Terminal Gasoline Blending via Segmented Additive Packages
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high costs and logistical challenges associated with producing and distributing proprietary premium gasolines, including the need for segregated storage and transportation, which increases expenses and can lead to quality issues and loss of competitive advantage, are not effectively addressed by existing methods.
Innovation Solution
Producing a broad slate of finished gasoline products by combining fungible regular gasoline with a seasonally adjusted high-octane terminal blend stock at a terminal, allowing for on-demand creation of mid- and premium grades, reducing pipeline shipping volumes and inventory requirements, and maintaining product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary premium gasoline is produced and shipped through the pipeline in segregated form, then the refiner can offer a differentiated fuel product with distinctive performance advantages, but the cost of transportation and storage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the premium gasoline production into two segments: a base component produced at the refinery and a proprietary additive package. The base component can be shipped through the pipeline with fungible materials, while the additive package is added at the terminal to create the differentiated premium product. This segmentation eliminates the need to ship and store large volumes of segregated premium gasoline, reducing transportation and storage costs while maintaining product differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The refiner prepares the base component and proprietary additive package separately in advance. The base component is produced and stored at the refinery, while the additive package is prepared and stored in smaller quantities. At the terminal, these pre-prepared components are combined to create the final premium gasoline product, eliminating the need for extensive pipeline segregation and terminal storage infrastructure.
2Productivity
If large volumes of proprietary gasoline are stored at the terminal for distribution, then service stations can receive truckloads of proprietary gasoline, but capital and operational expenses for tankage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the premium gasoline into a base component and an additive package. The base component can be stored in larger quantities at the terminal since it is fungible and can be mixed with other base components. The additive package, which provides the proprietary characteristics, is stored in smaller quantities and added at the terminal. This segmentation reduces the total inventory volume required while maintaining product availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base component serves multiple functions: it can be used as the foundation for different grades of gasoline (regular, mid-grade, premium) by combining with different amounts and types of additive packages. This multi-functionality allows the terminal to maintain a smaller inventory of base component that can be differentiated into multiple product types, reducing overall inventory requirements while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If segregated proprietary fuel is transported through the pipeline, then the refiner can deliver differentiated products to terminals, but pipeline operation becomes more difficult and resources are expended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the proprietary product into a base component suitable for pipeline transport and a proprietary additive package. The base component is transported through the pipeline in the same manner as fungible materials, eliminating the need for complex segregation infrastructure. The additive package is transported separately and added at the terminal, simplifying pipeline operations while maintaining the ability to deliver differentiated products.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal acts as an intermediary between the refinery and service stations. It receives the base component and additive package, combines them to create the differentiated premium gasoline, and then distributes it to service stations. This intermediary approach simplifies pipeline operations by allowing bulk transport of base components while still enabling product differentiation at the distribution point.
4Loss of energy
If fungible pipeline premium gasoline is sold instead of proprietary product, then transportation and storage costs are reduced, but the competitive advantage and quality advantages are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the premium gasoline into a base component and a proprietary additive package. The base component is transported through the pipeline as a fungible material, reducing transportation and storage costs. The proprietary additive package is added at the terminal to create the final differentiated product, restoring the competitive advantage and quality advantages. This segmentation allows the system to enjoy the cost benefits of fungible transport while maintaining the benefits of proprietary product differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for producing mid-grade and premium gasolines at a terminal from a seasonally adjusted high-octane blend stock are disclosed. Compositions useful as the high-octane blending stock also are disclosed.