WO2019195311A1

WO2019195311A1 - System and method for fuel refinery and dispensing, and fuel composition

Info

Publication number: WO2019195311A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/025416
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joshua Koch
Original assignee: Joshua Koch
Priority date: 2018-04-02
Filing date: 2019-04-02
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

Various embodiments of a system and method for fuel refinery and dispensing, and a fuel composition, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for fuel refinery and dispensing includes a cabinet, a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, a fuel refinery containment tank, and a dispensing system. Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, fuel refinery containment tank, and dispensing system may be contained on a skid.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUEL REFINERY

AND DISPENSING. AND FUEL COMPOSITION

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/651,378, filed on April 2, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fossil fuels, and various fuels derived from fossil fuels, are used worldwide in motor vehicles, ships, aircraft, equipment, power generation, heat generation, and various other systems. Users of various fossil-fuel powered systems face increasing fuel costs, increasing engine maintenance costs, increasing engine performance demands, and expanding emissions regulations from regulatory agencies.

[0003] However, one common issue with the use of fossil fuel-powered systems is that modem vehicles are forced to operate using fuels having inconsistent quality and a significant amount of contaminants. Ultra-low sulfur diesel is one such fuel of poor or inconsistent quality. Once these fuels are refined, the fuels are stored in corroding storage tanks and pipelines and transported in corroding tanks having particulates and other contaminants certain to degrade the fuel quality. Storage in these tanks also causes bacterial growth, which accelerates fuel degradation. Due to flushing of the lines and tanks, water also becomes trapped in the fuel. Additionally, the time and distance from refinery to an engine fuel tank can be significant and thus further increases the likelihood of contamination from water and other impurities. As a result, fuel quality can vary as much as 30%.

[0004] This inconsistent fuel quality does not go without consequence. Inconsistent fuel quality adds to the maintenance costs of a vehicle. Diesel engine experts report that poor quality fuel is the most likely cause of engine failure. Additionally, poor fuel quality results in reduced performance and lower combustion efficiency. In the case of corporate and municipal fleets, the impact of reduced performance and, therefore, increased fuel costs of each vehicle across an entire fleet is significant. Engine failure and maintenance costs added to the fuel costs further aggravate the expensive issues caused by fuel quality for a fleet. Moreover, a lower quality fuel will release more VOCs such as NOX, HC, and black smoke into the atmosphere, thereby significantly impacting our environment. Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance costs, engine performance, and exhaust emissions represent major consequences to the reduced and inconsistent quality of vehicle fuel.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In one embodiment, a system for fuel refinery and dispensing includes a cabinet, a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, a fuel refinery containment tank, and a dispensing system. Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, fuel refinery containment tank, and dispensing system may be contained on a skid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example apparatuses and systems, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments. In the figures, like elements bear like reference numerals.

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a fuel refinement apparatus.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of one embodiment of a fuel refinery system.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an elevational view of one embodiment of operations panel gauges of a fuel refinery system.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of a flow sensor of one embodiment of the fuel refinement apparatus. [0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of a particulate filter of a fuel refinement apparatus.

[0012] FIG. 6A illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of an ultrasonic energy source for a fuel refinement apparatus.

[0013] FIG. 6B illustrates a sectional view of the ultrasonic energy source for a fuel refinement apparatus of FIG. 6A.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an elevational view of one embodiment of a magnetic field source and structure for a fuel refinement apparatus.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of a water filter for the fuel refinement apparatus.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates an elevational view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0018] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates an elevational view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

