This invention is directed generally to mobile fuel refinery systems and methods, fuel dispensing systems and methods, and fuel compositions.
The transportation industry continues to struggle against increasing vehicle fueling and maintenance costs, increasing vehicle performance demands, and expanding emissions regulations from regulatory agencies. Modern vehicles are forced to operate using fuels having inconsistent quality and a significant amount of contaminants. Ultra-low sulfur diesel is one such fuel of poor or inconsistent quality. Once fuel is refined, it is stored in corroding storage tanks and pipelines and transported in corroding tanks having particulates and other contaminants certain to degrade the fuel quality. Storage in these tanks also causes bacterial growth, which accelerates fuel degradation. Due to flushing of the lines and tanks, water also becomes trapped in the fuel. The time and distance from refinery to vehicle fuel tank can be significant and thus further increases the likelihood of contamination from water and other impurities. As a result, vehicle fuel quality can vary as much as 30%.
This inconsistent fuel quality does not go without consequence. Inconsistent fuel quality adds to the maintenance costs of a vehicle. Diesel engine experts report that poor quality fuel is the most likely cause of engine failure. Additionally, poor fuel quality results in reduced performance and lower combustion efficiency. In the case of corporate and municipal fleets, the impact of reduced performance and, therefore, increased fuel costs of each vehicle across an entire fleet is significant. Engine failure and maintenance costs added to the fuel costs further aggravate the expensive issues caused by fuel quality for a fleet. Moreover, a lower quality fuel will release more VOCs such as NOX, HC, and black smoke into the atmosphere, thereby significantly impacting our environment. Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance costs, engine performance, and exhaust emissions represent major consequences to the reduced and inconsistent quality of vehicle fuel.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a mobile diesel fuel refinery system is provided comprising a trailer having an underside and comprising wheels, a containment tank mounted on the trailer and adapted to contain and supply diesel fuel, a diesel fuel refinement apparatus mounted on the underside of the trailer and configured to accept diesel fuel from the containment tank. The apparatus comprises a diesel fuel conduction system, a catalyst tank containing a catalyst, and, in series, a particulate filter adapted to remove particulates from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system, a water filter adapted to remove water from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the particulate filter, a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the water filter, a catalyst injector configured to inject the catalyst from the catalyst tank into the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the magnetic field, and a dispensing conduit configured to conduct the diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus following injection of the catalyst.
The particulate filter may be of sufficient fineness to reduce microbial contamination in the diesel fuel. The particulate filter may additionally comprise a pressure gauge. The water filter may be of sufficient fineness to reduce particles of about 10 microns in the diesel fuel. The water filter may additionally comprise a pressure gauge. The catalyst may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. The catalyst injector may additionally comprise a flow sensor. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise a fuel leak sensor. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise a system configured to monitor or control at least one of the following aspects of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus: (1) power applied, (2) system power, (3) fuel head optimal, (4) primary filter media optimal, (5) coalescer filter media optimal, (6) catalyst level optimal, (7) liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and (8) flow rate of fuel. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise at least one sensor adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus, and a data transmitter adapted to transmit the data from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus. The data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus may be selected from the group consisting of data related to (1) power applied, (2) system power, (3) fuel head optimal, (4) primary filter media optimal, (5) coalescer filter media optimal, (6) catalyst level optimal, (7) liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and (8) flow rate of fuel. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise a source of ultrasonic energy positioned along the diesel fuel conduction system so as to reduce microbial cells in the diesel fuel.
