EP2116506A1 - Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung - Google Patents

Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2116506A1
EP2116506A1 EP08155803A EP08155803A EP2116506A1 EP 2116506 A1 EP2116506 A1 EP 2116506A1 EP 08155803 A EP08155803 A EP 08155803A EP 08155803 A EP08155803 A EP 08155803A EP 2116506 A1 EP2116506 A1 EP 2116506A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vapour
temperature
fuel
recovery system
pump
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08155803A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bengt I. Larsson
Marie Håkansson
Mattias Mårtensson
Richard Karlsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB
Original Assignee
Dresser Wayne AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dresser Wayne AB filed Critical Dresser Wayne AB
Priority to EP08155803A priority Critical patent/EP2116506A1/de
Publication of EP2116506A1 publication Critical patent/EP2116506A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
    • B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
    • B67D7/048—Vapour flow control means, e.g. valves, pumps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vapour recovery system, a fuel dispensing unit and a method for recovering fuel vapour from a vehicle tank during dispensing of fuel into the vehicle tank.
  • vapour recovery systems typically comprise a pump for feeding vapour, from the tank of the vehicle, to the fuel container from which fuel is fed to the vehicle. This mutual exchange of vapour/fuel is continuously performed when filling a vehicle with fuel.
  • vapour recovery system operates properly. This means that there must be a flow of vapour when vapour shall be recovered, which is sometimes not the case when certain, relevant vapour recovery components malfunction.
  • ORVR on-board refuelling vapour recovery
  • US-5,956,259 discloses a fuel dispenser system configured to receive a signal from a vehicle transponder indicative of the presence of an ORVR system on the vehicle. If an ORVR equipped vehicle is detected, the fuel dispenser system deactivates its vapour recovery system.
  • WO 00/50850 discloses a fuel dispensing unit incorporating a vapour recovery system having a density detector for identifying the vapour composition of recovered vapour, and if the vapour is identified as substantially non-hydrocarbon (ORVR equipped vehicle) the operational rate of vapour collection is controlled accordingly.
  • a problem with existing fuel dispensers capable of detecting a flow of fuel vapour and/or ORVR equipped vehicles is that they are relatively complicated and expensive both in respect of construction and production.
  • a particular object is to provide reliable detection of a flow of fuel vapour, such that it is possible to determine if a vapour flow is present or not.
  • vapour recovery system a fuel dispensing unit and a method according to the respective independent claims.
  • Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
  • vapour recovery system for recovering fuel vapour from a vehicle tank during dispensing of fuel into the vehicle tank.
  • the vapour recovery system comprises a vapour recovery line with a vapour pump for transporting a stream of fuel vapour, and control means for controlling the stream of fuel vapour.
  • the vapour line comprises a temperature sensor arranged for measuring a temperature of the fuel vapour, the control means being configured to determine how much a value representing the measured temperature deviates from a reference value, and to determine a flow of fuel vapour in dependence of said deviation.
  • the system according to the invention is advantageous in that it offers a convenient manner for detecting presence of a flow of fuel vapour.
  • the detection is based on the principle that when a flow is present, the temperature deviation on the temperature sensor is higher in relation to when no flow is present.
  • the temperature deviation is proportional to the flow of fuel vapour.
  • the control means may not only determine, but also regulate the flow of fuel vapour in dependence of the deviation.
  • the system according to the invention may potentially provide secure detection of an ORVR vehicle.
  • the value representing the measured temperature may be the derivative of the measured temperature, the reference value being a reference temperature derivative.
  • the value representing the measured temperature may be the measured temperature, while the reference value is a predetermined temperature value.
  • the temperature sensor may be arranged downstream the vapour pump, for applying the principle that the temperature of a fluid is higher on the feeding side of a pump in comparison with the temperature of the fluid on the suction side of the pump, since the pressure is higher on the feeding side than on the suction side.
  • the vapour line may further comprise a second temperature sensor, wherein the reference value is a temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.
  • the second temperature sensor may be arranged in the vapour recovery line upstream the vapour pump, for measuring a temperature of the fuel vapour, which provides a very accurate reference temperature for determining the temperature deviation.
  • the control means may further be configured to determine said deviation by calculating how much the measured temperature exceeds the reference temperature, which offers a simple way for determining the temperature deviation.
  • the control means may further be configured to regulate the stream of fuel vapour only in dependence of how much the value representing the measured temperature deviates from the reference value.
  • This means that the system is capable of detecting an ORVR vehicle based on information from one sensor only, or two sensors only in case the reference temperature is provided by a second temperature sensor.
  • the reference temperature may be read from a predetermined pattern curve showing the temperature as a function of the flow of fuel vapour.
  • the control means may be configured to: make a first temperature measurement, by means of the temperature sensor; and make a second temperature measurement, by means of the temperature sensor and after a predetermined period of time has passed since the first temperature measurement; said determining of how much a value representing the measured temperature deviates from a reference value comprising determining a difference between the two temperature measurements, and comparing said difference with the reference value.
  • a fuel dispensing unit for refuelling vehicles comprising a vapour recovery system according to above.
  • a method for regulating recovering of fuel vapour from a vehicle tank during dispensing of fuel into the vehicle tank, said method comprising the steps of: generating a stream of fuel vapour, through a vapour recovery line that comprises a vapour pump, measuring a temperature of the fuel vapour, determining how much a value representing the measured temperature deviates from a reference value, and determining a flow of fuel vapour in dependence of said deviation.
  • the step of measuring a temperature of the fuel vapour downstream the vapour pump may be followed by the steps of: measuring a second temperature, and assigning the reference value the second temperature. These two steps should be made before the step of determining how much the measured temperature deviates from the reference temperature.
  • the step of measuring the second temperature may comprise measuring the temperature of the fuel vapour upstream the vapour pump.
