Method and apparatus for detection of phase separation in storage tanks using a float sensor
First Claim
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1. A fuel storage system comprising:
- a storage tank containing a gasoline/alcohol blend having a first fluid density and a phase separated fluid having a second fluid density that is greater than the first fluid density, said phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from said gasoline/alcohol blend;
a first sensing float having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density and less than the second fluid density, said first sensing float having an output signal relating to the height of said sensing float relative to a datum; and
a controller having a comparator, said comparator comparing said output signal to the datum, whereby said controller determines the height of said first sensing float relative to said storage tank.
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Abstract
A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A fuel storage system comprising:
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a storage tank containing a gasoline/alcohol blend having a first fluid density and a phase separated fluid having a second fluid density that is greater than the first fluid density, said phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from said gasoline/alcohol blend; a first sensing float having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density and less than the second fluid density, said first sensing float having an output signal relating to the height of said sensing float relative to a datum; and a controller having a comparator, said comparator comparing said output signal to the datum, whereby said controller determines the height of said first sensing float relative to said storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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12. A device for measuring the heights of interfaces between an upper, gasoline/alcohol blend, having an upper fluid density, a lower fluid having a lower fluid density, and an intermediate, phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from the gasoline/alcohol blend and having an intermediate fluid density, the device comprising:
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a first sensing float having a first float density that is greater than the upper fluid density and less than the lower and intermediate fluid densities; a second sensing float having a second float density that is greater than the intermediate and upper fluid densities and less than the lower fluid density; and controlling means for determining the height of said first sensing float relative to a datum, whereby the height of said intermediate fluid is computed by said controlling means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 40, 43, 44)
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15. A method of determining the level of multiple fluids in a tank containing a gasoline/alcohol blend having a first fluid density and a phase separated fluid having a second fluid density that is greater than the first fluid density, said phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from said gasoline/alcohol blend, the method comprising:
monitoring the height of a first sensing float, said first sensing float relative to said storage tank having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density and less than the second fluid density. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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32. A device for measuring the level of a phase separated fluid in a storage tank containing a gasoline/alcohol blend having a first fluid density, the phase separated fluid having a second density that is greater than the first fluid density, the phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from the gasoline/alcohol blend, the device comprising:
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a first sensing float having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density and less than the second fluid density, said first sensing float having an output signal relating to the height of said sensing float relative to a datum; and a controller having a comparator, said comparator comparing said output signal to the datum, whereby said controller determines the height of said first sensing float relative to said storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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41. A device for use in a storage tank, the storage tank containing a gasoline/alcohol blend having a first fluid density, a phase separated fluid having a second fluid density, and an interface between the gasoline/alcohol blend and the phase separated fluid, the second fluid density of the phase separated fluid exceeding the first fluid density of the gasoline/alcohol blend, the phase separated fluid comprising water mixed with a portion of the alcohol from the gasoline/alcohol blend, the device comprising:
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a probe comprising; a shaft; a first float slidably coupled to the shaft, the first float having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density of the gasoline/alcohol blend and less than the second fluid density of the phase separated fluid, the first float configured to settle at the interface between the gasoline/alcohol blend and the phase separated fluid in the storage tank; and a second float slidably coupled to the shaft, the second float having a second float density that is greater than the first float density of the first float and less than the density of water; and a controller in communication with the probe to determine a level of the phase separated fluid in the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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Specification