GB2248240A

GB2248240A - Novel lead-free fuel modification unit and process

Info

Publication number: GB2248240A
Application number: GB9020827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Keith Woods
Original assignee: C & G Engineering & Enterprise
Current assignee: C & G Engineering & Enterprise
Priority date: 1990-09-25
Filing date: 1990-09-25
Publication date: 1992-04-01
Also published as: GB9020827D0

Abstract

A process for the modification of lead-free fuel comprises containing the fuel with tin alloy element(s) which have been housed in a glass container. Also disclosed is a glass unit for housing such.

Description

lOVr.L LE'D-FREr FUrS MOD-FIC\TION UNIT AND PROCESS This invention relates to a novel process for the modification of lead-free fuel.

Although it has been known for some time that leaded fuel produces considerable pollution, an economically viable alternative to lead compounds as antiknock agents has been difficult to find. One possibility is the use of a tin alloy, but this has substantial disadvantages. Firstly, when tin alloy elements are contained within a metal container, such as a tank or pie, mental fatigue and ageing/corrosion produce impurities which contaminate the alloy. Secondly, when alloy elements are manufactured in metal moulds, lubricants are required to extract the finished pieces. These lubricants have been known to contaminate the molten compound thus leading to an impure product.

The present invention provides a novel form of protection for tin alloy elements in a lead-free modification unit.

The modification unit in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one tin allc element housed in a glass body, there being means for admitting fuel to the interior of the glass body to contact the ti.

The term "glass" in the context of the present invention may be any type of glassy material or polymer which is hard-wearing and resistant to corrosion and rust, does not carry imperfections and has a longer life span than metal. Preferably, borosilicate glass may be used, as this is exceptionally tough.

Preferably, the glass body is produced in the shape of an elongated tube.

Neither the composition, shape nor size of the tin alloy elements is material to the invention; at least one tin alloy element is present. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tin is produced in dome-shaped pieces, which are stacked along their cross-sectios, in the direction of the long axis of the glass body. The tube may be ccnstructed such that it is short enough to old the dozes in a loose stack, keeping their cross-sections substantially aligned with that of the glass tube without the domes falling over. This arrangement produces a small and compact unit, while providing a large surface area of tin alloy for fuel modification.

The form of protection of the alloy used in the present invention provides a versatile fuel modification unit which may be used at any stage after the fuel has been refined, before it enters an engine. It may be used while the fuel is moving, for maple through a tube or pipe (inline), or is standing, for example in a container or tank (in-tank).

Figure 1 shows the invention in an in-line context, for example for use in a vehicle fuel pipe or hose; or in the delivering line of a filling station pump. The mild steel case 1 is in the form of an elongated tubular body.

This is lined by a slightly shorter glass tube 2 which itself houses tin alloy elements 3. The tubular unit may be secured at each or either end by a press stud and thread mechanism 5. An O-ring seal 4 may be used to complete the seal.

Fuel enters from one end of the unit and flows over the alloy. The contents of the unit are prevented from leaking out by the O-ring sealing the end of the unit in the gap between the glass tube and the press stud, and by the glass walls of the inner tube. The sealing mechanism described prevents any metal casing or atmospheric impurities from entering into the unit, while the thread mechanism has advantages over an unsophisticated complete seal in that any process of repair or alteration is facilitated.

The unit may be completed by two end fittings which screw into the press studs and receive the ends of the fuel hoses. One such end fitting is shown at 6.

The invention may also be used in an in-tank context, for example the tank may contain a unit made of glass which itself contains tin alloy elements. The tin alloy is prevented from falling out of the glass container by such means as the shape of the container. An example of an in-tank modification unit is shown in Figure 2. The tin elements 8 shown are larger than the apertures of the glass container 7, but fuel may flow freely through. The unit is intended to be small enough to be dropped into a tank, to affect fuel therein.

The amount of tin alloy required is proportional to the amount of fuel passing through the glass container.

Consequently, the amount of alloy in an in-line modification unit is proportional to the size of the engine, and to the size of the tank in the in-tank case.

The invention also provides a process for the manufacture of a shaped tin alloy element for use in a leadfree fuel modification unit, which process comprises manufacturing the shaped element inside a glass mould. The glass mould may be of the type described above. Moulding the tin alloy in glass eliminates the need for use of a lubricant, which is required to remove shaped tin alloy from a metal mould. Consequently, use of such a glass mould results in a pure shaped tin alloy, uncontaminated by lubricants.

Claims

1. A process for the modification of lead-free fuel, ccmprising contacting the fuel w th tin events which have been housed in a glass rather than a metal container.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein, during manufacture, the tin elements are moulded in a glass mould.

3. A process according to either preceding claim wherein the tin elements are brought into contact with the lead-free fuel while housed in a glass container.

4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the tin elements and the lead-free fuel are brought into contact with each other in the fuel tank of a vehicle.

5. A process according to claim 3, wherein the tin elements and the lead-free fuel are brought into contact with each other in a fuel delivery line of a vehicle.

6. A lead-free fuel modification unit which comprises at least one tin alloy element housed in a glass body, there being means for admitting fuel to the interior of the glass body to contact the tin.

7. A process or a unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the glass is a borosilicate glass.

8 A unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass is in the shape of an elongated tubular body.

9. A unit according to claim 8, wherein the ends of the glass tube are sealed with a press stud and thread.

10. A unit according to claim 9, wherein the press stud seals with the glass tube by means of an O-ring seal.

11. A unit according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the tin alloy is substantially present in a domeshape, which domes are loosely stacked along the long axis of the glass body.

12. A unit according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the ends of the glass body is shaped to contain the tin therewithin.

13. A unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass tube is contained within a mild steel tubular case.

14. A unit according to any one of claims 6 to 13, which comprises a shaped tin alloy element when produced by a process as claimed in claim 2.

15. A lead-free fuel modification unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figure 1 or Figure 2.