Fuel Agitation System Using Thermal Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-petroleum based organic fuels, such as 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
1Quantity of substance
If non-petroleum based organic fuels are stored in a fuel storage tank, then fuel storage capacity is improved, but the fuel may stagnate and solidify making it unsuitable for use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary agitation action by circulating pumpable fuel from the storage tank through a heat exchanger and back, preventing the fuel from stagnating and solidifying before it is needed for engine operation. This preliminary circulation action maintains fuel liquidity and suitability for combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel circulation system operates continuously or periodically to maintain continuous agitation and prevention of stagnation. The pumpable fuel is continuously circulated through the heat exchanger, ensuring ongoing prevention of solidification and maintenance of fuel usability throughout storage periods.
2Device complexity
If fuel is stored without agitation, then storage simplicity is improved, but the fuel solidifies and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the fuel's own pumpable properties to circulate it through the heat exchanger, creating a self-service agitation mechanism that prevents solidification without requiring external intervention. The fuel circulates autonomously based on temperature differential, eliminating the need for complex external agitation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical agitation devices with a thermal circulation mechanism. Instead of using mechanical stirrers or pumps, the invention uses heat exchange to create natural circulation currents that agitate the fuel, simplifying the overall system while preventing stagnation and solidification.
3Reliability
If fuel is circulated through heat exchanger, then fuel agitation is improved preventing solidification, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel circulation through the heat exchanger operates periodically rather than continuously. The system activates circulation during storage periods when temperature drops, and can be deactivated when fuel temperature is sufficient, reducing energy consumption while maintaining fuel liquidity prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the fuel by circulating it through the heat exchanger, which prevents solidification. By controlling temperature parameters and using thermal energy rather than mechanical energy, the system achieves fuel agitation with reduced energy consumption compared to mechanical alternatives.
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 the fuel in a usable state, preventing stagnation and solidification, thus maintaining engine functionality and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger coupled to the pumpable fuel storage tank and operable to heat or cool the pumpable fuel
Implementation Method 2
a fuel circulation system coupled to the pumpable fuel storage tank and operable to circulate the pumpable fuel through the heat exchanger and back to the pumpable fuel storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
Systems to store and agitate fuel can include a fuel storage tank and a fuel agitation system coupled to the fuel storage tank and operable to agitate a fuel that is stored in the fuel storage tank. The fuel agitation system can include an elongate fuel agitation member with a lumen, an air passageway in pneumatic communication with the elongate fuel agitation member, and a circular disk connected to the elongate fuel agitation member and having a plurality of valves. The air passageway can be coupled to the elongate fuel agitation member by a rotational coupling located in the fuel tank and pneumatically actuated by air flow from the air passageway to cause the elongate fuel agitation member to rotate. Each of the plurality of valves can be in pneumatic communication with the elongate fuel agitation member to release air into the fuel in the fuel storage tank.