In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a method of refinement of diesel fuel following transport is provided comprising, at a first location, placing diesel fuel into a mobile diesel fuel refinery trailer containment tank adapted to contain and supply diesel fuel, the trailer bearing a diesel fuel refinement apparatus configured to accept diesel fuel from the containment tank. The apparatus comprises a diesel fuel conduction system, a catalyst tank containing a catalyst, and, in series, a particulate filter adapted to remove particulates from the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system, a water filter adapted to remove water from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the particulate filter, a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the water filter, a catalyst injector configured to inject the catalyst from the catalyst tank into the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the magnetic field, and a dispensing conduit configured to conduct the diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus following injection of the catalyst. The method of refinement of diesel fuel following transport further comprises transporting the diesel fuel to a second location and refining diesel fuel through the diesel fuel refinement apparatus and dispensing the fuel to a holding tank at the second location.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a diesel fuel refinery and dispensing system is provided comprising a diesel fuel storage tank adapted to contain and supply diesel fuel, a diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus configured to accept diesel fuel from the storage tank. The apparatus comprises a diesel fuel conduction system, a catalyst tank containing a catalyst, and, in series, a particulate filter adapted to remove particulates from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system, a water filter adapted to remove water from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the particulate filter, a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the water filter, and a catalyst injector configured to inject the catalyst from the catalyst tank into the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the magnetic field, a dispensing conduit configured to conduct diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus following injection of the catalyst, a pump adapted to pump the diesel fuel through the diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, and a manually operable switch governing the pump.
The particulate filter may be of sufficient fineness to reduce microbial contamination in the diesel fuel. The particulate filter may additionally comprise a pressure gauge. The water filter may be of sufficient fineness to reduce particles of about 10 microns in the diesel fuel. The water filter may additionally comprise a pressure gauge. The catalyst may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. The catalyst injector may additionally comprise a flow sensor. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise a fuel leak sensor. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise a system configured to monitor or control at least one of the following aspects of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus: (1) power applied, (2) system power, (3) fuel head optimal, (4) primary filter media optimal, (5) coalescer filter media optimal, (6) catalyst level optimal, (7) liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and (8) flow rate of fuel. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus may additionally comprise at least one sensor adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus, and a data transmitter adapted to transmit the data from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus. The data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus may be selected from the group consisting of data related to (1) power applied, (2) system power, (3) fuel head optimal, (4) primary filter media optimal, (5) coalescer filter media optimal, (6) catalyst level optimal, (7) liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and (8) flow rate of fuel. The fuel refinery and dispensing system may additionally comprise a vehicle supportive surface configured to allow a diesel engine vehicle to be brought into the vicinity of the dispensing conduit. The dispensing conduit may be of sufficient length to supply diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus to the diesel engine vehicle. The diesel fuel refinement apparatus additionally comprises a source of ultrasonic energy positioned along the diesel fuel conduction system so as to reduce microbial cells in the diesel fuel.
In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a method of dispensing refined diesel fuel to a diesel vehicle is provided comprising providing a diesel fuel storage tank adapted to contain and supply diesel fuel and a diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus configured to accept diesel fuel from the storage tank. The apparatus comprises a diesel fuel conduction system, a catalyst tank containing a catalyst, and, in series, a particulate filter adapted to remove particulates from the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system, a water filter adapted to remove water from diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the particulate filter, a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the water filter, a catalyst injector configured to inject the catalyst from the catalyst tank into the diesel fuel flowing through the diesel fuel conduction system following its passage through the magnetic field, a dispensing conduit configured to conduct the diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus following injection of the catalyst, a pump adapted to pump the diesel fuel through the diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, a manually operable switch governing the pump, and a vehicle supportive surface configured to allow a diesel engine vehicle to be brought into the vicinity of the dispensing conduit. The dispensing conduit is of sufficient length to supply diesel fuel from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus to the diesel engine vehicle. The method of dispensing refined diesel fuel to a diesel vehicle further comprises monitoring the flow of the diesel fuel through the diesel fuel refinement apparatus to the diesel engine vehicle.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a diesel fuel composition is provided produced by the process of the following steps in series performed upon a diesel fuel containing particulates and water: removing particulates from the diesel fuel, removing water from the diesel fuel, subjecting the diesel fuel to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the diesel fuel following the removal of particulates and water, and admixing a catalyst into the diesel fuel following its refinement by the magnetic field.
The particulate content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 2 microns. The water content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 10 PPM. The microbial content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 1 LFV/mL. The cetane value of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be in the range of 45-52. The lubricity value of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process is about 2.65 CST or better. The catalyst may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones and may be present in a ratio of 1/500 or at least 1/1000.
