Fuel Conditioning Assembly Water Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispensing environments face challenges with water and debris entering fuel storage tanks, leading to fuel degradation and microbial-induced corrosion, which requires costly active measures for cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel conditioning assembly with a water intake device is introduced, which includes a housing with a storage volume, an inlet for receiving pressurized fuel, an outlet for fuel exit, and a port for drawing in water. The assembly uses a vacuum source and filter media to separate and remove water from the fuel, preventing contamination and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passive prevention measures (vent line caps, inlet seals) are used, then water entry is prevented, but small amounts of water still cause fuel degradation and require costly active cleaning measures
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel conditioning assembly performs preliminary water removal action continuously or periodically before water can cause significant fuel degradation. The vacuum source creates negative pressure to draw water out through the water outlet before it accumulates to harmful levels, preventing the need for costly active cleaning measures later.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a portion of the pumped fuel itself to generate the vacuum pressure needed for water removal. The vacuum source draws from the fuel line to create suction, allowing the fuel system to service itself without external intervention or additional energy sources.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If active cleaning measures (truck-mounted filtration systems) are used, then contamination is removed, but the tank must be shut down causing lost sales
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel conditioning assembly operates continuously or periodically without requiring tank shutdown. The water removal process occurs while the tank remains in service, maintaining continuous fuel dispensing operations and preventing lost sales. The system integrates into the existing fuel delivery infrastructure, allowing simultaneous fuel pumping and water removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary water removal continuously, preventing contamination buildup that would require later shutdown for cleaning. By addressing water accumulation proactively rather than reactively, the system eliminates the need for costly active cleaning measures that interrupt operations.
3Device complexity
If water is allowed to accumulate, then passive prevention is maintained, but microbial-induced corrosion and fuel degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing fuel pumping infrastructure to generate vacuum pressure for water removal. A portion of the pumped fuel is diverted to the vacuum source, which then draws water out through the water outlet. This self-service approach maintains system simplicity while actively preventing microbial contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pneumatic principles using the vacuum source to create negative pressure differential. This pressure differential draws water out of the fuel through the water outlet, providing active water removal while maintaining relatively simple system architecture without complex mechanical moving parts.
4Quantity of substance
If the entire tank is pumped for water removal, then water can be drained, but this is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The water intake device selectively extracts only the water portion from the fuel mixture using vacuum suction. The water outlet draws out water through dedicated pathways while the fuel continues to be pumped normally. This selective extraction removes water efficiently without requiring complete tank emptying or lengthy settling periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The water removal process occurs continuously or periodically during normal fuel operations rather than requiring complete tank shutdown and lengthy pumping cycles. The vacuum source operates intermittently or continuously to maintain water levels below harmful thresholds, significantly reducing time loss compared to traditional complete tank pumping methods.
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 fuel conditioning assembly effectively removes water from fuel storage tanks, preventing fuel degradation and microbial-induced corrosion, thereby reducing maintenance costs and ensuring continuous fuel dispensing operations.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing outlet is operative to selectively apply a vacuum to the outlet of the housing so that liquid can be drawn into the housing via the port
Implementation Method 2
The assembly uses a vacuum source and filter media to separate and remove water from the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A method of deploying a water intake device in a fuel storage tank involves providing a water intake device having an elongate flow structure including at least one flexible flow tube and an elongate substrate adjacent to the flow tube, wherein the substrate provides a semi-rigid characteristic that allows the elongate flow structure to be guided. Another step of the method involves providing a guide tube having a straight portion and an arcuate portion at a distal end of the guide tube. Another step of the method involves installing the guide tube generally vertically into a fuel storage tank with the arcuate portion directed toward a desired guidance direction. Another step of the method involves moving the elongate flow structure of the water intake device through the guide tube into a deployed position.