FUEL TREATMENT SYSTEM, AND FUEL TREATMENT METHOD

Abstract

A fuel treatment system for effecting reduced emissions when combusting the fuel comprises a fuel treatment device comprising an inlet connectable to a main fuel tank and an outlet for supplying treated fuel. The fuel treatment device comprises a treatment section between said inlet and outlet, and a pump for pumping the fuel from said inlet through the treatment section to said outlet. A manifold device has an inlet connected to the outlet of the fuel treatment device, and a first outlet connectable to a fuel consumption device for supplying the treated fuel thereto. A first recirculation line connects a second outlet of the manifold device and the inlet of the fuel treatment device for recirculating treated fuel from the manifold device to the fuel treatment device.

Claims

1. A fuel treatment system for effecting reduced emissions when combusting the fuel, the fuel treatment system comprising: a fuel treatment device comprising an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a main fuel tank for receiving original fuel from the main fuel tank, an outlet for supplying treated fuel, a treatment section between the inlet and the outlet of the fuel treatment device, and a pump for pumping the fuel from the inlet of the fuel treatment device through the treatment section to the outlet of the fuel treatment device; and a manifold device having an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the fuel treatment device for receiving treated fuel from the fuel treatment device, and a first outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel consumption device for supplying the treated fuel to the fuel consumption device, wherein the fuel treatment system further comprises: a first recirculation line configured for fluid communication between a second outlet of the manifold device and the inlet of the fuel treatment device, for recirculating the treated fuel from the manifold device to the fuel treatment device, and through the fuel treatment device to the manifold device, wherein no treated fuel is supplied to the main fuel tank from the inlet of the fuel treatment device.

2. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the manifold device is a reservoir, or comprises a reservoir.

3. The fuel treatment system according to claim 2, wherein the reservoir accumulates N (N greater than 1) times treated fuel.

4. The fuel treatment system according to claim 3, wherein N is determined by a ratio between a flow rate of the pump and a fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device.

5. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein a pump flow rate is at least two times as high as a fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device.

6. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the treatment section comprises at least one magnetic treatment unit configured for subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field.

7. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the treatment section comprises at least one particle removal device.

8. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the treatment section comprises at least one magnetic treatment unit and at least one particle removal device.

9. The fuel treatment system according to claim 8, comprising at least one particle removal device located downstream of the magnetic treatment unit.

10. The fuel treatment system according to claim 8, comprising at least one particle removal device located upstream of the magnetic treatment unit.

11. The fuel treatment system according to claim 7, wherein the particle removal device comprises a sieve, a filter, a separator, a centrifuge and/or a membrane.

12. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the pump is located upstream of the treatment section.

13. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising a tank fluid line configured to extend from the inlet of the fuel treatment device to the main fuel tank, wherein the tank fluid line comprises a first one-way valve configured to allow a flow of original fuel from the main fuel tank to the inlet of the fuel treatment device, and to block a reverse flow.

14. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising a back pressure valve in the first recirculation line, wherein the back pressure valve is configured to allow a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device to the inlet of the fuel treatment device, and to block a reverse flow.

15. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising a safety fluid line configured to extend from a third outlet of the manifold device to the main fuel tank, wherein the safety fluid line comprises a pressure safety valve configured to allow a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device to the main fuel tank if a pressure of the fuel in the manifold device exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure.

16. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising: a detector configured and arranged to detect a property of the treated fuel supplied from the manifold device to the fuel consumption device or to the first recirculation line, and to supply a corresponding detector signal; and a controller configured to control the pump flow rate based on the detector signal.

17. The fuel treatment system according to claim 16, wherein the detector is configured and arranged to measure the fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device, and wherein the controller is configured to control the pump flow rate proportional to the fuel consumption rate.

18. The fuel treatment system according to claim 16, wherein the detector is configured and arranged to measure a particle size of particles in the treated fuel, and wherein the controller is configured to control the pump flow rate proportional to the particle size.

19. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel consumption device is an engine or a fuel container.

20. The fuel treatment system according to claim 1, wherein a second recirculation line, a third recirculation line, and/or a fourth recirculation line are configured for fluid communication between the fuel consumption device and the manifold device, the first recirculation line, and/or the inlet of the fuel treatment device, respectively, for recirculating the treated fuel from the fuel consumption device to the fuel treatment device.

21. The fuel treatment system according to claim 20, wherein the second, third, and/or fourth recirculation lines comprise a corresponding second, third, and/or fourth one-way valve.

22. A method of treating fuel for effecting reduced emissions when combusting the fuel, the method comprising: supplying original fuel from a main fuel tank through a fuel treatment device to a manifold device, wherein the manifold device receives treated fuel; supplying the treated fuel from the manifold device to a fuel consumption device; and recirculating the treated fuel from the manifold device through the fuel treatment device to the manifold device, wherein no treated fuel is supplied to the main fuel tank.

23. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, wherein the manifold device comprises a reservoir, and wherein the reservoir accumulates N (N greater than 1) times treated fuel.