  • the fuel dispensing unit and method according to the invention both have the same advantages as the system according to the invention, and the method may comprise any of the features of the system described above.
  • a fuel dispensing unit 1 having a fuel line 12 with a fuel pump 13 drawing fuel from a fuel storage tank 17 and producing a stream of fuel F to a fuel dispensing nozzle 15 fitted with a fuel outlet 14.
  • the volume and rate of dispensed fuel is measured by a flow meter 16 arranged in the fuel line 12.
  • a vapour recovery system 5 in which a vapour line 6 in downstream order comprises a vapour inlet 10 arranged at the fuel dispensing nozzle 15, a vapour pump 7 for generating a stream of vapour V to the storage tank 17, a temperature sensor 8 for detecting the temperature of the vapour stream V flowing in the vapour line 6 downstream the vapour pump 7 and a regulation valve 19 for regulating the vapour stream V.
  • the regulation valve 19 may, instead of being arranged downstream the vapour pump 7, be arranged upstream the vapour pump 7.
  • the fuel outlet 14 and the vapour inlet 10 normally are positioned at the inlet of a vehicle fuel tank 18.
  • the fuel pump 13, the fuel meter 16, the vapour pump 7 and the regulation valve 19 are each connected to and controlled by control means 2.
  • the temperature sensor 8 is also connected to the control means 2 and is arranged to feed, to the control means 2, a signal representing the temperature T of the vapour at the location of the temperature sensor 8.
  • the control means 2 has a suitable, conventional central processing unit 3 and associated memory 4 for processing and storing signals and for communicating with and controlling the devices connected to the control means 2. Such communication and control is performed in a conventional manner.
  • the fuel pump 13 feeds fuel to the vehicle tank 18.
  • the vapour pump 7 recovers, or draws, fuel vapour from the vehicle tank 18 at the same flow rate as the flow rate of the fuel. Accordingly, the volume of fuel that enters the tank 18 corresponds to the volume of vapour that exits the tank 18. This process is monitored and regulated by the control unit 2 in a known manner.
  • the temperature T of the vapour is continuously measured by the temperature sensor 8 and the temperature value is sent to the control unit 2.
  • a reference temperature value is stored in the memory 4 of the control unit 2.
  • the control unit 2 is configured to determine how much the temperature T deviates from the reference temperature, and if the deviation is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit 2 stops the vapour pump 7 and/or closes the regulation valve 19 for preventing that any vapour is recovered.
  • the reference temperature value is an experimental value, which for example is obtained by measuring temperature values with the sensor 8 when refuelling an ORVR vehicle and when refuelling a non-ORVR vehicle respectively, and by comparing the obtained temperature values. It has been shown that refuelling an ORVR vehicle results in higher temperature readings in comparison with refuelling a non-ORVR vehicle.
  • the reference temperature value is then, for example, set to a value between a mean temperature value obtained for an ORVR vehicle and a mean temperature value obtained for a non-ORVR vehicle.
  • the predetermined value mentioned above is zero. This presupposes that the fuel dispensing unit operates accurately, so that the temperature deviation actually depends on whether an ORVR vehicle is present or not, and not because of a problem with said fuel dispensing unit. Regulations can be made to assure that no problems with the fuel dispensing unit occur, thereby eliminating such problems as a cause of the deviation.
  • a second temperature sensor 9 is arranged in the vapour line 6 upstream the vapour pump 7 and is connected to the control means 2 for measuring the temperature T ref of the vapour at the location of the second temperature sensor, and for feeding, to the control means 2, a signal representing the measured temperature T ref .
  • the temperature T ref of the vapour is continuously measured by the second temperature sensor 9 and the temperature value is sent to the control unit 2.
  • the temperature T ref measured by the second temperature sensor 9 represents the reference temperature when determining how much the temperature T deviates from the reference temperature.
  • the deviation is determined, for example, by subtracting the temperature T ref measured by the second sensor 9 from the temperature T measured by the first sensor 8.
  • the resulting deviation value is positive, and if the deviation is above a predetermined value, the control unit 2 stops the vapour pump 7 and/or closes the regulation valve 19 for preventing that any vapour is recovered.
  • the predetermined value in the second embodiment may be experimentally determined by measuring the deviation when refuelling an ORVR vehicle and when refuelling a non-ORVR vehicle. For example, if the tests show that refuelling an ORVR vehicle results in a deviation higher than 1 °C, while refuelling a non-ORVR vehicle results in a deviation lower than 1 °C, the predetermined level is set to 1 °C.
  • the deviation may be calculated in any suitable manner and the embodiments above represent only two examples.
  • the predetermined values discussed above are dependant on the measured temperature T. This means that if the temperature T falls within a first temperature range, a first predetermined values is used, while a second predetermined value is used if the temperature falls within a second temperature range that is different form the first temperature range.
  • the temperature sensor that provides the reference temperature is arranged inside the fuel dispenser 1, but not in the vapour line 6, for measuring the temperature inside the fuel dispensing unit 1.
  • the temperature sensor is indicated by the reference numeral 9' and the reference temperature by T' ref .
  • the third embodiment corresponds to the second embodiment.
  • the temperature sensor 9' may be arranged peripherally of the fuel dispensing unit 1.
  • the temperature sensor 8 is arranged downstream the vapour pump 7.
  • the control means 2 measures in, cooperation with the temperature sensor 8, the vapour temperature a first time during the first 2-4 seconds of operation of the vapour recovery system. After a period of time, e.g. 10-15 seconds, a second temperature measurement is done.
  • the control means 2 calculates a difference between the two measured temperature values, and if the difference is above a predetermined, empirically established value, it is determined that a flow of vapour is present.
  • vapour becomes warmer when passing a pump. If the pump is not operated, there is no vapour passing the pump and hence the temperature sensor senses the temperature of a static media, i.e. there is no difference in temperature between the two measured temperature values. If the pump is operated there is a vapour flow, and the pump becomes warmer after a short period of time, which also makes the media slightly warmer after this period of time.
  • the temperature sensor need not be arranged downstream the pump, but may be arranged after any vapour line component that becomes warmer when a flow of vapour is passing through the vapour line.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
EP08155803A 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung Withdrawn EP2116506A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08155803A EP2116506A1 (de) 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08155803A EP2116506A1 (de) 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2116506A1 true EP2116506A1 (de) 2009-11-11