[0022] FIG. 15A illustrates a side elevational view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system. [0023] FIG. 15B illustrates an end elevational view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, fuel refinement apparatus 20 may comprise a fuel conduction system 22 and a catalyst tank 24 containing a catalyst 26. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and as further illustrated in the schematic of FIG. 2, fuel refinement apparatus 20 may further comprise, in series, a particulate filter 28 adapted to remove particulates from fuel flowing through fuel conduction system 22, a water filter 30 that may remove water from fuel flowing through the fuel conduction system 22 following its passage through particulate filter 28, a magnetic field 32 that may be of sufficient strength to further refine the fuel flowing through the fuel conduction system 22 following its passage through water filter 30, a catalyst injector 34 that may be configured to inject catalyst 26 from catalyst tank 24 into the fuel flowing through fuel conduction system 22 following its passage through magnetic field 32, and a dispensing conduit 36 that may be configured to conduct the fuel from fuel refinement apparatus 20 following injection of catalyst 26.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates particulate filter 28, also illustrated in FIG. 1. Particulate filter 28 of FIG. 5 may be of sufficient fineness to reduce microbial contamination in the fuel. Additionally, particulate filter 28 may comprise a pressure gauge 38, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates water filter 30, also illustrated in FIG. 1. Water filter 30 may be a water coalescer. Water filter 30 may be of sufficient fineness to reduce particles of about 10 microns in the fuel. Referring again to FIG. 3, water filter 30 may additionally comprise a water pressure gauge 40.

[0027] In one embodiment, catalyst 26 may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. The magnetic field 32 may mechanically crack the fuel chains, thereby creating more surface area for bonding of the fuel with catalyst 26. FIG. 7 illustrates a structure supplying a magnetic field 32, also illustrated in FIG. 1. Catalyst injector 34 may inject catalyst 26 into the fuel immediately after the fuel passes through the magnetic field 32. Immediate catalyst injection may allow catalyst 26 to quickly bond to the increased surface area of the fuel molecules before the effect of the mechanical cracking dissipates as the fuel molecules gradually rejoin each other. Catalyst 26 may be injected within three seconds of the fuel passing through magnetic field 32. In one embodiment, catalyst injector 34 is located no more than 12 inches from magnetic field 32 such that catalyst 26 may be injected immediately after the fuel is subjected to magnetic field 32.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 4, catalyst injector 34 may comprise a flow sensor 42. As illustrated in FIG. 1, fuel refinement apparatus 20 may additionally comprise a fuel leak sensor

44.

[0029] Fuel refinement apparatus 20 may additionally comprise a system 46 that may be configured to monitor or control one or more of the following aspects of the fuel refinement apparatus: power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel.

[0030] Fuel refinement apparatus 20 may comprise one or more sensors adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of fuel refinement apparatus 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a data transmitter 48 may be adapted to transmit data from fuel refinement apparatus 20. The data relating to the operation of the fuel refinement apparatus 20 may relate to power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, or flow rate of fuel. In one embodiment, data transmitter 48 transmits data collected by system 46 from fuel refinement apparatus 20 to a corresponding receiver external to fuel refinement apparatus 20. [0031] FIGS.6A and 6B illustrate a source of ultrasonic energy 50, which may be included in fuel refinement apparatus 20 in FIG. 1. FIG. 6B is a sectional taken about line A-A in FIG. 6A. Source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be oriented along fuel conduction system 22 so as to reduce microbial cells in the fuel. That is, source of ultrasonic energy 50 may apply ultrasonic energy to fuel traveling in fuel conduction system 22.

[0032] In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be used as an additional means of cracking the fuel molecules. In another embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be the only means of cracking the fuel molecules, in which case, magnetic field 32 may be eliminated in its entirety. Alternatively, a second source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be used instead of magnetic field 32, thus resulting in two sources of ultrasonic energy 50, one each at each point represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 as magnetic field 32 and source of ultrasonic energy 50. Alternatively, a single source of ultrasonic energy 50 may supply ultrasonic energy at each point represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 as magnetic field 32 and source of ultrasonic energy 50.

[0033] As with magnetic field 32 discussed above, catalyst 26 may be inj ected immediately after fuel has been cracked by the source of ultrasonic energy 50 to accelerate bonding of catalyst 26 with the fuel.

[0034] In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be used to destroy microbes in fuel that passes through an ultrasonic energy field that source of ultrasonic energy 50 produces. In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 50 may be used to harmonically tune a hydrocarbon chain in fuel that passes through an ultrasonic energy field that source of ultrasonic energy 50 produces. Source of ultrasonic energy 50 may create a gauss field, which may have a shearing effect to break apart hydrocarbon clusters in the fuel.

