

[0065] One or more of these physical properties may be monitored, depending on the type of mineral oil, preferably at a frequency of at least every 10 minutes, five minutes, 60 seconds, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, or 10 seconds, and regardless of the physical property being monitored. The hydrocarbon is preferably analyzed by: (a) taking a sample of the hydrocarbon from the stream; (b) transferring the sample to an analysis unit; and (c) either returning the sample to the system or transferring the sample to a separate storage unit. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy

[0066] NIR spectroscopy is a common tool used in the oil and gas industry. NIR requires no special sample preparation, has a short acquisition time, and allows for online measurement in a non-intrusive manner. This is critical for the oil and gas industry because the product, as crude oil or refined fuel, remains in pipelines for almost its entire life cycle.

[0067] There are two ways to perform an online NIR measurement. Either a submersible probe or a flow cell are used. Submersible probes are most commonly used for Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) measurements in process control and can operate in either transmission or reflection mode, depending on the sample's transmittance. For crude oil, reflectance is typically used, while for refined fuels, transmission may be most appropriate. In addition to submersible probes, flow cells are commonly used. In this case, the sample flows directly through the cell where the spectrum is measured, and a measurement is performed exclusively in transmission mode. Typically, a flow cell probe allows the acquisition of spectra of a fluid flowing in a pipeline at high pressure, while a submersible probe is designed for measuring at pressures close to atmospheric pressure.

[0068] A large number of properties are now measured using NIR spectroscopy in refineries, with the ultimate goal being to ensure quality and optimize the manufacturing process. These properties include, without limitation, RON (Research Octane Number), MON (Motor Octane Number), cetane value, % aromatics, % olefins, % benzene, and % oxygenates, up to RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure), D10%, D50%, D90%, pour point, cloud point, and temperature limit of filterability or E170. Suitable NIR analyzers are the OMA 300 from Applied Analytical, with a spectral range of 400-1100 nm, and the ANALECT ® PCM™ series from Applied Instrument Technologies, with a spectral range of 833-8333 nm, the HP260X from ABB, with a spectral range of 714-2630 nm, the XDS Process Analytics™ from FOSS NIR Systems Inc., with a spectral range of 800-2200 nm, and the PetroScan™ from Light Technology Industries, Inc., with a spectral range of 1200-2400 nm. Chemometrics

[0069] "Chemometry" is a term used for a general discipline involving computational and mathematical techniques for obtaining meaningful chemical information from samples of varying complexity (Workman, JJ, Jr (2008), "NIR spectroscopy calibration basics," in: Burns, DA and Ciurczak, EW (eds.), "Handbook of Near-Infrared Analysis," 3rd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL). In chemometrics, a computer is engaged in the task of interpreting NIR spectra from a variety of samples using a variety of multivariate mathematical techniques. These techniques are used to construct a mathematical calibration model.

[0070] In routine NIR analysis, the spectra should be pretreated to enhance informative signals of the components of interest and reduce non-informative signals as much as possible (Pantoja PA et al., Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Characterization of Petroleum, in Analytical Characterization Methods for Crude Oil and Related Products, first edition, edited by Ashutosh K. Shukla, published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.). Smoothing, multiplicative scatter correction, mean centering, and Savitzky-Golay derivation are commonly used to pretreat spectra prior to modeling to remove the scattering effect caused by diffuse reflectance and to reduce baseline shift, overlapping peaks, and other adverse effects on the signal-to-noise ratio (Boysworth, MK and Booksh, KS (2008), Aspects of multivariate calibration applied to near-infrared spectroscopy, in: Burns, DAand Ciurczak, EW (ed.), Handbook of Near-Infrared Analysis, 3rd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.).

[0071] NIR spectra are ultimately calibrated so that the observed spectrum relates, in a predictive manner, to a property of interest. With calibration, it is possible to predict relevant physicochemical properties of an unknown hydrocarbon that precisely match reference information of those properties. In the method of this invention, the reference information is generated from pipeline samples, which are simultaneously acquired with spectral information at the pipeline to generate a chemometric dataset. The main calibration methods include, as described by López-Gejo et al., 2008, principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares (PLS) regression, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) (López-Gejo, J., Pantoja, PA, Falla, FS, et al. (2008), Electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, in: Petroleum Science Research Progress, Publisher, Inc., 187-233).

