Fuel Agitation System for Preventing Vegetable Oil Solidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-petroleum based organic fuels like vegetable oil can stagnate and solidify in storage tanks, making them unsuitable for use in engines and requiring frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A fuel storage system that includes a fuel agitation system using air pumps and filters to prevent stagnation and solidification by agitating the fuel, ensuring it remains suitable for combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If non-petroleum based organic fuels are stored in a fuel storage tank, then the fuel can be stored for use by the engine, but the fuel can stagnate and solidify in the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic agitation through a rotating agitator that periodically mixes the stored fuel to prevent stagnation and solidification. The agitator rotates at controlled intervals to maintain fuel mobility without requiring continuous operation, thus preserving fuel usability over extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating element serves as an intermediary component that applies thermal energy to the fuel to prevent solidification. The heating element acts as a mediator between the storage environment and the fuel, maintaining optimal temperature conditions to keep the fuel in a usable liquid state during storage.
2Device complexity
If fuel is stored without agitation, then the storage system is simpler, but the fuel stagnates and requires frequent engine cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through an automated agitation mechanism that continuously or periodically mixes the fuel without requiring external intervention. This self-agitating system prevents fuel stagnation and subsequent engine contamination, reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining manageable system complexity through integration of the agitation components within the existing storage infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vegetable oil is stored in the fuel tank, then alternative fuel storage is achieved, but the oil solidifies and prevents engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature parameters through controlled heating to maintain vegetable oil in a liquid state suitable for engine operation. By monitoring and adjusting the thermal parameters of the stored fuel, the system prevents solidification while preserving the adaptability to use alternative fuels. The heating intensity is modulated based on ambient conditions and fuel characteristics.
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 keeps non-petroleum based organic fuels in a usable state, preventing stagnation and solidification, thus maintaining engine functionality and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel agitation system coupled to the fuel storage tank and operable to agitate a fuel that is stored in the fuel storage tank
Implementation Method 2
a fuel agitation system coupled to the fuel storage tank and operable to agitate a fuel that is stored in the fuel storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for powering a vehicle. The systems and methods provide techniques for agitating fuel stored in a fuel storage tank and then combusting that fuel to power a vehicle.