[0035] In one embodiment, fuel refinement apparatus 20 may be mobile in nature, and may be contained on a vehicle or other mobile device (e.g., in a container capable of being easily transported from one location to another) in an operational state, so as to permit a user to treat fuel at any of a variety of sites. In one embodiment, fuel refinement apparatus 20 may be mobile, and may be associated with a mobile fuel storage tank, thus permitting untreated fuel to be transported with fuel refinement apparatus 20, where fuel refinement apparatus 20 can treat fuel as it is dispensed into another fuel storage tank, including for example, a fuel tank on a vehicle or piece of equipment. FIG. 2 illustrates one method and system of use of fuel refinement apparatus 20, as described immediately above.

[0036] In one embodiment, at a first location, fuel is placed into a fuel refinery containment tank 18 adapted to contain and supply fuel. Tank 18 may be operatively connected to fuel refinement apparatus 20 and fuel refinement apparatus 20 may be configured to accept fuel from containment tank 18 via a pipe or duct, for example. The fuel may be conducted through fuel conduction system 22, as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fuel may be conducted through particulate filter 28 that may be adapted to remove particulates, water filter 30 that may be adapted to remove water after the fuel passes through particulate filter 28, magnetic field 32 that may be of sufficient strength to further refine the fuel following its passage through water filter 30, catalyst injector 34 that may be configured to inject catalyst 26 from catalyst tank 24 into the fuel following its passage through magnetic field 32, and dispensing conduit 36 to finally dispense the fuel from fuel refinement apparatus 20 after injection of catalyst 26. The method of refinement of fuel following transport may further comprise transporting the fuel to a second location and refining fuel through fuel refinement apparatus 20 and dispensing the fuel to holding tank 52 at the second location. The second location may be a vehicle fueling station such as a consumer gas station or a central storage or fueling station for a vehicle fleet. Alternatively, the method of refinement of fuel following transport may include refining fuel through fuel refinement apparatus 20 and dispensing the fuel to holding tank 52 at the first location, without having to transport the fuel between steps. [0037] With respect to FIGS. 9-12, aspects of a fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 are illustrated.

[0038] System 60 may include a fuel storage tank 62 that may be adapted to contain and supply fuel. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 may be configured to accept fuel from storage tank 62. Apparatus 64 may comprise a fuel conduction system 66, a catalyst tank 68 containing a catalyst 70, and, in series, a particulate filter 72 that may be adapted to remove particulates, a water filter 74 that may be adapted to remove water after the fuel passes through particulate filter 72, a magnetic field 76 that may be of sufficient strength to further refine the fuel following its passage through water filter 74, and a catalyst injector 78 configured to inject catalyst 70 from catalyst tank 68 into the fuel flowing through the fuel conduction system 66 following its passage through magnetic field 76, and a dispensing conduit 80 configured to conduct fuel from fuel refinement apparatus 64 following injection of catalyst 70. Apparatus 64 may further comprise a pump 82 that may be adapted to pump the fuel through fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 and a switch 84 governing pump 82. Switch 84 may be manually operable.