In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a diesel fuel composition is provided comprising a diesel fuel hydrocarbon having the following characteristics to be selected independently to characterize the inventive composition in one or more combinations: a particulate content below about 2 microns, a cetane value in the range of 45-52, a lubricity value of 2.65 CST or better, a microbial content value of about 1 CFL/mL, a catalyst comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones and present in a ratio of about 1/500 or at least 1/1000.
The particulate content of the diesel fuel composition may be below about 2 microns. The water content of the diesel fuel composition may be below about 10 PPM. The microbial content of the diesel fuel composition may be below about 1 CFL/mL. The cetane value of the diesel fuel composition may be in the range of 45-52.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
In the following detailed description of an example embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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The catalyst of an example embodiment comprises aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. The magnetic field 32 mechanically cracks the diesel fuel chains, thereby creating more surface area for bonding of the diesel fuel with the catalyst 26. Referring now to
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The diesel fuel refinement apparatus 20 of an example embodiment additionally comprises a system 46 configured to monitor or control one or more of the following aspects of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus: power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel.
The diesel fuel refinement apparatus 20 of an example embodiment additionally comprises one or more sensors adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus 20. As shown in
Referring now to
The operation of the mobile diesel fuel refinery system 10 involves refinement of diesel fuel following transport. In an example embodiment of the present invention, at a first location, diesel fuel is placed into a mobile diesel fuel refinery trailer containment tank 18 adapted to contain and supply diesel fuel. The trailer 14 bears a diesel fuel refinement apparatus 20 and is configured to accept diesel fuel from the containment tank 18. Following transport, the diesel fuel is conducted through the diesel fuel conduction system 22, as described above. As shown in
Reference is now made to
As with the mobile diesel fuel refinery system disclosed above, the particulate filter 72 of the diesel fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 of an example embodiment of the present invention is of sufficient fineness to reduce microbial contamination in the diesel fuel. Referring again to
The catalyst 70 of an example embodiment of the present invention comprises aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. The magnetic field 76 mechanically cracks the diesel fuel chains, thereby creating more surface area for bonding of the diesel fuel with the catalyst 70. Referring again to
The diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 of an example embodiment additionally comprises a system 94 configured to monitor or control at least one of the following aspects of the diesel fuel refinement apparatus: power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel. The diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 of an example embodiment additionally comprises at least one sensor 96 adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64, and a data transmitter 97 adapted to transmit the data from the diesel fuel refinement apparatus 64. The data relating to the operation of the diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 of an example embodiment is selected from the group consisting of data related to power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel.
The fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 of an example embodiment additionally comprises a vehicle supportive surface 98 configured to allow a diesel engine vehicle 100 to be brought into the vicinity of the dispensing conduit 80, as shown in
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the diesel fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 additionally comprises a source of ultrasonic energy 102 positioned along the diesel fuel conduction system 66 so as to reduce microbial cells in the diesel fuel, as shown
As shown in
The fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 of an example embodiment of the present invention shown in
An example embodiment of the present invention details a diesel fuel, but other types of vehicle fuel are contemplated by the structures, systems, and methods of the present disclosure. Such other fuels that can be transported, refined, and dispensed according to aspects of the present invention include gasoline, biodiesel, ethanol, kerosene, natural gas, and propane.
The diesel fuel composition of an example embodiment of the present invention is produced by the process of the steps in series performed upon a diesel fuel containing particulates and water as shown in
The particulate content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 2 microns. The water content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 10 PPM. The microbial content of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 1 LFV/mL. The cetane value of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process may be in the range of 45-52. The lubricity value of the diesel fuel composition produced by the process is about 2.65 CST or better. The catalyst of an embodiment comprises aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones and is present in a ratio of 1/500 or at least 1/1000.
As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.
This application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/611,199, filed on Jan. 31, 2015, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/934,395, filed Jan. 31, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14611199 | Jan 2015 | US |
Child | 15601904 | US |