Accelerated Fuel Oxidation Test via Pressure Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the oxidation resistance of fuels are time-consuming, typically taking 6-8 hours, and are hindered by fuels with additives that slow down oxidation, making it difficult to achieve accurate results within existing standards.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for accelerated oxidation determination involving a pressure vessel where the fuel sample is heated to over 100°C, with a heater and ultrasound, and pressure monitoring to detect a 10% drop in absolute pressure as the breaking point, reducing test time and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the oxidation determination is carried out at 100°C according to standards, then the test conditions are standardized and comparable, but the determination time becomes very long (6-8 hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestandardizationVSAvoiddetermination time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from the standard 100°C to a higher temperature range of 120-180°C. This parameter change accelerates the oxidation reaction rate, reducing the determination time from 6-8 hours to just a few minutes, while still providing meaningful oxidation resistance data for fuel evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic temperature control with rapid heating capability, allowing the system to quickly reach the elevated test temperature and maintain it precisely. This dynamic approach enables fast temperature changes and maintains optimal test conditions throughout the accelerated oxidation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If additives are present in the fuel to slow down oxidation, then the fuel stability is improved, but the oxidation determination cannot achieve the required ramp steepness for accurate results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel stabilityVSAvoidbreaking point detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By elevating the temperature to 120-180°C, the patent overcomes the inhibiting effect of oxidation inhibitors and additives. The increased thermal energy accelerates the oxidation reaction enough to produce a measurable pressure drop ramp, enabling accurate breaking point detection even in the presence of stability-enhancing additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pure oxygen at elevated pressure (up to 700 kPa) combined with high temperature to create strongly accelerated oxidation conditions. This intense oxidizing environment overcomes the resistance provided by fuel additives, ensuring sufficient reaction rate for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If a large sample volume of 50 ml is used according to standards, then the test represents real fuel conditions, but the heating time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverepresentativenessVSAvoidheating energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a smaller sample volume (3-20 ml) that copies the essential oxidation behavior of full-sized fuel samples. The reduced volume requires significantly less heating energy and reaches thermal equilibrium faster, while still providing representative oxidation resistance data through the same pressure drop measurement principle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Productivity

If the temperature is rapidly increased to over 100°C, then the determination time is reduced, but the risk of explosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest speedVSAvoidexplosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates safety measures including pressure relief mechanisms and controlled oxygen pressure (up to 700 kPa) to cushion against potential explosion risks. The system is designed with inherent safety features that prevent runaway reactions while enabling rapid temperature increase to accelerate the oxidation test.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 method significantly reduces oxidation determination time to around 7% of the standard method, enhances accuracy, and improves safety by minimizing the risk of explosion and allowing for automated operation, with improved repeatability and reduced handling risks.

Implementation Method 1

the sample is changed to a desired temperature by at least one means arranged in the pressure vessel and/or in the sample Temperature is brought and

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it is further provided that ultrasound is applied to the pressure vessel and/or sample.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

the pressure in the pressure vessel is monitored to determine oxidation. According to the invention, a temperature of over 100 °C is specified.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP1734364B1Method and device for accelerated determination of the oxidation of fuels or mineral oil products and a computer program for controlling such a device and a corresponding computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2014.10.15 ANTON PAAR PROVETEC GMBH
  • EP1734364B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP1734364B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP1734364B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for the accelerated determination of the oxidation of fuels or petroleum products, as well as a computer program for controlling such a device and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which are particularly suitable for simulating the aging of fuels or petroleum products. For this purpose, a device for the accelerated determination of the oxidation of fuels or petroleum products is proposed, wherein the device comprises a pressure vessel (1) for receiving samples (2) of the fuels or petroleum products, and the pressure vessel (1) includes at least one means for changing the temperature.A corresponding method provides that a sample (2) of fuel or mineral oil product is introduced into a pressure vessel (1), the sample (2) is brought to a predetermined temperature above 100°C by means of at least one temperature-changing device arranged in the pressure vessel (1) and/or in the sample (2), and the absolute pressure value is monitored in order to determine the oxidation.