[0039] As with the fuel refinery system disclosed above, particulate filter 72 of the fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 may be of sufficient fineness to reduce microbial contamination in the fuel. Particulate filter 72 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Particulate filter 72 may additionally comprise a pressure gauge 86, as shown in FIG. 3. Water filter 74 may be a water coalescer and may be of sufficient fineness to reduce particles of about 10 microns in the fuel. Water filter 74 may additionally comprise a pressure gauge 88, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] Catalyst 70 may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones. Magnetic field 76 may mechanically crack the fuel chains, thereby creating more surface area for bonding of the fuel with catalyst 70. Magnetic field 76 is illustrated in FIG. 7. Catalyst injector 78 may inject catalyst 70 into the fuel immediately after the fuel passes through magnetic field 76. Immediate catalyst injection may allow catalyst 70 to quickly bond to the increased surface area of the fuel molecules before the effect of the mechanical cracking dissipates as the fuel molecules gradually rejoin each other. In one embodiment, catalyst 70 is injected within three seconds of the fuel passing through magnetic field 76. In one embodiment, catalyst injector 78 is located no more than 12 inches from magnetic field 76 such that catalyst 70 is injected immediately after the fuel is subjected to magnetic field 76. Catalyst injector 78 may additionally comprise a flow sensor 90, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 may additionally comprise a fuel leak sensor 92, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 may comprise a system 94 that may be configured to monitor or control at least one of the following aspects of the fuel refinement apparatus: power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel. Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 may additionally comprise at least one sensor 96 adapted to obtain data relating to the operation of fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64, and a data transmitter 97 adapted to transmit the data from fuel refinement apparatus 64. The data relating to the operation of fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 may be selected from the group including data related to power applied, system power, fuel head optimal, primary filter media optimal, coalescer filter media optimal, catalyst level optimal, liquid (water or fuel) level in refinery enclosure, and flow rate of fuel.

[0042] Fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 may additionally comprise a vehicle supportive surface 98 that may be configured to allow a fuel engine vehicle 100 to be brought into the vicinity of dispensing conduit 80, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Dispensing conduit 80 may be of sufficient length to supply fuel from fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 to fuel engine vehicle 100. [0043] In a one embodiment, fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 additionally comprises a source of ultrasonic energy 102 positioned along the fuel conduction system 66 so as to reduce microbial cells in the fuel, as shown FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0044] In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 102 may be used as an additional means of cracking the fuel molecules. In another embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 102 may be the only means of cracking the fuel molecules, in which case, magnetic field 76 may be eliminated in its entirety. Alternatively, a second source of ultrasonic energy 102 may be used instead of magnetic field 76, thus resulting in two sources of ultrasonic energy 102, one each at each point represented in FIG. 11 as magnetic field 76 and source of ultrasonic energy 102. Alternatively, a single source of ultrasonic energy 102 may supply ultrasonic energy at each point represented in FIG. 11 as magnetic field 76 and source of ultrasonic energy 102.

[0045] In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 102 may be used to destroy microbes in fuel that passes through an ultrasonic energy field that source of ultrasonic energy 102 produces. In one embodiment, source of ultrasonic energy 102 may be used to harmonically tune a hydrocarbon chain in fuel that passes through an ultrasonic energy field that source of ultrasonic energy 102 produces. Source of ultrasonic energy 102 may create a gauss field, which may have a shearing effect to break apart hydrocarbon clusters in the fuel.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the method of refinement and dispensing of fuel may comprise the process similar to the process detailed in FIG. 2. The method of dispensing refined fuel to a vehicle may further comprise monitoring the flow of fuel through fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64 to the fuel engine vehicle 100.

[0047] Fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 as illustrated in in FIGS. 9 and 10 may include catalyst tank 68 incorporated into the structure of fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the fuel refinery and dispensing system of an alternative embodiment may feature a catalyst tank 103 disposed adjacent to, but outside of, a structure 104 enclosing a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 106.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12, fuel refinery and dispensing system 60 may include an“all-in-one” pretreatment fuel storage tank 62 and fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 64/106, such that system 60 can be situated at a refueling station to process fuel and dispense it on-site.

[0049] System 60 may treat fuel (including purifying, stabilizing, cracking, adding catalyst, and treating it) on demand, such that when a user dispenses fuel, system 60 draws pretreated fuel from fuel storage tank 62, processes it, and dispenses it directly into a vehicle, equipment, mobile fuel, tank, or any other mobile apparatus into which one desires to dispense fuel.

[0050] Alternatively, system 60 may treat fuel (including purifying, stabilizing, cracking, adding catalyst, and treating it) in advance, such that system 60 draws pretreated fuel from fuel storage tank 62, processes it, and dispenses it into a post-treatment tank (not shown). The post treatment tank may have an associated dispensing device (including a pump, valve, and the like), such that when a user dispenses fuel, the post-treatment fuel is dispensed from a post treatment tank and directly into a vehicle, equipment, mobile fuel, tank, or any other mobile apparatus into which one desires to dispense fuel.