[0072] Thus, in further methods and systems of the present invention, the distillation value is obtained as the physical property by generating a spectral response of the blended gasoline stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response with a chemometric data set specific for the physical property in the blended stream.

[0073] In further methods and systems of the present invention, the octane value as the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the blended gasoline stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response to a chemometric data set specific for the physical property in the blended stream.

[0074] In further methods and systems of the present invention, the value of the Reed vapor pressure as the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the blended gasoline stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response with a chemometric data set specific for the physical property in the blended stream.

[0075] In still further methods and systems of the present invention, the chemometric data set is created by taking two or more samples from a blended stream; measuring the physical property of the samples offline; simultaneously taking two or more samples, obtaining a spectral response of the blended gasoline in the pipeline using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer; and correlating the spectral response with the measured physical property of the samples. Discussion of the embodiments shown

[0076] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to Fig. 1 taken. Fig. 1 is an overview plan of a petroleum tank farm / distribution facility in which a transport mix recycling system 1 of the present invention has been installed for blending distillate transport mix into gasoline.

[0077] Transport mix recycling system 1 includes a transport mix storage tank 2 in which quantities of distillate transport mix produced in the tank farm are stored. During operation, transport mix is ​​withdrawn from transport mix storage tank 2 through transport mix line 3 under the driving of a pump 4 before entering injection skid 5. In injection skid 5, the rate of the transport mix flow is controlled by flow controller 6, from which the transport mix is ​​ultimately injected or introduced into gasoline stream 7 at injection / introduction point 8.

[0078] Gasoline stream 7 will comprise a certified fuel stream that meets relevant ASTM standards. Gasoline stream 7 may be supplied from another on-site tank located in Fig. 1 is not shown, or from a pipeline from off-site. The stream may include any type of gasoline as defined in this document, including conventional gasoline, reformulated gasoline, CBOB, and RBOB, and will typically include multiple batches of different gasoline types.

[0079] The gasoline is converted into a blended gasoline stream 9 after the distillate injection / introduction point 8. Samples are taken from the blended gasoline stream and relevant physical properties are measured. Fig. 1, samples are periodically taken from the blended gasoline stream and analyzed using a fast product loop 10, which circulates blended gasoline samples to and from blended gasoline line 9, and to and from a two-part sample conditioning element 12 in analyzer assembly 11. Blended gasoline samples are periodically passed from conditioning element 12 to one or more analyzers through lines 12a and 12b for measuring the physical properties of the blended stream.

[0080] Two analyzers (13 and 14) are in Fig.1, which preferably measure two or more physical properties selected from sulfur concentration, RVP, distillation temperature, and octane. It is understood that more analyzers may be used depending on the capability of the analyzer and the number of physical properties tested. From analyzers 13 and 14, samples are introduced into lines 13a and 14a, respectively, and subsequently recombined in stream 15, stored in sample recovery tank 16, and subsequently returned to blended gasoline stream 9, preferably when blended gasoline stream 9 comprises gasoline, and even more preferably when blended gasoline stream 9 comprises the same type of gasoline as the samples. OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0081] [Embodiment 1] A system for blending off-spec distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream without violating a physical property limit in the gasoline, comprising: a) a gasoline stream comprising a gasoline flow rate; b) a transport mixture stream in fluid communication with the gasoline stream comprising distillate and a transport mixture flow rate; c) a mixed stream comprising a combination of the transport mixture stream and the gasoline stream comprising a mixed flow rate, a mixed physical property value, and distillate; d) an IPU having the physical property limit stored thereon, programmed to calculate a ratio or rate at which the transport blend stream may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and a measured value for the physical property of the blend stream; (e) a sampling device and a physical property analyzer at a sampling point on the mixed stream in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to take samples from the mixed stream, measure the physical property of the mixed stream, and transmit or make available the measured physical property to or for the IPU; and f) a flow controller interposed between the transport mixture and gasoline streams, in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to receive or retrieve the rate or ratio from the IPU and adjust the transport mixture flow rate without exceeding the rate or ratio.

[0082] [Embodiment 2] The system of embodiment 1, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of batches selected from the group consisting of regular finished gasoline, premium finished gasoline, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, super blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated gasoline, and aviation gasoline.

