GB2333508A

GB2333508A - Fuel dispensing system and method using octane sensing and display

Info

Publication number: GB2333508A
Application number: GB9901512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michelle Robert Gallo; Deborah Ann Joines
Original assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Current assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Priority date: 1998-01-26
Filing date: 1999-01-22
Publication date: 1999-07-28
Also published as: IT1305289B1; FR2774084A1; GB9901512D0; NO990332D0; DK199900058A; SE9900167D0; SE9900167L; DE19902686A1; ITRM990053A1; NO990332L

Abstract

There is provided a system and method for dispensing a fuel in which the fuel to be dispensed is passed from its storage tank (12a; 12b) to a dispenser nozzle while the octane rating of the fuel is sensed and displayed. Also, the octane rating of the fuel can be changed in response to the sensed octane rating varying from a predetermined value. Thus, since the octane rating of the blended fuel is independent of any variations in the octane rating of the individual fuel products, an accurate blended octane fuel can be produced, and an accurate octane rating displayed.

Description

2333508 FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING OCTANE SENSING AND DISPLAY

This invention relates to a fuel dispensing system and, more particularly, to such a system in which a blended fuel is dispensed which is derived from fuel products of different octane ratings, with the particular octane ratine beinz displayed.

Many gasoline service stations require the installation of multiproduct fuel dispensers or pumps, each for dispensing a plurality of gasoline products having different octane ratings at each fueling station. Several known systems of this type typically include a separate flow path for each fuel product from its storage tank to the outlet nozzle which introduces the fuel into the consumer's vehicle. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,332,011, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses such a system in which three nozzles, fuel hoses and flow meters, each for a different grade of gasoline, are combined in a single dispenser.

However, there are disadvantages associated with these types of discrete delivery systems. For example, the space requirements and the cost of the system are increased due to the requirement a hose, nozzle and flow meter associated with each grade of gasoline. Also, the cost of 1 maintenance and repairs is increased for each discrete deliverv system, especially with respect to the flow meters.

Another disadvantage of these prior designs is that the actual octane rating of the fuel products in the storage tanks can vary from its specified rating due to many factors. This problem is compounded in designs in which a blended fuel is obtained by combining a relatively high octane fuel product with a relatively low octane product, with the desired octane blend ratio being achieved by controlling the flow through a proportional flow control valve associated with each fuel product. However this can lead to significant inaccuracies in the octane of the blended product since the latter is dependent on the actual octane rating of the fuel products in the storage c tanks. Therefore, regardless of the precision of the dispenser blending system in these arrangements, the octane rating of the blended product delivered through the hose is only as accurate as the octane ratings of the fuel products in the storage tanks. Therefore, the customer can never be assured of receiving gasoline having the precise octane rating that he or she selected.

In an effort to overcome some of the above problems, multiproduct fuel dispensers have been developed in which the supply lines from the respective storage tanks are manifolded into a single fuel hose downstream of the flow meters, which hose then leads to a single nozzle, including designs in which a single flow meter is utilized. Although these designs eliminate the multiplicity of nozzles, hoses, and, in some cases, the flow meters, they do not overcome the problems associated with dispensing a gasoline having an inaccurate octane rating.

Therefore what is needed is a system and method for dispensing a fuel according to which a fuel having an accurate octane rating is dispensed and an accurate octane rating displayed. Also, what is needed is a system and method of the above type according to which a blended fuel can be dispensed that is derived from a plurality of fuel products with different octane ratings, with the octane content of the blended fuel being independent of any variations in the octane rating of the individual fuel products. A.1so, what is need is a system of the above ty-Pe in which a single flow meter can be used.

To this end, according to the system and method of the present invention, the fuel to be dispensed is passed from its storage tank to a dispenser nozzle while the octane rating of the fuel is sensed and displayed. Also, the octane rating of the fuel can be changed in response to the sensed octane rating varying from a predetermined value.