[0051] It is contemplated that the fuel to be refined or otherwise processed by any system, method, or apparatus described herein may include any of a variety of fuels, including, without limitation: liquid fuels, fossil fuels, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, kerosene, bunker fuel, liquid propane, and compressed natural gas.

[0052] The fuel composition may be produced by the process of the steps in series performed upon a fuel containing particulates and water as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. The steps may include removing particulates from the fuel, removing water from the fuel, subjecting the fuel to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to further refine the fuel following the removal of particulates and water, and admixing a catalyst into the fuel following its refinement by the magnetic field.

[0053] The particulate content of the fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 2 microns. The water content of the fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 10 PPM. The microbial content of the fuel composition produced by the process may be below about 1 LFV/mL. The cetane value of the fuel composition produced by the process may be in the range of 45-52. The lubricity value of the fuel composition produced by the process may be about 2.65 CST or better. The catalyst may comprise aromatic hydrocarbons and ketones and may be present in a ratio of 1/500, or at least 1/1000.

[0054] The fuel composition produced by the process may, when combusted in an engine, result in exhaust gases having between about 4% and about 6% less nitrogen oxide emissions than the same type of fuel that has not been processed when combusted in the same engine under the same operating conditions. Nitrogen oxide emissions are known to be harmful to the health of humans when breathed.

[0055] The fuel composition produced by the process may, when combusted in an engine, result in exhaust gases having between about 19% and about 27% less hydrocarbon emissions than the same type of fuel that has not been processed when combusted in the same engine under the same operating conditions. Hydrocarbon emissions are known to be harmful to the health of humans when breathed.

[0056] The fuel composition produced by the process may, when combusted in an engine, result in the generation of greater horsepower than the same type of fuel that has not been processed when combusted in the same engine under the same operating conditions.

[0057] FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system 1300. System 1300 may be an“all-in-one” system, having within a cabinet 1301, a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302, a fuel refinery containment tank 1304, and a dispensing system 1306 contained in one unit. Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302, fuel refinery containment tank 1304, and dispensing system 1306 may be contained on a skid 1308.

[0058] Fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302 may be substantially the same as those described above herein. In one embodiment, apparatus 1302 additionally includes a particle counter to provide data on fuel quality (including for example, real time fuel quality) at apparatus 1302 itself. Fuel may be filtered to a purity of 5 microns.

[0059] Containment tank 1304 may be a double-walled tank. The use of a double-walled tank may improve the containment of fuel in the event of tampering with tank 1304, a collision with tank 1304 by a vehicle or equipment, and the like. Tank 1304 may be configured to eliminate the need for secondary containment berms or basins around system 1300.

[0060] Dispensing system 1306 may include a pump for transferring fuel from tank 1304, through apparatus 1302, and into an external tank, such as a fuel tank on a vehicle, equipment, and the like. Dispensing system 1306 may include metering equipment to control and/or measure the volume of and/or flow rate of fuel dispensed.

[0061] Dispensing system 1306 may include a tank monitoring system 1312. Tank monitoring system 1312 may include at least one of a display and a user interface (including for example, controls). Tank monitoring system 1312 may include a touch-screen for user interface. Tank monitoring system 1312 may include a real-time tank monitor for at least one of: primary monitoring, interstitial monitoring, and sump monitoring.

[0062] Dispensing system 1306 may include a cardlock 1314. Cardlock 1314 may track each transaction/dispensing of fuel. Cardlock 1314 may control authorized users so as to allow authorized users to enter a code, swipe a card, or otherwise activate system 1300 using authorized credentials. Cardlock 1314 may prevent the operation of system 1300 to users who are not authorized to dispense fuel or otherwise access system 1300. Cardlock 1314 may include a transmitter to permit a Bluetooth connection to a mobile device, an onboard computer on a vehicle or equipment, and the like. The transmitter may allow a user of system 1300, an operator of system 1300, or a manager responsible for monitoring system 1300, to download analytics related to at least one of: the purity of the fuel, the amount of fuel dispensed, the volume of remaining fuel, the health of system 1300, and the volume of catalyst remaining in system 1300. Cardlock 1314 may track the identity of an authorized user of system 1300, such that a record of that individual’s fuel usage may be tracked.

