In one embodiment, a process is taught where the process begins by flowing a first product through a first pipeline and flowing a second product through a second pipeline. In this embodiment, the first product in the first pipeline is analyzed with a first product automated analyzer that is capable of physical and/or chemically analyzing the first product in the first pipeline and generating a first product data. Additionally, in this embodiment, the second product in the second pipeline is analyzed with a second product automated analyzer that is capable of physical and/or chemically analyzing the second product in the second pipeline and generating a second product data. The process then produces a blended product by mixing both the first product and the second product within a pipeline interchange which is connected downstream to both the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The blended product then flows from the pipeline interchange to a third pipeline that is connected downstream of pipeline interchange. The first product data and the second product data is then interpreted in a data analyzer by comparing the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the first data to an optimal first data and the physical and/or chemical characteristics of the second data to an optimal second data. The data analyzer then determines the adjustments in the flow of the first product and the flow of the second product to achieve optimal blended data from the blended product. The adjustments are then communicated to adjust the flow of the first product in the first pipeline and the flow of the second product in the second pipeline.

Fuel compositions that are low sulfur and have adequate combustion quality are disclosed. An example fuel composition that is low sulfur may have the following enumerated properties: a sulfur content of about 0.50% or less by weight of the fuel composition; a calculated carbon aromaticity index of about 870 or less; a density at 15° C. of about 900 kg/m.sup.3 to about 1,010 kg/m.sup.3; a kinematic viscosity at 50° C. of about 100 centistokes to about 700 centistokes; and an estimated cetane number of about 7 or greater.

The present disclosure provides a method for predicting a fluid type, comprising sensing, by a first sensor, mass flow data of a fluid in an engine, wherein the first sensor operates based on a first fluid property; sensing, by a second sensor, mass flow data of the fluid, wherein the second sensor operates based on a second fluid property; and detecting, by a logic circuit of a controller, a percent difference in the mass flow data provided by the first and second sensors, the percent difference indicating that the fluid is comprised of at least a first fluid type.

A fuel quality rating testing system and related methodology. The system comprises a data acquisition system, comprising: (i) circuitry for receiving a time-varying signal from a pickup, the pickup for coupling to a test engine; and (ii) circuitry for determining a fuel rating in response to the time-varying signal. The fuel quality rating testing system also comprises a communications path coupled to the fuel quality rating testing system and a calibrator.

In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange flows a product through an upstream pipeline. An automated analyzer is connected to the upstream pipeline, wherein the automated analyzer analyzes a sample of the product, and wherein the analyzer is capable of analyzing different physical and/or chemical characteristics of the product and generating a data sample. An automatic splitter is then placed downstream of the automated slipstream analyzer. In this embodiment, the automatic splitter is capable of receiving and interpreting the data sample from the automated analyzer and directing the product into at least three different downstream pipelines, wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines is a transmix pipeline and wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines returns the product upstream of the automated analyzer.

In one embodiment, a pipeline interchange flows a product through an upstream pipeline. An automated analyzer is connected to the upstream pipeline to analyze different physical and/or chemically properties in the product and generate data from the product without extracting a sample from the upstream pipeline. An automatic splitter is placed downstream of the automated analyzer, capable of receiving and interpreting the data from the automated analyzer and directing the refined petroleum product into at least three different downstream pipelines, wherein at least one of the downstream pipelines is a transmix pipeline.

The disclosure relates to a method for determining a parameter characterizing the anti-knock property of a fuel using a test engine having at least one cylinder, wherein the fuel undergoes combustion inside the cylinder during the course of the method and the cylinder pressure generated by the combustion is detected using a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor has a linear pressure output signal curve. A parameter characterizing the anti-knock property of the fuel is calculated based on the output signal of the pressure sensor. The calculation is done using a mathematical model that considers the deviation of the pressure output signal curve of the pressure sensor being used from the pressure output signal curve of a pick-up sensor prescribed in the ASTM D2699 standard. Moreover, a test system to determine the anti-knock property of a fuel is disclosed.

A fuel quality rating testing system and related methodology. The system comprises a data acquisition system, comprising: (i) circuitry for receiving a time-varying signal from a pickup, the pickup for coupling to a test engine; and (ii) circuitry for determining a fuel rating in response to the time-varying signal. The fuel quality rating testing system also comprises a communications path coupled to the fuel quality rating testing system and a calibrator.

Products and processes are provided herewith for analyzing octane content in a fuel sample that include the step or steps of receiving an octane measurement of a fuel sample from a octane analyzer, rounding the octane measurement to a nearest recognized octane rating, comparing the rounded octane measurement with a listed octane rating for the fuel sample, and communicating results of the comparison to a user of the octane analyzer. The octane analyzer may be incorporated into a fuel pump or a vehicle. The results of the comparison may also be used to adjust the vehicle operating parameters to account for the actual octane rating of the fuel dispensed into the vehicle.

An improved liquefied natural gas vaporization system is provided for converting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to vapor so that it can be measured for integrity. The liquefied natural gas vaporization system of the present invention makes use of a sample probe that uses a cryogenic check valve to allow the vaporization process to begin early, and, due to design and incorporation with heated regulation, reduces the need for an accumulator, which is often used in other systems. By eliminating the need for an accumulator, a more real-time and authentic measurement of the LNG sample may be taken. After the probe takes the sample, the sample is sent to a sampling system and subsequently to an analytical measuring system, where the sample is measured.