Alternate Fuel Storage System with Interstitial Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel systems for internal combustion engines face inefficiencies when using alternate fuels like straight vegetable oil and biodiesel, as these fuels tend to congeal or solidify, requiring heating and leading to delays and increased diesel fuel consumption due to heat energy loss and reverse heat transfer issues.
Innovation Solution
A fuel storage system with an inner and outer shell creating an interstitial volume filled with a gas or thermally insulative material, along with a heating unit to maintain fuel temperature, and sensors for viscosity and temperature control, allowing for efficient heat transfer and reduced diesel fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If alternate fuel is stored in a conventional fuel storage vessel and heated using diverted engine coolant, then the fuel temperature can be maintained, but heat energy is continuously lost to the surrounding atmosphere causing the fuel to congeal and solidify, requiring reheat cycles and increasing diesel fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating layer (vacuum, gas, or thermal insulative material) between the fuel storage vessel and the external environment. This intermediary barrier reduces heat transfer from the fuel to the surrounding atmosphere, minimizing heat energy loss and preventing fuel congealment without requiring additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal insulation measures in advance by surrounding the fuel storage vessel with an insulating structure before heat loss occurs. This preemptive insulation cushioning prevents the fuel from losing heat to the environment, thereby avoiding the need for repeated reheat cycles and reducing diesel fuel consumption.
2Loss of substance
If the engine is turned off to save diesel fuel, then diesel consumption is reduced, but the alternate fuel rapidly loses heat energy and congeals, requiring a reheat cycle and corresponding delay upon next use
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer acts as a thermal barrier that maintains fuel temperature during engine shutdown periods. By preventing heat loss to the environment, the fuel remains in a usable liquid state without requiring continuous engine operation or auxiliary heating, thus eliminating both diesel consumption and heating delays.
3Reliability
If weather phenomena such as snow or rain occur, then heat energy loss increases potentially overcoming the heat energy from diverted coolant, but the patent structure allows the insulation to maintain fuel temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating structure serves as a protective intermediary that shields the fuel from external weather phenomena. By creating a thermal barrier between the fuel and the external environment (snow, rain, cold air), the system maintains reliable fuel temperature even under adverse weather conditions without requiring additional energy input.
4Temperature
If initial engine coolant temperature is lower than alternate fuel temperature, then reverse heat transfer occurs removing latent heat energy from the fuel, but the insulation prevents this reverse heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer acts as a thermal intermediary that prevents reverse heat transfer from occurring. By blocking heat exchange between the fuel and the external environment, the insulation ensures that the fuel temperature is maintained regardless of the coolant temperature, eliminating the need for complex temperature monitoring and control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains alternate fuel viscosity, reducing heating delays and diesel fuel consumption by minimizing heat loss and ensuring fuel readiness for engine use without the need for continuous engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured and positioned to transfer heat energy to fuel stored within the inner shell
Implementation Method 2
an outer shell configured and positioned relative to the inner shell such that an interstitial volume is created between the inner and outer shells; in some embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with a gas; in other embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with at least one thermally insulative material
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel tank for storing an alternate fuel and providing the fuel to an internal combustion engine includes: an inner shell with an internal cavity designed to store fuel; an outer shell configured and positioned relative to the inner shell such that an interstitial volume is created between the inner and outer shells; and a heating unit positioned in the interstitial volume. In some embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with air; in other embodiments, the interstitial volume is filled with a thermally insulative material.