24. The fuel treatment method according to claim 23, wherein the fuel treatment device comprises a pump, and wherein N is determined by a ratio between a flow rate of the pump and a fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device.

25. The fuel treatment method according to claim 24, wherein the pump flow rate is at least two times as high as the fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device.

26. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising, in the fuel treatment device: subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field.

27. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising, in the fuel treatment device: removing particles from the fuel.

28. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising, in the fuel treatment device: subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field; and removing particles from the fuel.

29. The fuel treatment method according to claim 28, wherein the magnetic field subjecting step is performed before the particle removing step.

30. The fuel treatment method according to claim 28, wherein the particle removing step is performed before the magnetic field subjecting step.

31. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising: allowing a flow of original fuel from the main fuel tank to the inlet of the fuel treatment device, and blocking a reverse flow.

32. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising: allowing a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device to the inlet of the fuel treatment device, and blocking a reverse flow.

33. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising: allowing a flow of treated fuel from the fuel consumption device to the inlet of the fuel treatment device, or to the manifold device.

34. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising: if a pressure of the fuel in the manifold device exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, allowing a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device to the main fuel tank, and blocking a reverse flow.

35. The fuel treatment method according to claim 22, further comprising: determining a property of the treated fuel supplied from the manifold device to the fuel consumption device or to the fuel treatment device, and, based on the property, controlling the pump flow rate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0071] FIG. 1 schematically shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a fuel treatment system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example embodiment of a fuel treatment system 1 (as indicated by a dashed line) for treating fuel, to effect reduced NOx emissions when combusting the fuel. The fuel treatment system 1 comprises a fuel treatment device 2 (as indicated by a dashed line). The fuel treatment device 2 has an inlet 3 which is configured to be in fluid communication with a main fuel tank 4 for receiving original fuel from the main fuel tank 4. The fuel treatment device 2 further has an outlet 5 for supplying treated fuel, i.e. fuel that has been treated in the fuel treatment device 2. The fuel treatment device 2 has a treatment section 6 between the inlet 3 and the outlet 5 of the fuel treatment device 2. The fuel treatment device 2 further comprises a pump 7 for pumping the fuel from the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2 through the treatment section 6 to the outlet 5 of the fuel treatment device 2.

[0073] A manifold device 8 is provided having an inlet 9 configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet 5 of the fuel treatment device 2. The manifold device 8 is configured for receiving treated fuel from the fuel treatment device 2. The manifold device 8 further has a first outlet 10 configured to be in fluid communication with a fuel consumption device 11, such as an engine, for supplying the treated fuel to the fuel consumption device 11. The manifold device in FIG. 1 is a reservoir 18.

[0074] A first recirculation line 12 is provided configured for fluid communication between a second outlet 13 of the manifold device 8 and the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2. The first recirculation line 12 allows recirculation of the treated fuel from the manifold device 8 to the fuel treatment device 2. Due to the recirculation of the treated fuel, the reservoir 18 accumulates N (N greater than 1) times treated fuel. No treated fuel is supplied to the main fuel tank 4 from the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2. This prevents dilution of treated fuel by the original fuel in the main fuel tank 4.

[0075] N may be determined by a ratio between a flow rate of the pump 7 and a fuel consumption rate of the fuel combustion device 11. For example, an N of 3 entails a flow rate of the pump 7 which is three times as high as the fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device 11. A high N is desired from an environmental point of view, since multiple recirculations of treated fuel lead to cleaner fuel, which in turn leads to cleaner emissions and lower fuel consumption. N may relate to the mean or maximum fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device 11 and/or duration thereof. A size of volume of the reservoir 18 is adapted accordingly. The fuel consumption device 11 may comprise different devices together consuming the treated fuel.

[0076] The treatment section 6 in FIG. 1 may comprise a magnetic treatment unit 14 configured for subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field. The treatment section 6 further comprises a particle removal device 15. The particle removal device 15 may be a sieve, a filter, a separator, a centrifuge, a membrane, or any combination thereof. In the following description, the particle removal device 15 is constituted by a filter. It is also possible to provide multiple magnetic treatment units 14 and filters 15 in the treatment section 6. In the shown embodiment, the magnetic treatment unit 14 is located upstream of the filter 15, and the pump 7 is located upstream of the magnetic treatment unit 14. Such an arrangement is beneficial, because due to the magnetic treatment prior to filtering, the fuel which enters the filter 15 comprises particles with a reduced particle size. When clustered particles would enter the filter 15, the filter 15 tends to have a shorter lifespan, because the clustered particles would not pass the filter 15, thereby clogging the filter 15.

[0077] Other arrangements of the treatment device 2 are also possible. The magnetic treatment unit 14 and the filter 15 may be placed either upstream or downstream of the pump 7, and the filter 15 may be placed upstream of the magnetic treatment unit 14. It is also possible to arrange the filter 15 and/or the magnetic treatment unit 14 inside the reservoir 18, such that an integrated filter-reservoir unit, and integrated magnetic treatment unit-reservoir, or an integrated filter-magnetic treatment unit-reservoir is obtained.

