Method and apparatus for detection of phase separation in storage tanks
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 configured to settle at a junction between the gasoline/alcohol blend and the phase separated fluid by 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, said controller issuing a notification for corrective action based on the height of said first sensing float.
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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
22 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 configured to settle at a junction between the gasoline/alcohol blend and the phase separated fluid by 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, said controller issuing a notification for corrective action based on the height of said first sensing float. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for measuring the heights of interfaces between an upper fluid having an upper fluid density, a lower fluid having a lower fluid density, and an intermediate fluid 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 heights of said first sensing float and said second sensing float relative to a datum, whereby heights of said lower fluid and of said intermediate fluid are computed by said controlling means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of determining the level of multiple fluids in a tank, the method comprising:
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providing a storage tank that contains 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; providing a first sensing float configured to settle at a junction between the gasoline/alcohol blend and the phase separated fluid by having a first float density that is greater than the first fluid density and less than the second fluid density; monitoring the height of said first sensing float relative to said storage tank; and issuing a notification for corrective action based on the height of said first sensing float. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification