Methods for making and distributing batches of butane-enriched gasoline
First Claim
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1. An automated method of making a batch of butane-enriched gasoline and simultaneously certifying the volatility of the batch comprising:
- a) prescribing a maximum volatility for the batch;
b) providing a flow of gasoline through a conduit, wherein said gasoline has a volatility and a flow rate, and said flow has a start time and an end time corresponding to the batch of gasoline (the “
batch interval”
);
c) withdrawing a sample of said gasoline through a first withdrawal port on said conduit and measuring the volatility of said sample;
d) calculating a ratio at which butane can be blended with said gasoline to produce a blended gasoline having a volatility less than or equal to the maximum volatility;
e) blending butane through an automated blending unit into said gasoline stream downstream of said first withdrawal port at a blend rate that is based on said ratio calculated in step (d) and the flow rate of gasoline through said conduit, thereby producing butane-enriched gasoline;
f) continually repeating steps (c) and (d) on an automated basis at prescribed intervals throughout the batch interval, and adjusting the blend rate in step (e) based upon changes to the ratio calculated in step (d);
g) measuring the volatility of the butane-enriched gasoline by;
i) withdrawing a sample of said butane-enriched gasoline through a second withdrawal port on said conduit into a container;
ii) chilling said sample to approximately zero or one degree Celsius;
iii) saturating said sample with air;
iv) measuring the volatility of said sample; and
v) recording in a database the volatility measured in sub-step (iv); and
h) continually repeating step (g) on an automated basis at prescribed intervals throughout the batch interval;
wherein the volatility measured in step (g) is not used to adjust the butane blending rate of step (e).
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Abstract
Disclosed are automated methods and systems for certifying the volatility of butane-enriched gasoline downstream of a butane blending operation. Such automated methods and systems provide significant advantages to comply with volatility requirements imposed by EPA or state regulations.
47 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An automated method of making a batch of butane-enriched gasoline and simultaneously certifying the volatility of the batch comprising:
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a) prescribing a maximum volatility for the batch; b) providing a flow of gasoline through a conduit, wherein said gasoline has a volatility and a flow rate, and said flow has a start time and an end time corresponding to the batch of gasoline (the “
batch interval”
);c) withdrawing a sample of said gasoline through a first withdrawal port on said conduit and measuring the volatility of said sample; d) calculating a ratio at which butane can be blended with said gasoline to produce a blended gasoline having a volatility less than or equal to the maximum volatility; e) blending butane through an automated blending unit into said gasoline stream downstream of said first withdrawal port at a blend rate that is based on said ratio calculated in step (d) and the flow rate of gasoline through said conduit, thereby producing butane-enriched gasoline; f) continually repeating steps (c) and (d) on an automated basis at prescribed intervals throughout the batch interval, and adjusting the blend rate in step (e) based upon changes to the ratio calculated in step (d); g) measuring the volatility of the butane-enriched gasoline by; i) withdrawing a sample of said butane-enriched gasoline through a second withdrawal port on said conduit into a container; ii) chilling said sample to approximately zero or one degree Celsius; iii) saturating said sample with air; iv) measuring the volatility of said sample; and v) recording in a database the volatility measured in sub-step (iv); and h) continually repeating step (g) on an automated basis at prescribed intervals throughout the batch interval; wherein the volatility measured in step (g) is not used to adjust the butane blending rate of step (e). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automated method of making a batch of butane-enriched gasoline and simultaneously certifying the volatility of the batch comprising:
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a) blending butane at a butane blending rate through an automated blending unit into a flow of gasoline to produce butane-enriched gasoline, wherein said flow is defined by a start time and an end time corresponding to a batch of gasoline (the “
batch interval”
);b) providing means for automatically measuring the volatility of gasoline by withdrawing a sample of gasoline from a gasoline flow;
chilling said sample to approximately zero or one degree Celsius;
saturating said sample with air; and
measuring the volatility of said sample;c) implementing said means to measure the volatility of the butane-enriched gasoline produced in step (a); and d) recording in a database the volatility measured in step (c); wherein the volatility measured in step (b) is not used to adjust the butane blending rate of step (a).
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Specification