[0083] [Embodiment 3] The system of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches.

[0084] [Embodiment 4] The system of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches, further comprising programming that causes mixing to cease when distillate passes the flow controller.

[0085] [Embodiment 5] The system of any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 80% distillate.

[0086] [Embodiment 6] The system of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 50% distillate.

[0087] [Embodiment 7] The system of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%.

[0088] [Embodiment 8] The system of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.5%.

[0089] [Embodiment 9] The system of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the distillate is selected from diesel fuel, marine fuel, aviation turbine fuel, non-aviation turbine fuel, heating oil, kerosene, and combinations thereof.

[0090] [Embodiment 10] The system of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the physical property is selected from octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur concentration, and combinations thereof.

[0091] [Embodiment 11] The system of any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein the physical property comprises a combination of octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, and sulfur concentration.

[0092] [Embodiment 12] The system of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response to a chemometric data set specific to the physical property in the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream.

[0093] [Embodiment 13] A method for blending off-spec distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream, producing a blended stream without violating a predetermined limit of a physical property in the gasoline stream, comprising: a) periodically taking samples from the mixed stream, measuring the physical property of the mixed stream by an analyzer, and transmitting or making available via electronic communication the physical property measurement to or for an IPU; b) calculating in the IPU a ratio or rate at which the distillate transport mixture may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and the physical property measurement of the mixed stream; and c) communicating the ratio or rate to a flow controller, and adjusting a rate of flow of the distillate transport mixture through the flow controller into the gasoline stream without exceeding the rate or ratio.

[0094] [Embodiment 14] The method of embodiment 13, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of batches selected from the group consisting of regular finished gasoline, premium finished gasoline, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, premium blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated gasoline, and aviation gasoline.

[0095] [Embodiment 15] The process of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches.

[0096] [Embodiment 16] The method of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches, further comprising terminating the mixing when distillate passes the flow regulator.

[0097] [Embodiment 17] The process of any of embodiments 13-16, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 80% distillate.

[0098] [Embodiment 18] The process of any of embodiments 13-17, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 50% distillate.

[0099] [Embodiment 19] The method of any of embodiments 13-18, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%.

[0100] [Embodiment 20] The method of any of embodiments 13-19, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.5%.

[0101] [Embodiment 21] The process of any one of embodiments 13-20, wherein the distillate is selected from diesel fuel, marine fuel, aviation turbine fuel, non-aviation turbine fuel, heating oil, kerosene, and combinations thereof.

[0102] [Embodiment 22] The process of any one of embodiments 13-21, wherein the physical property is selected from octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur concentration, and combinations thereof.

[0103] [Embodiment 23] The process of any of embodiments 13-22, wherein the physical property comprises a combination of octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, and sulfur concentration.

[0104] [Embodiment 24] The method of any of embodiments 13-23, wherein the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response to a chemometric data set specific to the physical property in the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream.

[0105] Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2020 / 0291316 A1

[0007] WO 2007 / 124058

[0014] WO 2020 / 185837 A1

[0063] US 9,080,111 B1

[0063] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Jones JD et al., Hydrocarbon Processing (May 2000 edition), pp. 85-89

[0008] https: / / www.bartec.de / ProdCatalogue / Assets / Datasheets / 1ng_0 / Sindie_E.pdf

[0011] http: / / www.jiskoot.com / files / 1114 / 1691 / 7164 / BB001_In _Line_Blending.pdf

[0012] http: / / www.jiskoot.com / services / calculations / ratio-blending-index /

[0013] US Clean Air Act and in force since January 1, 2019

[0040] Robbins et al., and US 8,176,951 B1 by Mattingly

[0063] Workman, JJ, Jr (2008), NIR spectroscopy calibration basic, in: Burns, DA and Ciurczak, EW (eds.), Handbook of Near-Infrared Analysis, 3rd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL

[0069] Pantoja PA et al., Application of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Characterization of Petroleum, in Analytical Characterization Methods for Crude Oil and Related Products, first edition, edited by Ashutosh K. Shukla, published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[0070] Boysworth, MK and Booksh, KS (2008), Aspects of multivariate calibration applied to near-infrared spectroscopy, in: Burns, DA and Ciurczak, EW (eds.), Handbook of Near-Infrared Analysis, 3rd edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

[0070] Lopez-Gejo, J., Pantoja, PA, Falla, FS, et al. (2008), Electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, in: Petroleum Science Research Progress, Publisher, Inc., 187-233

[0071] .