[0078] A tank fluid line 21 extends from the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2 to the main fuel tank 4. The tank fluid line 21 comprises a first one-way valve 20 which is configured to allow a flow of original fuel from the main fuel tank 4 to the inlet of the fuel treatment device 2, and to block a reverse flow. The tank fluid line 21 may further comprise at least one of a particle removal device, a water separation device, a water mixing device, and an additive mixing device, indicated by 16.

[0079] A back pressure valve 22 is provided in the first recirculation line 12, between the manifold device 8 and the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2. The back pressure valve 22 is configured to allow a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device 8 to the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2, and to block a reverse flow. It also provides a pressure in manifold device 8 to improve the flow of treated fuel to the fuel consumption device 11.

[0080] A safety fluid line 24 extends from a third outlet 25 of the manifold device 8 to the main fuel tank 4. The safety fluid line 24 comprises a pressure safety valve 23 which is configured to allow a flow of treated fuel from the manifold device 8 to the main fuel tank 4 if a pressure of the fuel in the manifold device 8 exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. It may serve as a safety line or back-up with respect to the first recirculation line 12, which first recirculation line 12 is configured to allow treated fuel to exit the manifold device through outlet 13. However, if the pressure inside the manifold device 8 would become higher than a predetermined threshold pressure determined by the pressure safety valve 23, treated fuel may also exit the manifold device 8 via the safety fluid line 24.

[0081] A second recirculation line 28 is in fluid communication between an output of the fuel consumption device 11 and the manifold device 8. The second recirculation line 28 may comprise a corresponding second one-way valve 31, which only allows a flow from the fuel consumption device 11 to the manifold device 8.

[0082] A third recirculation line 29 is in fluid communication between the fuel consumption device 11 and the first recirculation line 12. The third recirculation line 29 may comprise a corresponding third one-way valve 32, which only allows a flow from the fuel consumption device 11 to the first recirculation line 12.

[0083] A fourth recirculation line 30 is in fluid communication between the fuel consumption device 11 and the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2. The fourth recirculation line 30 may comprise a corresponding fourth one-way valve 33, which only allows a flow from the fuel consumption device 11 to the inlet 3 of the fuel treatment device 2.

[0084] The second 28, third 29, and fourth 30 recirculation lines allow the treated fuel which is not used by the fuel consumption device 11 to be recirculated to, and through the fuel treatment system 1. This results in even cleaner treated fuel, and thus cleaner emissions. The treated fuel does not flow from the fuel consumption device 11 to the main fuel tank 4. The treated fuel which is recirculated may be cooled after exiting the fuel consumption device 11, because this treated fuel tends to be hot. Generally, only one of these three recirculation lines 28, 29, 30 may be provided.

[0085] The fuel treatment system 1 may comprise a detector 26. The detector 26 is configured and arranged to detect a property of the treated fuel which is supplied from the manifold device 8 to the fuel consumption device 11. A corresponding detector signal is then supplied by the detector 26 to a controller 27, as indicated by a dashed line between the detector 26 and the controller 27. The controller 27 is configured to control the pump flow rate of the pump 7 based on the detector signal, as indicated by a dashed line between the controller 27 and the pump 7.

[0086] The detector 26 may be configured and arranged to measure the fuel consumption rate of the fuel consumption device 11. In accordance with the measured fuel consumption rate, the controller 27 controls the pump flow rate of the pump 7 proportional to the measured fuel consumption rate.

[0087] The detector 26 may also be configured and arranged to measure a particle size of particles in the treated fuel. In accordance with the measured particle size, the controller 27 controls the pump flow rate of the pump 7 proportional to the particle size.

It is also possible to provide a pressure sensor in the fuel treatment system, which can be used to identify filter blocking. Such a pressure sensor may be provided upstream of the filter. When the pressure upstream of the filter increases above a predetermined threshold value, the pressure sensor notices this and supplies a corresponding signal to a receiving station. An operator will be alerted and will check and/or replace the filter.

[0088] As explained in detail above, a fuel treatment system for effecting reduced NOx, CO.sub.2 and/or soot emissions when combusting the fuel comprises a fuel treatment device comprising an inlet connectable to a main fuel tank and an outlet for supplying treated fuel. The fuel treatment device comprises a treatment section between said inlet and outlet, and a pump for pumping the fuel from said inlet through the treatment section to said outlet. A manifold device 8 has an inlet connected to the outlet of the fuel treatment device, and a first outlet connectable to a fuel consumption device for supplying the treated fuel to the fuel consumption device. A first recirculation line connects a second outlet of the manifold device and the inlet of the fuel treatment device for recirculating treated fuel from the manifold device to the fuel treatment device.

[0089] It is to be understood that the invention entails the fuel treatment system of the present invention. It may be the case that when such a fuel treatment system is installed on for example a ship, certain components of the fuel treatment system are already present on such a ship. A pump is such a component that may already be present in the existing fuel supply system of the fuel consumption device. Then, the other components of the fuel treatment system of the present invention can be integrated in the existing fuel supply system using the already present pump.

[0090] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0091] The terms a/an, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

[0092] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.