Biodiesel Blending Control for Accurate Distillate Concentrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blending biodiesel into diesel streams are limited, as they cannot accurately achieve target concentrations when biodiesel is already present in the stream, and are challenging on multi-product pipelines due to the risk of contamination with incompatible fuels, particularly aviation turbine fuels.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that measures the actual biodiesel content in a distillate stream and adjusts the blending rate using a central processing unit to achieve target biodiesel concentrations without exceeding limits, while ensuring biodiesel is only added to distillate streams and not to incompatible fuels, using a regulating valve and biodiesel stream in liquid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If biodiesel is blended into distillate streams using conventional methods, then biodiesel can be added to meet regulatory requirements, but the system cannot accurately achieve target concentrations when biodiesel is already present in the stream
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback control mechanism where an analyzer continuously measures the actual biodiesel content in the distillate stream, and a control system adjusts the biodiesel injection rate based on the difference between measured and target concentrations. This closed-loop feedback enables accurate achievement of target concentrations even when biodiesel is already present in the stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the incoming distillate stream's biodiesel content before blending operations begin. This preliminary action allows the control system to calculate the required injection rate in advance, ensuring accurate target concentration achievement from the start of the blending process.
2Productivity
If biodiesel blending is performed on multi-product pipelines, then fuel distribution efficiency is improved, but the risk of contamination with incompatible fuels such as aviation turbine fuels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary identification mechanism that determines whether the distillate stream is compatible with biodiesel blending before the blending operation commences. The control system acts as an intermediary gatekeeper, permitting or preventing biodiesel injection based on stream identification, thereby preventing contamination of incompatible fuels while maintaining productivity on multi-product pipelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the blending operation based on real-time identification of the distillate stream. The blending rate and injection status are made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to respond to changing pipeline conditions and fuel types, ensuring compatibility while maintaining distribution efficiency.
3Device complexity
If conventional blending methods are used, then simple equipment is required, but the system lacks the capability to prevent contamination and achieve precise target concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a measurement analyzer, a stream identifier for contamination prevention, and a blending rate controller. This universal system consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated control platform, achieving reliable contamination prevention and precise concentration control without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Methods are provided for accurately blending biodiesel into distillate streams to achieve a pre-determined percentage of biodiesel in the distillate, applicable to wild-type distillate streams as well as distillate streams that already contain some percentage of biodiesel.