NZ566748A

NZ566748A - Fuel polishing and fuel quality monitoring system

Info

Publication number: NZ566748A
Application number: NZ56674808A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: John Campbell Perham
Original assignee: John Campbell Perham
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2008-03-19
Publication date: 2010-10-29

Abstract

A diesel fuel polishing system includes, together with a fuel tank 1, magnetic microbial decontamination device 2 and a circulating pump 3, a filter system 10 with at least a pair of filter units 11, 12. A sensor 14 detects when one of the filter units is blocked and automatically switches via valve 13 the flow of fuel to be filtered to the other filter unit of the pair. The blockage of the filter unit is signalled to an appropriate alarm communication facility.

Description

2 Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 Patents Form No. 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Cleaning Fuel I, John Campbell Perham, a New Zealand citizen, of PO Box 71, Westpark Village, West Auckland, New Zealand, hereby declare this invention for which I pray that a 25 patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 56^48 Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 Title Cleaning Fuel Field of Invention This invention relates to means for use in cleaning fuel. A preferred form of the invention relates to means for clearing diesel fuel of undesired life forms and water.

Background The presence of water or microorganisms in a diesel fuel tank can have a serious 10 adverse affect on the performance of an engine which draws diesel fuel from such tank. Undesirable levels of water in the fuel can cause a diesel engine to stop running and can also damage fuel injectors and injector pumps. If microorganisms, eg diesel bug, are present in diesel fuel then the associated engine can be prevented from running efficiently and may emit higher levels of undesirable greenhouse gases 15 than would otherwise be the case. Diesel bug can also lead to the blockage of fuel filters and a reduction of engine power. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to go at least some way towards the cleaning of fuel.

Summary of Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided means for cleaning diesel fuel comprising the combination of: a. a tank containing diesel fuel; b. a microbial decontamination device; c. a fuel filter system or a fuel centrifuge; d. pump means arranged for causing the fuel to move through the microbial decontamination device and through the fuel filter system or centrifuge to clean the fuel; e. a water trap associated with the microbial decontamination device; f. sensing means associated with the water trap and arranged to detect the presence of a predetermined level of water in the trap; and g. water drainage means which is activated in response to the sensing means detecting the predetermined level of water to drain water from the water trap.

Optionally the microbial decontamination device comprises a magnetic microbial decontamination device.

NOW AMENDED 566748 3 Received at IP0NZ on 20 September 2010 Optionally the means for cleaning diesel fuel has an alarm wJnich is automatically activated when the sensing means detects the predetermined j/evel of water.

Optionally the alarm is visual and/or audible.

Optionally the alarm is by way of SMS, MMS and/or /ext/message.

Optionally the filter system (if present with or without the centrifuge) comprises more 10 than one filter unit and there is means foivdetecting a predetermined level of blockage of the filter units such that if one /filter unit is blocked then fuel is automatically prevented from flowing to ttyat /ilter unit and is rather directed to a different one of the filter units.

Optionally the filter system has an alafm/neans which activates to give an alarm in response to the predetermined levelpf blockage being reached.

Optionally the alarm mentioned \u th/t claim is visual and/or audible and or by way of SMS, MMS and/or email message./ Optionally the microbial decontamination device kills microorganisms by directing light (eg UV light) to such microorganisms.

According to another ayspe/t of the invention there is provided means for cleaning 25 diesel fuel comprisingth^ combination of: a. a tar7k containing diesel fuel; a ivficrpbial decontamination device; /fuel filter system having two or more filter units; d. /pump means arranged for causing the fuel to move through the 30 / n/agnetic microbial decontamination device and through the fuel filter /system to clean the fuel; means for automatically sensing a predetermined level of blockage in the filter system and in response to such blockage diverting the flow of fuel from one of the filter units to another of the filter units; and 35 / / f. alarm means for automatically communicating the blockage.

AS AMENDED Received at IPONZ 15 June 2011 3 Optionally the means for cleaning diesel fuel has an alarm which is automatically activated when the sensing means detects the predetermined level of water.

Optionally the alarm is visual and/or audible.

Optionally the alarm is by way of SMS, MMS and/or text message.

Optionally the filter system (if present with or without the centrifuge) comprises more 10 than one filter unit and there is means for detecting a predetermined level of blockage of the filter units such that if one filter unit is blocked then fuel is automatically prevented from flowing to that filter unit and is rather directed to a different one of the filter units.

Optionally the filter system has an alarm means which activates to give an alarm in response to the predetermined level of blockage being reached.

Optionally the alarm mentioned in that claim is visual and/or audible and or by way of SMS, MMS and/or email message.