The octane rating of the blended fuel is independent of any variations in the octane rating of the individual fuel products thus enabling a blended octane fuel to be dispensed that is extremely accurate w-ith respect to its octane rating. Further, the display enables the customer to be assuXed. that the gasoline being dispensed has the precise octane rating that he or she selected. Still further, a single fuel meter can be used to reduce costs and :)o U space requirements By way of example, a specific embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the dispensing system of the present invention with the hydraulic connections being shown by solid lines, the electrical connections being shown by dashed lines, and with a mechanical connection being shown by a dotted line; and Fig. 2 is a isometric view of a dispenser utilized with the system of Fig. 1 Referring to the drawings, multiproduct fuel dispensing system of the present invention is shown schematically and generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. The dispensing system 10 receives fuel from two storage tanks 12a and 12b, which respectively store fuel products with a relatively high and a relatively low octane rating, specific examples of which will be g9ven later. Two flow lines, or conduits, 14a and 14b, pass the fuel t:l products ftom the storage tanks 12a and 12b, with the respective ends of the lines 14a and 14b being connected to an end of a single fuel flow line, or IM conduit, 18 at a "tee" connection 19 which defines a mixing zone. A pump (not shown) is associated with each flow line 14a and 14b for pumping the fuel products from the tanks 12a and 12b through the respective flow lines, and the flows through the lines are controlled by two flow control valves 16a and 16b, respectively. The valves 16a and 16b are operated in a manner to be described so that only the fuel product from the storage tank 12a flows to the line 18, so that only the fuel product from the storage tank 12b flows to the line 18, or so that the fuel products from both tanks flow to the tee connection 19 and are mixed, or blended, together before the blended fuel flows to the line 18.

A flow meter 20 is disposed in the flow line 18 downstream of the tee connection 19, and an octane sensor 22 is also disposed in the flow line downstream of the flow meter. The sensor 22 preferably includes a silicon n-dcrostructure sensor system proprietary to the Honeywell Corporation, and since it is conventional and, per se, does not form a part of the present invention, it will not be described in any further detail.

The flow line 18 terminates at a dispenser housing 24 to be described later. It is understood that a casting, or the like (not shown) can be provided in the housing 24 to receive the flow line 18 and to connect it to one end of a flexible hose assembly 26a that is mounted to, and extends outwardly from, the housing 24. A dispensing nozzle 28a extends from the other end of the hose assembly 26a, is conventionally designed for insertion into a customer's vehicle fuel tank (not shown) to dispense the fael into the vehicle, and has a manually operated "trigger" valve to control the flow of the fuel into the vehicle. Preferable, the hose assembly 26a includes two hoses connected to the dispensing nozzle 28a for respectively dispensing the gasoline through one of the hoses and for receiving the displaced vapor/air mixture from the vehicle tank in the other hose, for passing into a vapor recovery system. Since this is conventional, it will not be described in any detail. As a result of the above arrangement, the fuel flows from the sensor 22, through the line 18, and to the hose assembly 26a for dispensing by the nozzle 28a under conditions to be described.

A control unit 30 has input terminals electrically connected to the octane sensor 22, to the dispenser housing 24, and to a pulser 32, which, in_ turn, is mechanically connected to the flow meter 20. The control unit 30 receives input signals from the octane sensor 22 corresponding to the octane rating of the fuel flowing through the line 18, as well as signals from the dispenser housing 24 corresponding to the particular octane rated fuel selected by the customer in a manner to be described. The pulser 32 is conventional and converts the mechanical, or analog, signals from the flow meter 20 to electrical signals for the control unit 30 that correspond to the flow rate of the fuel through the line 18. According to one of the features of the present invention, a display device 34 is electrically connected to the sensor 22 for displaying the octane rating of the blended fuel as sensed by ft, the sensor, as will be described in detail. The display device can be one of several available types, such as, for example a graphical display marketed under model 882515-002 by Optrex America, of Plymouth, MI.