[0063] In one embodiment, a user of system 1300 may be, for example, a driver of a vehicle receiving fuel through system 1300. The user will fill the fuel tank of the vehicle to maximum capacity during each fueling event as a required policy. Cardlock 1314 may use the analytics associated with that user’s fuel consumption, in addition to vehicle mileage transmitted to cardlock 1314 wirelessly during fueling (e.g., via Bluetooth connection or another wireless connection) to create accurate tank statistics and identify the mileage per gallon that that particular vehicle is able to achieve using the fuel. Cardlock 1314 and/or a manager reviewing statistics generated by cardlock 1314 may identify potential issues with a vehicle based upon the statistics, such as, by way of example and not intended to be limiting, a fuel pump issue or a fuel injector issue, based on known history of that vehicle’s performance. In this manner, a manager may require that the vehicle experiencing potential issues be reviewed by a mechanic to identify the source of the issue, replace parts as necessary, perform preventative maintenance on the vehicle to remedy the issues, and the like, any of which may potentially prevent a later failure of the vehicle that may be more costly and/or leave the vehicle non-operational at a location or time that is less convenient for the users of the vehicle.

[0064] Dispensing system 1306 may include fuel and fleet management technology 1316 for the management of fleet and fuel operations for multiple systems 1300 from a remote interface (for example, an interface on a computer website or remote network). [0065] In one embodiment, dispensing system 1306 may include an“auto-purchase” capability via an internet or phone connection (wired or wireless). Dispensing system 1306 may monitor the volume of fuel in its tank 1304, and at a predetermined minimum fuel volume level, dispensing system 1306 may automatically send a level alert to a system manager. Additionally, or alternatively, at a predetermined minimum fuel volume level, dispensing system 1306 may send a bid request to one or more fuel suppliers in its network, automatically select the lowest bid, and place an order for the necessary volume of fuel to fill tank 1304 to a predetermined fuel volume level.

[0066] As a result of the design of system 1300 and the use of skid 1308, placement of system 1300 may be easily placed at any of a variety of locations, requiring only a substantially level base upon which to set system 1300, or the ability to level skid 1308 if placed on an unlevel base. The use of skid 1308 eliminates the need to prepare a special based upon which to set system 1300 as would be necessary in the absence of skid 1308.

[0067] System 1300 may include security doors 1310, which may be selectively closed and secured (e.g., via a lock) to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of cabinet 1301 and apparatus 1302, unauthorized dispensing, tampering, vandalism, and the like. Additionally, system 1300 and security doors 1310 may operate to secure all ports, fittings, and capture spills and drips which may occur within the cabinet 1301.

[0068] System 1300 may additionally include within cabinet 1301 a fill hose 1318 for the dispensing of treated fuel to a vehicle, equipment, external tank, and the like. Fill hose 1318 may be contained on an integrated hose reel.

[0069] In one embodiment, system 1300 includes an electrical panel to control the supply of electricity to each of the electrical components contained within system 1300. System 1300 may include any of prewired systems, electrical components, lighting, and the like, such that system 1300 is simply electrically connected to an electrical supply of the appropriate voltage upon placement of system 1300, after which system 1300 may be electrically operational. Similarly, system 1300 may be pre-plumbed with all required fluid connections in place. System 1300 may be self-contained unit, requiring only a single primary electrical connection after placement to become electrically operational.

[0070] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system 1400. System 1400 includes the same components as system 1300, with an alternative arrangement for placement of dispensing system 1306 and fill hose 1318 outside of cabinet 1301. Additionally, any of the optional pump for transferring fuel, tank monitoring system 1312, cardlock 1314, and fleet management technology 1316 components of dispensing system 1306 may be oriented outside of cabinet 1301. It is contemplated that various physical arrangements of systems 1300 and 1400 are possible, and specifically the placement of various components inside or outside of cabinet 1301 for security and safety concerns, as necessary to the end user.