Optionally the microbial decontamination device kills microorganisms by directing light (eg UV light) to such microorganisms.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided means for cleaning diesel fuel comprising the combination of: a. a tank containing diesel fuel; b. a microbial decontamination device; c. a fuel filter system having two or more filter units; d. pump means arranged for causing the fuel to move through the microbial decontamination device and through the fuel filter system to clean the fuel; e. means for automatically sensing a predetermined level of blockage in the filter system and in response to such blockage diverting the flow of fuel from one of the filter units to another of the filter units; and f. alarm means for automatically communicating the blockage. 566J48 Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 Optionally the microbial decontamination device comprises a magnetic microbial decontamination device.

Optionally the microbial decontamination device kills microorganisms by directing 5 light to such microorganisms.

Optionally the alarm means communicates the blockage visually and/or audibly and/or by way of SMS, MMS and/or email message.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided means for cleaning diesel fuel comprising the combination of: a. a tank containing diesel fuel; b. means for killing microbial life forms; c. a fuel filter system or a fuel centrifuge; d. pump means arranged for causing the fuel to move through the means for killing microbial life forms and through the fuel filter system or centrifuge to clean the fuel; e. sensing means associated with the filter system and arranged to detect the presence of a predetermined level of blockage in the filter system; and f. an alarm for giving an alert when the predetermined level of blockage is detected (eg audibly, visually, by SMS, MMS or email).

General Description of the Drawings Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to Figure 1, which schematically illustrates a diesel fuel cleaning system.

Detailed Description Referring to figure 1, the diesel fuel cleaning system comprises a diesel fuel tank 1 and a magnetic microbial decontamination device (MMDD) 2 (magnetic microbial decontamination devices are known in the art). A fuel pump 3 causes diesel fuel to flow from a low part of the tank 1, along a pipeline 4, and to the MMDD. The MMDD 35 2 serves to break down or kill diesel bug within the fuel.

Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 The MMDD 2 has a drainage outlet 5 at a lower part thereof to which is fitted a water trap 6. At least part of the water trap 6 is made from transparent materials so that a human operator can view the level of water within it, if any. A water sensor probe 7 at the base of the water trap is connected to an alarm system 8. The alarm system 8 5 issues a warning when water in the trap 6 reaches a predetermined level. The warning may be visual and/or audible and/or an MMS, SMS or email message. The trap 6 may also have a visual detection strip to give a visual indication as to water content. The water trap 6 also has a drainage outlet 9 to enable water and undesirable containments to be drawn off when desired.

From the MMDD 2 the pump 3 causes fuel to flow to a fuel filter system 10 (or in alternative embodiments of the invention to a fuel centrifuge). The filter system 10 comprises side by side filter units 11 and 12, although in other embodiments of the invention it may have only one filter unit, or more than two filter units. The filter 15 system 10 incorporates an intake valve 13 which can direct the flow of fuel to one or other of the filter units 11 and 12. If for example the first filter unit 11 becomes blocked or partially blocked then the valve 13 prevents access of fuel to that unit and directs it to the other filter unit 12. Switching the flow of fuel from one filter unit 11 to the other 12 occurs automatically. In this regard a blockage sensor 14 detects 20 changes in vacuum pressure or fuel flow rate indicative of a partial or complete blockage and sends a signal to the valve 13 to switch the flow of fuel to the other filter unit as appropriate. The blockage sensor 14 may incorporate a vacuum meter, a vacuum sensor, and/or a fuel flow rate meter with a flow rate sensor. Preferably the change from one filter unit 11 to the other 12, and vice versa, is achieved 25 robotically when a predetermined fuel vacuum is detected or a reduction in fuel flow rate.

The fuel cleaning system has means for detecting when there has been a switch from one filter unit to the other and for sounding an alarm to alert a human operator 30 as to the need to renew the filter cartridge within the fouled filter unit, ie in readiness for a change back from the other filter unit. The alarm may be visual and/or audible and/or by SMS or email message. The vacuum and/or fuel flow sensors may also be used in detecting a serious blockage situation for the purpose of automatically stopping the fuel pump 3, and thus the movement of fuel, should the filter system 10 35 require this.

Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 Preferably each filter unit 11, 12 is fitted with its own water and other contaminant collection bowl 15. These each contain a water sensor probe 16 connected to a visual and/or audible and/or SMS or email message alarm 17. The alarm 17 is activated if the amount of water within any of the bowls 15 reaches a predetermined 5 level. The collection bowls 15 may incorporate visual water detection strips similar to those of the MMDD 2 to give a visual indication as to the amount of water in the bowls 15, if any.