The control valves 16a and 16b are electrically connected to two output terminals of the control unit 30 so that output signals generated by the control unit can control the operation of the valves. It is understood that the control unit 30 includes a microprocessor, or the like, that receives the above mentioned input signals and generates the corresponding output signals to control the system in the manner to be described in accordance with a predetermined software program. To tl-ds end, the respective flows of the fuel from the storage tanks 12a and 12b to the line 18 and, through the hose assembly 26a, to the nozzle 28a are controlled in a manner to be described, which, in turn, controls the octane rating of the dispensed fuel as sensed by the sensor 22 and displayed by the display device 34.

The dispenser housing 24 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2. Each side of the housing 24 forms a dispensing station with a station on only one side being shown. The hose assembly 26a, as well as two additional hose assemblies 26b and 26c are mounted to the dispenser housing 24, and two additional dispensing nozzles 28b and 28c are connected to the hose assemblies 26b and 26c, respectively. The hose assemblies 26b and 26c are identical to the hose assembly 26a, and the nozzles 28b and 28c are identical to the nozzle 28a. It is understood that the three hose assemblies 28a-28d are connected to the flow line 18 (Fig. 1) at the dispenser housing using a splitter, or the like.

The housing 24 is provided with three boots, or receptacles, 36a-36c for receiving the nozzles 26a-26c during non-use and, although not shown, it is understood that conventional switches (not shown) are provided on the housing which are actuated when a particular nozzle is selected.

The display device 34, along with an additional display device 40, are provided in the dispenser housing 24 with their front faces extending flush with the front face of the housing. The display device 40 displays the amount of the sale and the gallons dispensed in a conventional manner, and, as stated above, the display device 34 displays the octane rating of the dispensed gasoline. The display device 34 can also be adapted to display the oxygenate percentage and, to this end, it can be provided with a rocker switch 34a, or the like, which enables the customer to switch between an octane rating and the oxygenate percentage.

The dispenser housing 24 also includes a permanent display, or sign, associated with each nozzle 28a-28d corresponding to the particular octane ratings available. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the nozzle 28a corresponds to an octane rating of "93% the nozzle 28b corresponds to an octane rating of "90% and the nozzle 28c corresponds to an octane rating of "87". In this context, it will be assumed that the storage tank 12a contains fuel with an octane rating of "9W and the storage tank 12b contains fuel with an octane rating of "87'.

It is understood that the station provided on the other side of the dispenser housing 24 is identical to the station just described and that, in a normal installation, several dispensers are provided.

In operation, the customer selects either one of the nozzles 28a-28c according to the desired octane rating of the fuel to be dispensed and trips the switch associated with that nozzle. This sends a signal from the latter switch, through the dispenser housing 24, to the control unit 30 (Fig. 1) 0 which responds and sends corresponding signals to one or both of the flow control valves 16a and 16b, depending on the particular octane rating that is selected. The valves 16a and 16b are normally closed but are opened in response to the signals received from the control unit 30, with the degree of opening being varied under conditions to be described.

For example, when a customer selects the nozzle 28a corresponding to an octane rating of "93% and trips the corresponding switch, a corresponding control signal is sent to the control unit 30 which opens the valve 16a and turns on the pump (not shown) associated with the storage tank 12a. Upon the customer activating the nozzle 28a by squeezing the trigger valve, as described above, fuel flows from the storage tank 12a and c) passes through its associated fuel delivery line 14a, through the tee connection 19 into the fuel delivery line 18, and through the fuel meter 20. The fuel meter 20 tracks the amount of fuel flowing through the line and sends corresponding signals to the control unit 30 Via the pulsar 32, which, in turn, controls the degree of opening of the corresponding control valve 16a. The fuel flow continues through the flow line 18 past the sensor 22 and to the hose assembly 26a for passage to the nozzle 28a for dispensing into the vehicle tank. During this flow, the display device 34 continuously displays the octane rating of the fuel being dispensed, and the display device 40 displays the gallons of fuel dispensed and the corresponding costs. When the customer's fuel tank is full, or at anytime that the customer desires to stop the fuel delivery, the nozzle 28a is deactivated. The nozzle 28a is then placed back in its boot 36a and its corresponding switch is tr@ipped. This causes a signal to be sent to the control unit.30 which operates to close the flow control valve 16a and turn off the pump associated with the tank 12a.