Family

ID=40636795

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08155803A Withdrawn EP2116506A1 (de) 2008-05-07 2008-05-07 Dampfrückgewinnungsregulierung

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2116506A1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5956259A (en) 1995-12-08 1999-09-21 Gilbarco Inc. Intelligent fueling
WO2000050850A2 (en) 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Tokheim Corporation Orvr detection via density detector
EP1167929A2 (de) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-02 FAFNIR GmbH Verfahren zum Bestimmen des Durchflusses eines Gasgemisches
EP1568653A2 (de) * 2004-02-27 2005-08-31 FAFNIR GmbH Lüftungsmast-Überwachungssystem für Kraftstoffzisterne
EP1905731A1 (de) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-02 Dresser Wayne Aktiebolag Kraftstoffzapfanlage mit Erkennung von Fahrzeugen mit einer bordeigenen Dampfrückgewinnung

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5956259A (en) 1995-12-08 1999-09-21 Gilbarco Inc. Intelligent fueling
WO2000050850A2 (en) 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 Tokheim Corporation Orvr detection via density detector
EP1167929A2 (de) * 2000-06-30 2002-01-02 FAFNIR GmbH Verfahren zum Bestimmen des Durchflusses eines Gasgemisches
EP1568653A2 (de) * 2004-02-27 2005-08-31 FAFNIR GmbH Lüftungsmast-Überwachungssystem für Kraftstoffzisterne
EP1905731A1 (de) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-02 Dresser Wayne Aktiebolag Kraftstoffzapfanlage mit Erkennung von Fahrzeugen mit einer bordeigenen Dampfrückgewinnung

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