Fuel Separator Probe for Water Detection and Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel delivery systems face challenges with premature corrosion due to acidic environments and contamination from water and particulate matter, which existing solutions like fuel additives and maintenance practices are ineffective in addressing.
Innovation Solution
A control system comprising a controller, monitor, and remediation system that detects corrosive environments and automatically takes corrective actions, combined with a filtration system that uses an eductor to divert contaminated fuel from the bottom of storage tanks to a filter, removing water and particulate matter before it reaches the dispensation pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuel additives (biocides and corrosion inhibitors) are used to control corrosion, then corrosion protection is improved, but the additives become depleted over time and cause fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing fuel flow itself to drive the filtration process through an eductor device. The kinetic energy of the flowing fuel creates a vacuum that automatically draws water and contaminants from the tank bottom without requiring additional power sources or chemical additives. This self-service approach eliminates additive depletion issues while maintaining continuous corrosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts water and particulate matter from the fuel stream using a separation chamber and eductor system. By removing these harmful contaminants physically rather than chemically treating them, the system avoids additive depletion and fouling while maintaining reliable corrosion protection.
2Reliability
If rigorous water maintenance practices are implemented, then water and contaminant removal is improved, but the maintenance is time-consuming and disfavored by operators
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system operates continuously whenever fuel flows through the dispenser, automatically removing water and contaminants in real-time. This eliminates the need for periodic manual maintenance interventions, as the useful action of fuel dispensing simultaneously drives the filtration process without requiring separate maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs water removal automatically using the fuel flow itself to power the eductor device. No operator intervention or dedicated maintenance time is required - the system serves itself by utilizing the normal fuel dispensing operation to drive contaminant removal.
3Reliability
If a filtration system using an eductor is implemented, then water and particulate matter removal is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic principles where the flowing fuel itself creates the vacuum pressure needed for water removal through the eductor device. This eliminates the need for electrical motors, sensors, or complex control systems - the fluid dynamics of the fuel flow alone power the entire filtration process, maintaining simplicity while achieving effective contaminant removal.
4Measurement precision
If probes for flow and water level detection are used, then detection precision is improved, but the probe design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe integrates multiple detection functions into a single device - it simultaneously detects water level, fuel flow presence, and potentially other parameters. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without requiring separate probes for each parameter, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 limits acidic corrosion and removes contaminants from fuel, preventing adverse effects on vehicles and maintaining the integrity of fuel delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
a water float buoyant on a quantity of water; a probe shaft having a longitudinal axis, the water float restrained for displacement along a longitudinal axis of the probe shaft
Implementation Method 2
a portion of pressurized fuel delivered by the dispensation pump is diverted to an eductor designed to create a vacuum by the venturi effect. This vacuum draws fluid from the bottom of the storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. One or more sensors may be employed to signal proper operation of the remediation system.