If the customer selects the "93" octane-rated fuel by selecting the nozzle 28a in the foregoing manner, but the actual octane rating of the fuel product stored in the tank 12a is higher than "93", for whatever reason, the control unit 30 system 10 will respond accordingly by operuing the valve 16band the pump associated with the tank 12b and dilute the octane rating of the fuel by blending the "93" octane-rated fuel with the "87" octane-rated fuel in the tank 12b until the octane rating of the dispensed fuel drops down to "93 ".

If the customer selects the nozzle 28b corresponding to the "90" octane rating fuel and trips the corresponding switch, a corresponding control signal is sent to the control unit 30 which opens both control valves 16a or 16b and turns on the pumps associated with the storage tanks 12a and 12b. Upon the customer activating the nozzle 28b, fuel flows from the storage tanks 12a and 12b, through the corresponding fuel delivery lines 14a and 14b, and to the tee connection 19 where they are blended before passing into the flow line 18. The fuel meter 20 tracks the amount of fuel flowing through the line and sends corresponding signals to the control unit 30 via the pulsar 32, which, in turn, controls the degree of opening of the corresponding control valves 16a and 16b. The blended fuel flows through the flow line 18 past the sensor 22 and to the hose assembly 26b for passage to the nozzle 28b from which it is dispensed into the vehicle tank. If the octane rating, as sensed by the sensor 22 is not "90" the sensor will send corresponding signals to the control unit 30 which will vary the position of the valve 16a and/or 16b according until the "90" rating is achieved. During this flow, the display device 34 continuously displays the octane rating of the fuel being dispensed and the display device 40 displays the gallons and accumulating costs. When the customer's fuel tank is full, or at anytime that the customer desires to stop the fuel delivery, the nozzle 28b is deactivated and placed back in its boot 36a, and its corresponding switch is tripped. This causes a signal to be sent to the control unit 30 which operates to close the flow control valves 16a and 16b and turn off the pumps associated with the tank 12a.

It the customer selects the nozzle 28c corresponding to an octane rating of "87, and trips the corresponding switch, a corresponding control signal is sent to the control unit 30 which opens the valve 16b and turns on the pump (not shown) associated with the storage tank 12b. Upon the customer activating the nozzle 28c, fuel flows &om the storage tank 12b and passes through its associated fuel delivery line 14b, through the tee connection 19 into the fuel delivery line 18, and through the fuel meter 20.

The fliel meter 20 tracks the amount of fuel flowing through the line and sends corresponding signals to the control unit 30 via the pulsar 32, which, in turn, controls the degree of opening of the corresponding control valve 16b. The fuel flow continues through the flow line 18 past the sensor 22 and to the hose assembly 26c for passage to the nozzle 28c for dispensing 1= into the vehicle tank. During this flow, the display device 34 continuously displays the octane rating of the fuel being dispensed, and the display device 40 displays the gallons and accumulating costs. When the customer's fuel tank is full, or at anytime that the customer desires to stop the fuel delivery, the nozzle 28c is deactivated and is placed back in its boot 36a, and its corresponding switch is tripped. This causes a signal to be sent to the control unit 30 which operates to close the flow control valve 16b and t= off the pump associated with the tank 12b. If the "87' octane-rated fuel is selected by selecting the nozzle 28c, but the actual octane rating of the fuel stored in the tank 12b is lower than "87", the control unit 30 will respond accordingly and increase the octane rating of the fuel being dispensed by opening the valve 16a associated with the storage tank 12, and blending the "87' octane-rated fuel with the "9W octane-rated fuel in the tank 12a.

