Fuel Purification System with UV Radiation Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel tanks in high humidity environments suffer from biological contamination due to water condensation, leading to algae growth, corrosion, and costly manual cleaning, with existing chemical solutions being ineffective and laborious.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive system for fuel tank disinfection and purification, incorporating a filtration system, ultraviolet or infrared radiation chamber, self-priming centrifugal pump, high-pressure discharge hose, and automatic filter self-cleaning, which removes water and microorganisms using variable radiation, ensuring thorough cleaning and disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical products are used to solve biological contamination in fuel tanks, then some disinfection effect is achieved, but they are not effective and manual cleaning becomes very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical disinfection methods with a physical system combining mechanical filtration and ultraviolet radiation. The filtration system mechanically removes contaminants while UV radiation provides chemical-free disinfection, eliminating the need for costly manual cleaning and ineffective chemical products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ultraviolet radiation chamber as an intermediary between filtration and fuel storage. This UV chamber acts as a mediator that disinfects fuel after filtration, providing a complete solution that addresses both physical contaminants and biological contamination without requiring manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning and disinfection is performed, then fuel tank contamination is removed, but the process is extremely costly and the problem returns in a short period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously filtering and disinfecting fuel before it enters the storage tank through the integrated filtration and UV radiation system. This preventive approach eliminates biological contamination upfront, preventing algae growth and corrosion before they occur, rather than requiring repeated corrective cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuity of useful action through the constant operation of the pump, filtration system, and UV radiation chamber. This continuous treatment ensures fuel remains free from biological contamination throughout storage, eliminating the cyclical need for manual cleaning and extending the time between maintenance operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tank is not cleaned 100%, then some contamination remains, but the integrity of the ship or pleasure craft is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces incomplete manual cleaning with a comprehensive mechanical filtration system that achieves 100% cleaning effectiveness. The filtration system physically removes all contaminants including algae, bacteria, and corrosion products, while UV radiation ensures complete disinfection, protecting ship structural integrity without requiring manual intervention.
4Reliability
If filtration and radiation systems are added to the machine, then fuel purification effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtration system and UV radiation chamber into a single integrated fuel treatment unit. The pump, filters, and radiation chamber are combined in one machine that processes fuel through a continuous sequence of operations, achieving high purification effectiveness while minimizing the space and complexity compared to separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal fuel treatment machine that handles multiple functions: mechanical filtration of solid contaminants, separation of water and sediments, and UV disinfection of biological contaminants. This multi-functional device replaces multiple separate systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive fuel purification effectiveness.
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 prevents biological contamination, maintains fuel quality, and extends the lifespan of fuel tanks by removing microorganisms and corrosive residues, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring engine operation integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation chamber (3), configurable for the application of ultraviolet light type A, B, C with different wavelength combinations, since ultraviolet light can be used successfully as a germicide and bactericide
Implementation Method 2
the radiation chamber (3) can also be configured for use by means of infrared rays on the filtered fuel
Implementation Method 3
a pump responsible for circulating the fuel inside the machine (preferably a self-priming centrifugal pump)
Implementation Method 4
a centrifuge (6) with a turbine filter (6') to remove the water contained in the fuel
Implementation Method 5
a filtration system comprised of a coarse-grain filter (2) and a fine-grain filter (2') configured to filter the fuel received through the intake port
Data Source
AI summary
A machine, a filtration system and a method for disinfection and purification in fuel tanks located in places with high humidity or high relative humidity, having a machine (1) with an inlet for the fuel from the tank, a filtration system of a coarse-grain filter (2) and a fine-grain filter (2′); a radiation chamber (3) configurable for the application of radiation to the filtered fuel; a pump (4); a flowmeter (5) with at least two electrovalves (17); a centrifuge (6) with a turbine filter (6′) and control via an electrical panel (7); a cleaning machine (1); a suction hose (8) with an extendable suction lance (9); a high-pressure discharge hose (11); a return hose (12); a system for the opening and sealing of the tank (25); and an automatic filter self-cleaning system which reverses the flow, sending the fouled fuel to an additional tank (14) where it is drained.