Pressure Isolation Valve for Accurate Fuel Line Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensation systems face challenges in accurately detecting leaks and maintaining pressure in fuel dispensation lines independent of system pressure, leading to false alarms and reduced accuracy in leak detection due to factors like high line resiliency and vapor entrapment.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocarbon fuel dispensation line pressure isolation valve is introduced, which includes a narrow longitudinal channel and an electronic or mechanical pressure sensor to measure line pressure independently of the pump head, allowing continuous monitoring and reducing false alarms by isolating line pressure from system pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If line leak detectors are used to detect leaks in fuel dispensation lines, then leak detection capability is improved, but false alarms increase due to high line resiliency and vapor entrapment
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent pressure measurement zones: one measuring pump head pressure and another measuring dispensation line pressure. This segmentation allows independent monitoring of each zone, enabling distinction between legitimate leaks (pressure loss in dispensation line) and false alarm causes (pressure changes in pump head due to vapor entrapment or line resiliency).
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure isolation valve with a narrow longitudinal channel acts as an intermediary element. This channel provides a restricted fluid communication path that allows pressure equalization while isolating the two measurement zones. The narrow channel design ensures that pressure changes in the pump head do not directly transmit to the dispensation line measurement, thereby eliminating false alarms while maintaining accurate leak detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If pressure in the dispensation line is monitored to detect leaks, then leak detection is enabled, but pressure cannot be maintained independently of system pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure monitoring system is segmented into independent measurement zones using a pressure isolation valve. This allows the dispensation line pressure to be measured and maintained independently from pump head pressure fluctuations, ensuring stable and accurate pressure monitoring for leak detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure isolation valve with its narrow longitudinal channel serves as an intermediary that decouples the dispensation line pressure from pump head pressure changes. This intermediary structure allows the dispensation line to maintain stable pressure independent of system pressure variations, while still enabling accurate pressure measurement for leak detection.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the pump head check valve is used to prevent fuel return, then fuel backflow is prevented, but line pressure cannot be isolated from system pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses both the pump head check valve and a pressure isolation valve in series. The check valve prevents fuel backflow to the tank, while the pressure isolation valve segments the pressure measurement zones, enabling independent line pressure measurement upstream of the check valve. This dual-valve arrangement maintains backflow prevention while achieving pressure isolation for accurate leak detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure isolation valve acts as an intermediary element between the check valve and the dispensation line. It provides a restricted fluid communication path that allows pressure measurement while isolating the measurement zone from system pressure changes, enabling precise independent line pressure measurement while maintaining the check valve's backflow prevention function.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon dispensation line pressure sensor adapted to work without requirement of a separate closed valve. The system closes the dispensation line upstream via an isolation valve. The pressure can be sensed from the dispensation line through the valve to provide dispensation line pressure. A channel in fluid communication with the dispensation line may be provided to allow pressure measurement apart from the main dispensation line. Further, a method for measuring the pressure drop profile of a dispensation line and various methods to determine the pressure loss due to leaks in dispensation line.