Several advantages aidse from the system and method of the present invention. For example, since the octane rating of the blended fuel can be adjusted to compensate for variations in the octane rating of the individual fuel products, a blended octane fuel is dispensed and displayed that is extremely accurate with respect to its octane rating. Also, by employing a single common fuel meter 20, both the original costs, and the expected repair and maintenance costs, of the dispensing system 10 are reduced due to the elimination of relatively expensive and high maintenance component parts, such as multiple fuel meters. Further, the displayed octane rating of the fuel being dispensed can be used as a diagnostic tool.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the relatively low octane fuel product can be delivered at all times and the relatively high fuel product can be selectively added to the low octane product at the tee connection to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating in the blended fuel.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a fuel is stored in one of the storage tanks 12a or 12b and an additive stored in the other. The additive is of a conventional type that is designed to mix with fuel to raise the octane level of the fuel. According to the present invention, the additive and the fuel are selectively mixed to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the fuel in the same manner as described above.

According to a third alternative embodiment, only one hose assembly and dispensing nozzle is provided, and the customer can select the particular octane rating desired by activating a switch, or the like, on the dispenser housing.

Several variations can be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described valves can be eliminated and the control of the fuel products from their respective tanks can be achieved by other means, such as for example, controlling the output of the pumps that pump the fuels from their tanks. In addition, the tee connection 19 can be replaced by a manifold or any other type of device that would permit the fuel inixing described above. Further, more than two fuel tanks can be provided that contain fuels of varying octane ratings. Still further the flow line 18 could be replaced with a plurality of fuel delivery lines, one for each product to be dispensed from the dispensing system, for receiving fuel from the common fuel meter 20. Each such fuel delivery line would be attached to a separate hose and nozzle and additional flow control valves would be installed downstream of the flow meter 20 to control the flow of fuel through the dispensing system.

Several other variations can be made in the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the invention is not limited to the specific octane ratings set forth above and to the use of three hoses and nozzles. Also, the specific location of the components of the system of the present invention, including their location relative to the dispenser housing, can vary within the scope of the invention. Further, standard components such as pumps, and the like, which are normally used in installations of this type can be employed as needed. Also, the expressions "flow line" and "conduit" are used interchangeably, it being understood that any type of fluid flow apparatus can be used to pass the fuels in the manner described above. Also, other components, such as percentage of oxygenates, of the fuel can be displayed.

Still other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 1. A dispensing system for at least one fuel stored in at least one storage tank, the system comprising:

flow line extending ftom each tank; flow unit associated with the flow line for controlling the flow of the fuel through the flow line; sensor for sensing the octane rating of the fuel in the flow line; and display device connected to the sensor for displaying the octane rating of the fuel in the flow line.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising apparatus comprising a control unit electrically connected to the sensor and to the flow unit for changing the octane rating of the fuel flowing through the flow line in response to the sensed octane rating varying from a predetermined value.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the apparatus further comprises two storage tanks for respectively storing two fuels having different octane ratings, and wherein the octane rating of the fuel from one storage tank flowing in the flow line is changed by adding a fuel from the other storage tank to the flow line.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the apparatus further comprises a storage tank containing additive and wherein octane rating of the fuel in the flow line is changed by adding the additive to the flow line.

The system of claim 2 further comprising a meter operatively connected to the flow line for measunna the amount of flow of the fuel t through the latter flow line., the control unit being electrically connected to 4 line.

1 1 6 7 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 3 the meter for also controlling the flow of the fuel through the latter flow 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the flow unit is a valve.

7. A method for dispensing a fuel stored in a storage tank, comprising the steps of. passing the fuel from its storage tank to a dispenser nozzle; sensing the octane rating of the fuel as it flows from the storage tank to the dispenser nozzle; and displaying the octane rating of the fuel as it flow from the storage tank the dispenser nozzle.

8. The method of claim 7 fin-ther comprising the step of changing the octane rating of the fuel in response to the sensed octane rating varying from a predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of changing comprises the step of adding a fuel from another storage tank to the first-mentioned fuel.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of changing comprises the step of adding an additive to the fuel.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of measuring the flow rate of the fuel, and changing the octane rating of the fuel in response to the flow rate.

