Mobile Fuel Measurement Unit for Accurate Custody Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current onboard systems for monitoring fuel transfer operations in fuel-intensive industries like shipping lack mobility and remote reporting capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in tracking and verifying fuel quantities during fueling operations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile measurement unit (MMU) equipped with an air eliminator, mass flow meter, recirculation tank, temperature sensor, user interface, and transceiver, allowing for accurate measurement and remote reporting of fuel transfer parameters such as mass flow, density, and temperature, and enabling real-time data display and transmission to a remote location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If onboard systems are used for monitoring fuel transfer operations, then measurement capability is provided, but mobility and remote reporting capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a mobile measurement unit with skid-mounted equipment, separate from fixed onboard infrastructure. This segmentation allows the measurement system to be easily deployed and repositioned while maintaining measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile measurement unit acts as an intermediary between the fuel transfer operation and the vessel's onboard systems. This intermediate mobile platform provides measurement capabilities without requiring permanent installation on the vessel, enabling both accuracy and mobility.
2Loss of information
If traditional monitoring systems are used, then fuel transfer monitoring is achieved, but real-time remote reporting capability is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time data transmission capabilities that provide continuous feedback on fuel transfer operations. The mobile measurement unit transmits measurement data remotely, enabling real-time monitoring and reporting without requiring complex centralized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical or manual reporting systems are replaced with electronic data transmission and remote communication capabilities. This substitution enables real-time remote reporting while actually reducing overall system complexity compared to centralized mechanical systems.
3Productivity
If air is present in the fuel stream during measurement, then measurement process continues, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air eliminator extracts and removes air from the fuel stream before the fuel reaches the measurement device. This extraction of the harmful air component ensures accurate mass flow measurement while maintaining continuous fuel transfer operations without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Air removal is performed as a preliminary action before the fuel enters the measurement system. By eliminating air beforehand, the measurement process receives pre-conditioned fuel that ensures accurate readings without requiring interruptions to the fuel transfer process.
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 MMU provides accurate, mobile, and remote monitoring of fuel transfers, reducing measurement inaccuracies and enabling real-time data access for stakeholders, thereby enhancing fuel management and reducing operational costs by ensuring precise tracking and reporting of fuel quantities.
Implementation Method 1
an air eliminator configured to remove air from the fuel stream, wherein the air eliminator provides an air-rich stream and an air-depleted fuel stream
Implementation Method 2
the mass flow meter is a Coriolis meter
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile fuel monitoring system (MMU) is disclosed. The fuel monitoring system may be skid mounted and is configured to monitor fuel transfers between a fuel source and a vessel, such as a ship. The disclosed MMU is a stand-alone, self-contained unit that can be easily moved from place to place. The MMU is configured to monitor and remotely report custody transfers of fuel performed at any location. Parameters of the fuel transfer operation, such as the amount of fuel transferred, the flow rate, the fuel density, and fuel temperature can be monitored and alarms may be issued if any of the parameters are out of specification. The parameter values may be transmitted to a remote location, for example, via a satellite link.