Automatic Batch Control of Fuel Mix

Eric

I think the simplist solution would be to attach a larger fuel tank, one with enough capacity to run the particular device over night.

Unfortunately the fire code and the cost of retrofit won't allow a larger tank to be used. That's gotcha number one....

Fire Code won't allow a larger tank but its ok to have 2 separate tanks pumping a fuel mixture into the existing tank????????

That does not make sense to me. I can understand that there may not be enough room for a larger tank to be attached directly but I can't see them allowing 2 other tanks to be sitting someplace near by pumping a fuel mixture into the existing tank either.

Why aren't you premixing the fuel manually in one separate tank then pumping it to the existing tank.

Sorry, not enough detail. The main supply tanks are outside the building. The "day tank" is the only tankage in the dyno room.

The idea of having a large mix tank outside the building and then supplying the day tank is an interesting idea. Too bad nobody thought of is a few months ago.

It always fun to be brought in at the last minute!

we use pulse meters for delivery of lubricating solutions these can be programed from a master controller and set to gallons or quarts mabey these could work for you. also if you need a bigger tank we sell those also

http://www.liftandlube.com/default.asp

That is just not fair, I checked the web site, you have access to all the toys I want.

Tell you what, sned me a lift and some tool boxes and I will write a veview for the magazine I wrtie for.

Use servo motors on your pumps to mix the batches. Controllers can then allow you to adjusted mixture by increasing or decreasing motor speed. Sensors for level control from the tank can provide information to controller maintaining fuel level. With the right match of pumps the system could maintain level with out shutting the pumps off.

I question your information are we mixing fuel into a tank to run a engine or is it the engine that is pumping the fuels and the tank holding the mixture too small for the engine to run over night?

If you are mixing fuels to fill a tank to run the engine overnight i would recommend auxiliary tank would eliminate the chance of over filling tank and causing a hazard. The auxiliary tank can be mounted off the engine.

I have a few problems about this discussion.

First you mention "fuel". This usually makes engineers and designers run for cover because it means volatile or flammable and it involves mechanical action (mixing). This is never a good situation.

Second you mention monitoring with a PC meaning the action will take place unsupervised. Once again not a good situation.

I also notice you didn't mention how fine a tolerance your mixture must be. If for example you are mixing ethenol with gasoline at a gas station they use a splash mix, meaning they just throw it in there together and hope it achieves a percentage mix that won't burn your none ethenol engine up.

It might be a better idea to use some short of stirring motion other than batch mixing.

I recommend you talk to someone in the petrochemical refining industry both about how to achieve a mixture and the cautions you need to take when mixing two hazardous materials.