At least some embodiments of the fuel cleaning system incorporate an automatic 10 water draw off mechanism fitted to the MMDD's water trap 6. The mechanism involves a water pump 18 and a suction line 19 connected to the trap's drainage outlet 9. When water levels within the trap 6 reach a predetermined level the water pump 18 is automatically activated to draw water from the trap 6 via the suction line 19. The drawn-off water is delivered to a water storage tank 20. When the amount 15 of water in the trap 6 falls below the predetermined level the water pump 18 stops automatically.

Fuel which has been filtered by the filter system 10 flows via pipeline to the suction side of the fuel pump 3 and from there is delivered back to the fuel tank 1 by way of 20 pipeline.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the fuel cleaning system can be used in the context of large diesel tanks which store diesel fuel for back-up electricity generation. The size of such tanks can make them particularly prone to the build of 25 water through condensation and to diesel bug. While this is one use for the invention it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that use.

In some embodiments of the invention the fuel tank 1 has a sensor adapted to sense when such tank is filled to a predetermined level. When the amount of fuel in the 30 tank 1 reaches that level the sensor sends a signal to trigger a cleaning cycle of the fuel within the tank 1, ie where the fuel passes through the MMDD (2) and filter system 10 as described above.

In further embodiments of the invention the MMDD (2) can be replaced by, or 35 supplemented with, an ultra violet light device for killing micro-organisms, eg diesel bug.

Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010 While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

NOW AMENDED 566748 Received at IP0NZ on 20 September 2010 Claims 1. Means for cleaning diesel fuel comprising the combinationpft\ a. a tank containing diesel fuel; b. a microbial decontamination device; c. a fuel filter system having two or more fllte/units; d. pump means arranged for causing this fuel to move through the magnetic microbial decontaminationdevice and through the fuel filter system to clean the fuel; e. means for automatically sensinc/a predetermined level of blockage in the filter system and in response to such blockage diverting the flow of fuel from one of the filter units to/another of the filter units; and f. alarm means for automatically/communicating the blockage. 2. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 1, wherein the microbial decontamination device comprises a'magnetic microbial decontamination device. 3. Means for cleaning diesel decontamination device microorganisms. fueK according to claim 1, wherein the microbial microorganisms by directing light to such 4. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 1, wherein the microbial decontamination dev/ce/ills microorganisms by directing ultraviolet light to such microorganisms.

. Means for cleaininc/ diesel fuel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm means communicates the blockage visually and/or audibly and/or by way of SMS, MMS and/or email message. 6. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to any one of the preceding claims, whereirv there is a water trap associated with the microbial decontamination device( the water trap being arranged to receive water from the fuel which is treated py the microbial decontamination device. 7. M&aras for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 6, wherein there is sensing ie^ns associated with the water trap and arranged to detect the presence of a predetermined level of water in the trap.

AS AMENDED Received at IPONZ 15 June 2011 8

Claims

1. Means for cleaning diesel fuel comprising the combination of: a. a tank containing diesel fuel; 5 b. a microbial decontamination device; c. a fuel filter system having two or more filter units; d. pump means arranged for causing the fuel to move through the microbial decontamination device and through the fuel filter system to clean the fuel; 10 e. means for automatically sensing a predetermined level of blockage in the filter system and in response to such blockage diverting the flow of fuel from one of the filter units to another of the filter units; and f. alarm means for automatically communicating the blockage. 15

2. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 1, wherein the microbial decontamination device comprises a magnetic microbial decontamination device.

3. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 1, wherein the microbial decontamination device kills microorganisms by directing light to such 20 microorganisms.

4. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 1, wherein the microbial decontamination device kills microorganisms by directing ultraviolet light to such microorganisms. 25

5. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm means communicates the blockage visually and/or audibly and/or by way of SMS, MMS and/or email message. 30

6. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a water trap associated with the microbial decontamination device, the water trap being arranged to receive water from the fuel which is treated by the microbial decontamination device. 35

7. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 6, wherein there is sensing means associated with the water trap and arranged to detect the presence of a predetermined level of water in the trap. Received at IPONZ on 20 September 2010

8. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 7, wherein the alarm means is automatically activated when the sensing means detects the predetermined level of water. 5

9. Means for cleaning diesel fuel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein there is water drainage means which is activated in response to the sensing means detecting the predetermined level of water to drain water from the water trap.

10. Means for cleaning diesel fuel substantially as herein described with reference to 10 the accompanying drawing. John Campbell Perham By His Attorney A.J. Pietras & Co