[0071] As each of the components of system 1400 are oriented on skid 1308, placement of system 1400 is the same as that of system 1300, and system 1400 may likewise be a self- contained unit as is optional in system 1300.

[0072] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate one embodiment of a fuel refinery and dispensing system 1500. System 1500 may have a plurality of containment tanks, including a containment tank 1304 and a containment tank 1320. In one embodiment, containment tank 1304 may contain a first fuel, such as diesel fuel, while containment tank 1320 may contain a second fuel, such as gasoline.

[0073] Both tanks 1304 and 1320 may be contained on skid 1308 to make a single unit for easy placement and moving.

[0074] In one embodiment, system 1500 may include a plurality of dispensing systems 1306, one corresponding to each tank 1304 and 1320, and thus one corresponding to each fuel in those tanks. In one embodiment, system 1500 includes a single dispensing system 1306 responsible for dispensing fuel from each of tanks 1304 and 1320.

[0075] In one embodiment, each tank 1304 and 1320 has its own corresponding fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302 to refine and processing the fuel contained in each tank. In another embodiment, only one tank has a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302 for refining and processing the fuel contained in that tank, while the other tank is devoid of a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302.

[0076] In one embodiment, tank 1304 includes a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302 for refining and processing the fuel contained in that tank, such as diesel fuel. In this embodiment, tank 1320 does not include a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus 1302, and the fuel from that tank, such as gasoline, is dispensed directly into a vehicle, equipment, external tank, and the like, without refining and processing.

[0077] To the extent that the term“includes” or“including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term“or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean“A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate“only A or B but not both” then the term“only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term“or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Gamer, A Dictionary of Modem Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms“in” or“into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean“on” or“onto.” To the extent that the term“substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to take into consideration the degree of precision available or prudent in manufacturing. To the extent that the term“selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term“operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include the plural. Finally, where the term“about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ± 10% of the number. In other words,“about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

[0078] As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for fuel refinery and dispensing, comprising:

a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus including:

a particulate filter;

a water filter;

a catalyst injector; and

a dispensing conduit;

a fuel refinery containment tank; and

a dispensing system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus further comprises a particle counter.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cabinet with at least one security door, wherein the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus is contained within the cabinet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel refinery containment tank is a double- walled tank.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system includes a pump for transferring a fuel from the fuel refinery containment tank, through the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, and into an external tank.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system includes a tank monitoring system including at least one of a display and a user interface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing system includes a cardlock.

8. A system for fuel refinery and dispensing, comprising:

a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus including:

a particulate filter; a water filter;

a catalyst injector; and

a dispensing conduit;

a fuel refinery containment tank and

a dispensing system; and

a cabinet,

wherein the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus is contained within the cabinet, and wherein the dispensing system is located outside of the cabinet.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus further comprises a particle counter.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the cabinet comprises at least one security door.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the fuel refinery containment tank is a double- walled tank.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the dispensing system includes a pump for transferring a fuel from the fuel refinery containment tank, through the fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus, and into an external tank.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the dispensing system includes a tank monitoring system including at least one of a display and a user interface.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the dispensing system includes a cardlock.

15. A system for fuel refinery and dispensing, comprising:

a fuel refinement and dispensing apparatus including:

a particulate filter;

a water filter; a catalyst injector; and

a dispensing conduit;

a plurality of fuel refinery containment tanks; and

at least one dispensing system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of fuel refinery containment tanks includes a first fuel refinery containment tank containing a first fuel, and a second fuel refinery containment tank containing a second fuel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first fuel is diesel fuel, and wherein the second fuel is gasoline.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one dispensing system comprises a single dispensing system for dispensing a fuel from each of the plurality of fuel refinery containment tanks.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one dispensing system comprises a first dispensing system for dispensing a fuel from a first refinery containment tank, and a second dispensing system for dispensing fuel from a second refinery containment tank.