UV-C Fuel Decontamination Unit for Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel has led to increased corrosion of equipment due to higher levels of acetic acid produced by acetic acid-producing bacteria, which are not adequately controlled by the lower sulfur levels, causing severe corrosion in storage and transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination unit utilizing ultraviolet light to irradiate fuel with UV-C radiation, reducing microorganism levels such as Acetobacteraceae and Lactobacillaceae bacteria, and other contaminants, thereby decreasing acetic acid production and subsequent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sulfur content is reduced from 500 ppm to 15 ppm to meet environmental regulations, then public health and environmental protection are improved, but corrosion of storage and transport equipment worsens due to increased acetic acid production by bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing UV-C irradiation before the fuel reaches storage or transport equipment. The UV treatment pre-eliminates acetic acid-producing bacteria from the fuel, preventing subsequent corrosion of equipment. This proactive measure addresses the corrosion problem caused by ultra-low sulfur diesel without requiring changes to the fuel composition or equipment design.
2Reliability
If sulfur levels are reduced to create ultra-low sulfur diesel, then environmental compliance is improved, but natural biocidal protection against bacteria is lost, leading to increased microbial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical biocidal mechanism (sulfur) with a physical decontamination mechanism (UV-C irradiation). Instead of relying on sulfur to kill bacteria chemically, the system uses UV light to inactivate microorganisms physically by damaging their DNA and cellular structures. This substitution maintains environmental compliance while restoring microbiological stability to the fuel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ethanol contamination is present in ultra-low sulfur diesel, then fuel flexibility and renewable content are improved, but acetic acid producing bacteria proliferate, causing increased corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ethanol contamination into a beneficial outcome by using UV-C irradiation. The UV treatment specifically targets and eliminates acetic acid-producing bacteria that would otherwise convert ethanol into corrosive acetic acid. This approach allows the fuel system to maintain flexibility in composition while preventing the harmful biochemical conversion that leads to corrosion.
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 UV decontamination process effectively reduces microorganism levels by greater than 90%, significantly minimizing equipment corrosion in the storage and transport of ultra-low sulfur diesel.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light located in the decontamination region; wherein the ultraviolet light is configured to irradiate the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a fuel decontamination unit comprises a decontamination region containing fuel; and an ultraviolet light located in the decontamination region; wherein the ultraviolet light is configured to irradiate the fuel. In an embodiment, a method of decontaminating fuel comprises flowing a contaminated fuel into a decontamination unit; irradiating the fuel with ultraviolet radiation that is emitted from the ultraviolet light such that the contaminated fuel becomes a purified fuel; flowing the purified fuel out of the decontamination unit; wherein a microorganism level in the purified fuel is less than that of the contaminated fuel.