US 11,808,709 B1
Method for testing and correcting phase separation in ethanol based fuels
Gaines Garrett, Baton Rouge, LA (US); and David Tiede, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Assigned to MANDATORY FUEL MANAGEMENT, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Filed by Mandatory Fuel Management, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Filed on Mar. 13, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/817,947.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/818,386, filed on Mar. 14, 2019.
Int. Cl. G01N 21/78 (2023.08); G01N 31/22 (2023.08); G01N 33/28 (2023.08); G01N 21/75 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/78 (2013.01) [G01N 31/222 (2013.01); G01N 33/2847 (2013.01); G01N 2021/755 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of testing a fuel tank and fuel within said fuel tank for phase separation and free-standing water and then treating said fuel tank and said fuel for phase separation, comprising:
a) inserting a water-detecting paste by way of a collapsible measuring stick into said fuel tank at a first opening and a second opening in order to determine if any free-standing water is present anywhere within said fuel tank or within said fuel;
b) observing any color change of said water-detecting paste;
c) pulling a plurality of fuel samples from said fuel tank;
d) placing said fuel samples in a plurality of separate clear containers;
e) placing a piece of plastic within each clear container, wherein each piece of said plastic comprises an amount of water-detecting paste;
f) observing both any color change of said water-detecting paste on each piece of plastic within each container and an amount of time it takes for said water-detecting paste to change color;
g) adding a chemical treatment to said fuel within said fuel tank in order to reduce or eliminate the presence of any water in suspension within said fuel and said fuel tank;
h) agitating said fuel tank to evenly disperse said chemical treatment;
i) allowing said fuel tank to settle;
j) pulling a plurality of additional fuel samples from said fuel tank in order to re-test for phase separation with said water-detecting paste in order to determine if additional chemical treatment of said fuel is needed; and
k) checking an octane rating of said fuel after said water-detecting paste indicates that no more free-standing water or water in suspension is present within said fuel and said fuel tank.