12. A dispensing system comprising: a storage tank containing a fuel; a storage tank containing an octane-increasing additive; 4 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 flow line extending from the storage tank; sensor for sensing the octane rating of the fuel in the flow line; means for introducing the additive to the fuel in the flow line in response to the sensed octane rating of the fuel varying from a predetermined value; and a display device connected to the sensor for displaying the octane rating of the fuel in the flow line.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the introduction means introduces the additive into the flow line upstream of the sensor and further comprising a control unit connected to the sensor and to the source of additive for controlling the introduction the additive into the flow line upstream of the sensor to establish and maintain a predetermine octane rating of the fuel in the flow line.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the source of additive is a storage tank and further comprising a flow line extending from the latter storage tank to the first-mentioned flow line to form a mixing zone for the fuel and the additive, and a valve associated with the latter flow line and connected to the control unit for controlling the amount of additive mixed with the fuel.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising a meter operatively connected to the flow line for measuring the amount-of flow of the mixed fuel and additive through the conduit, the control unit being connected to the meter for also controlling the flow through the flow line in response to the amount of flow of the mixed fuel and additive.

16. the steps of.

A method for dispensing a fuel from a storage tank, comprising 7 2 3 1 4 6 7 8 11 12 13 3 passing the fuel from the storage tank to a dispenser nozzle for 4 dispensing; sensing the octane rating of the fuel during the step of passing; selectively adding octane-increasing additive to the fuel; and displaying the octane rating of the fuel during the step of passing.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of adding is in response to the sensed octane rating of the fuel to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the fuel.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of adding is during the step of passing and before the step of sensing.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of measuring the flow rate of the fuel and controlling the step of adding in response to the flow rate of the fuel.

20. A dispensing system for a plurality of fuels hav ' ing different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks, the system comprising:

flow line extending from each tank; flow unit associated with at least one flow line for controlling the flow of the fuel from the corresponding tank through the latter flow line; a mixing zone communicating with the flow lines for receiving the fuels from the tanks and allowing the fuels to mix to form a blended fuel; conduit extending from the mixing zone for receiving the blended fuel; sensor for sensing the octane rating of the blended fuel; and display device connected to the sensor for displaying the octane rating of the fuel in the conduit.

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a control unit electrically connected to the sensor and to at least one flow unit for controlling the flow of the fuel through the corresponding flow line in response to the octane rating of the blended fuel to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising a meter operatively connected to the conduit for measuring the amount of flow of the blended fuel through the conduit, the control unit being electrically connected to the meter for also controlling the flow of the fuel through the corresponding flow line in response to the amount of flow of the blended fuel through the conduit.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the flow unit is a valve, wherein a valve is connected in each of the flow lines, and wherein the valves are connected to the control unit so that the flow of fuel through the corresponding flow lines is controlled.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the sensor is disposed in the conduit for sensing the octane rating of the blended fuel flowing through the conduit.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the flow unit is a valve.

26. The system of claim 20 further comprising a nozzle connected to the conduit for dispensing the blended fuel flowing through the conduit.

27. The system of claim 20 wherein the respective ends of the flow lines and the conduit are connected together to define the mixing zone.

1 2 3 4 6 9 10 11 1 2 3 1 1 2 4 28. A method for dispensing a plurality of fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks, comprising the steps of.. passing the fuels from the respective tanks to a mixing zone for mixing to form a blended fuel; passing the blended fuel from the mixing zone to a dispenser nozzle; sensing the octane rating of the blended fuel; controlling the flow of the fuel from at least one tank to the mixing zone in response to the sensed octane rating of the blended fuel to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel; and displaying the octane rating of the blended fuel.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the octane rating of the blended fuel is sensed as the blended fuel passes from the mixing zone to the dispenser nozzle.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of controlling the flow rate of the fuels through their respective flow lines.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of measuring the flow rate of the blended fuel, and controlling the flow of the fuel from at least one tank to the mixing zone in response to the flow rate of the blended fuel.

32. A dispensing system for at least one fuel stored in at least one storage tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

33. A method for dispensing a fuel stored in a storage tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A dispensing system for a plurality of fuels substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

35. A method for dispensing a plurality of fuels substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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