Portable Fuel Quality Analyzer
Abstract
The overall goal of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposed program (through Phase III) is to develop a novel Portable Fuel Quality Analyzer (PFQA) capable of identifying diesel or jet fuels and predicting their performance properties. The Phase I program measured approximately 100 fuels using both dispersive and Fourier Transform near-infrared analyzers. These analyzers measured the vibrational modes of the chemical composition of the fuels. This chemical information can be used to identify fuel type and determine performance properties. The Phase I measurements identified the best spectral resolution, spectral region, and sample path length to differentiate between diesel and jet fuels, as well as to determine cetane index density, distillation values, flash point, and viscosity. This information will be used to design a prototype during the Phase I Option, which will be built and tested in the Phase II Program. The goal of the Phase II program will be to evaluate the ability of two prototype PFQAs to identify diesel or jet fuels and predict their properties. This will be accomplished by building the prototypes, measuring 600 fuel samples, developing and testing comprehensive chemometric models, performing environmental tests, delivering the prototypes with user friendly software, and providing training to U.S. Army personnel. The PFQA will allow Army personnel to quickly determine fuel quality in the field, such as at the point of use. The PFQA can be widely used by all DoD personnel who require rapid analysis of fuel quality. The PFQA also will have dual-use capabilities at major airports and seaports to rapidly check fuel quality; in other transportation industries, such as trucking; and in fuel blending operations performed at petroleum, ethanol, and biodiesel plants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA596208
Entities
People
- Carl Brouillette
- Smith Wayne
- Stuart Farquharson