Heating Value Estimation for Marine Fuel via Density and Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating the heating value of residual fuels, such as medium fuel oil (MFO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO), require laboratory analysis, making online monitoring of fuel quality and engine efficiency impossible, expensive, and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that measure fuel temperature and density in real-time, using a fuel flow measurement assembly and control entity to derive a temperature-adjusted fuel density, enabling the calculation of heating value for online estimation of fuel quality, engine efficiency, and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory analysis is used to determine fuel heating value, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and loss of cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional laboratory mechanical/chemical analysis system with an online measurement system that uses temperature and density sensors combined with computational algorithms to estimate heating value in real-time, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct chemical composition analysis to physical parameters (temperature and density) that can be measured continuously online, and uses computational methods to transform these physical measurements into heating value estimates
2Measurement precision
If laboratory analysis is used to determine fuel heating value, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex laboratory analysis equipment with simpler online sensors and computational algorithms, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capability through algorithmic processing of temperature and density data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of fuel properties through computational algorithms that replicate laboratory analysis results using readily available temperature and density measurements, eliminating the need for expensive physical laboratory equipment
3Measurement precision
If laboratory analysis is used to determine fuel heating value, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time monitoring of fuel quality through online temperature and density measurements, allowing uninterrupted productivity while maintaining measurement precision through continuous algorithmic processing rather than periodic laboratory analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the discontinuous laboratory analysis process with a continuous online measurement and computation system that operates throughout engine operation, significantly improving productivity while maintaining measurement accuracy through real-time data processing
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments include a method for analysis of fuel supplied to a combustion engine during operation of the engine. The method can include obtaining respective indications of a temperature of the fuel supplied to the engine and a density of the fuel supplied to the engine; deriving a temperature-adjusted fuel density based on the indicated density of fuel in dependence of relationship between the indicated temperature of the fuel and a predefined reference temperature; and deriving, based at least on the temperature-adjusted fuel density, a heating value that is descriptive of the amount of heat released during combustion of a predefined amount of the fuel.