FUEL COMPOSITION DISPENSING SYSTEM
The invention provides methods and systems for selecting and blending conventional fuel components into fuel compositions using an input system and for supplying a selected fuel composition into a storage container. The methods and systems incorporate a mixer to mix at least one conventional petroleum-derived fuel component received from the conventional fuel component supply system with at least one second non-petroleum fuel component received from the second fuel component supply to form fuel compositions. The present invention provides for systems and methods of supplying selected blends of conventional petroleum fuel with a non-petroleum derived fuel to provide greater consumer accessibility for petroleum blended with alternative fuels.
1 . A fuel composition-dispensing system comprising:
at least one input system;
at least one conventional fuel component supply system;
at least one second fuel component supply system;
at least one mixer;
wherein the mixer mixes at least one conventional fuel component received from the conventional fuel component supply system with at least one second fuel component received from the second fuel component supply to form a fuel composition based on a blend selected using the input system.
2 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the conventional fuel component comprises a fuel is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises a fuel is selected from the group consisting of a Fischer-Tropsch fuel, a C 1 -C 20 alcohol, a fatty acid alkyl ester and a bio-engineered fuel.
4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises ethanol.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises butanol.
6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises a fatty acid methyl ester.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises an isoprenoid.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises farnesane.
9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the second fuel component comprises a Fischer-Tropsch fuel.
10 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one conventional fuel component supply system includes at least one conventional component supply system pump and at least one conventional component flow sensor.
11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one conventional component supply system pump comprises a positive displacement pump.
12 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one conventional component flow sensor comprises a mechanical flow sensor.
13 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one second fuel component supply system includes at least one second component supply system pump and at least one second component flow sensor.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one second component supply system pump comprises a positive displacement pump.
15 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one second component flow sensor comprises a mechanical flow sensor.
16 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the mixer comprises an in-line static mixer.
17 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a blend control system.
18 . The system according to claim 17 , wherein the blend control system controls the flow of the at least one conventional fuel component and a flow of the at least one second fuel component into the mixer based on the inputted blend.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the blend control system controls the flow of the at least one conventional fuel component and the flow of the at least one second fuel component by controlling the at least one conventional component supply system pump and the at least one second component supply system pump.
20 . A method of supplying a fuel composition comprising:
receiving a selected fuel blend from a purchaser through an input system, the blend comprising at least one conventional fuel component and at least one second fuel component;
receiving a demand for supply of a fuel composition based on the selected blend from a fuel composition supply system;
controlling at least one conventional fuel component supply system and at least one second fuel component supply system to supply the at least one conventional fuel component and the at least one second fuel component to a mixer based on the selected blend;
mixing the at least one conventional fuel component and the at least one second fuel component to form a fuel composition; and
supplying the fuel composition to a storage container.
21 - 45 . (canceled)