Claims

[1] A system for blending off-spec distillate transport mix (Transmix) into a gasoline stream without violating a physical property limit of the gasoline, comprising: a) a gasoline stream comprising a gasoline flow rate; b) a transport mixture stream in fluid communication with the gasoline stream comprising distillate and a transport mixture flow rate; c) a mixed stream comprising a combination of the transport mixture stream and the gasoline stream comprising a mixed flow rate, a mixed physical property value, and distillate; d) an IPU having the physical property limit stored thereon, programmed to calculate a ratio or rate at which the transport blend stream may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and a measured value for the physical property of the blend stream; (e) a sampling device and a physical property analyzer at a sampling point on the mixed stream in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to take samples from the mixed stream, measure the physical property of the mixed stream, and transmit or make available the measured physical property to or for the IPU; and f) a flow controller interposed between the transport mixture and gasoline streams, in electronic communication with the IPU, electronically configured to receive or retrieve the rate or ratio from the IPU and adjust the transport mixture flow rate without exceeding the rate or ratio. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of batches selected from the group consisting of regular finished gasoline, premium finished gasoline, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, super blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated gasoline, and aviation gasoline. [3] The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches. [4] The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches, further comprising programming that causes mixing to cease when distillate passes the flow controller. [5] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 80% distillate. [6] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 50% distillate. [7] A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%. [8] A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.5%. [9] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distillate is selected from diesel fuel, marine fuel, aviation turbine fuel, non-aviation turbine fuel, heating oil, kerosene, and combinations thereof. [10] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the physical property is selected from octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur concentration, and combinations thereof. [11] A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the physical property comprises a combination of octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, and sulfur concentration. [12] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response with a chemometric data set specific for the physical property in the gasoline stream, blending stream, and / or transport blending stream. [13] A method for blending off-spec distillate transport mixture into a gasoline stream, producing a blended stream without violating a predetermined limit of a physical property in the gasoline stream, comprising: a) periodically taking samples from the mixed stream, measuring the physical property of the mixed stream by an analyzer, and transmitting or making available via electronic communication the physical property measurement to or for an IPU; b) calculating in the IPU a ratio or rate at which the distillate transport mixture may be added to the gasoline stream based on the physical property limit and the physical property measurement of the mixed stream; and c) communicating the ratio or rate to a flow controller, and adjusting a rate of flow of the distillate transport mixture through the flow controller into the gasoline stream without exceeding the rate or ratio. [14] The method of claim 13, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of batches selected from the group consisting of regular finished gasoline, premium finished gasoline, conventional blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated blendstock for blending with oxygenate, super blendstock for blending with oxygenate, reformulated gasoline, and aviation gasoline. [15] A process according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches. [16] The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the gasoline stream comprises a plurality of gasoline batches periodically separated by one or more distillate batches, further comprising terminating the mixing when distillate passes the flow regulator. [17] A process according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, or 80% distillate. [18] A process according to any one of claims 13-17, wherein the transport mixture stream comprises more than 50% distillate. [19] A method according to any one of claims 13-18, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or 3%. [20] A method according to any one of claims 13-19, wherein the transport mixture is mixed into the gasoline stream at a rate equal to or greater than 0.5%. [21] The process of any one of claims 13-20, wherein the distillate is selected from diesel fuel, marine fuel, aviation turbine fuel, non-aviation turbine fuel, heating oil, kerosene, and combinations thereof. [22] A process according to any one of claims 13-21, wherein the physical property is selected from octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur concentration, and combinations thereof. [23] A process according to any one of claims 13-22, wherein the physical property comprises a combination of octane, distillation temperature, Reid vapor pressure, and sulfur concentration. [24] A method according to any one of claims 13-23, wherein the physical property is obtained by generating a spectral response of the gasoline stream, blend stream, and / or transport blend stream using absorption spectroscopy with a near-infrared analyzer, and comparing the spectral response with a chemometric data set specific for the physical property in the gasoline stream, blend stream, and / or transport blend stream.

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