Automotive Tanks Research Articles

Experimental analysis of evaporative emissions of ethanol-blended gasoline in automotive tanks at different temperature conditions

Automobiles are major sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Very Volatile Organic Compounds (VVOCs), which are emitted not only from their tailpipes while running but also as evaporative emissions from gasoline fueled vehicle tanks and supply systems; these emissions are the main source of pollution for both standard and hybrid vehicles. VOCs and VVOCs can have significant effects on human health and environment, so emissions are subject to many regulations, both European and international, that are becoming increasingly stringent every year. In this paper, an experimental activity has been carried out to evaluate the fuel vapor generation from gasoline-filled fuel tanks. These experimental tests have been conducted by means of a Variable Temperature mini-SHED in Stellantis N.V. laboratories, at the Pomigliano Technical Center, in Italy. Different conditions of temperature and filling levels have been analyzed by monitoring the fuel vapors coming from the tank to the carbon canister. Tests have been divided in two groups with both constant and variable temperatures, by following standard temperature cycles, defined by regulations. Results are presented in terms of vapor temperature profiles and canister mass variation; they demonstrate the high influence of the environment temperature and of the filling levels on the emission.

Fuzzy infrared sensor for liquid level measurement: A multi-model approach

The measurement of liquid fuel in automotive vehicles, is critical to prevent malfunctions or mayor failures, predict travel autonomy, ignition engine efficiency and fuel economy. In this paper we introduce a novel system to measure the level of fuel in automotive tanks. The design of a sensor for measuring the volume of fuel level based on infra-red light emitter-receiver is illustrated. The dynamics volume on fuel in cars tank, can be represented with the variation of the height level in the tank and the surface, of due to the design with mechanical tannks asymmetry of the tanks. Other trouble is the response of the transducer, normally it has non linear operations i.e., dead zone, saturation, hysteresis; among others. In order to improve the approximation fuel volume to be measured, the fuzzy modelling Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) methodology was applied to the analogical signal obtained from the hardware that compose the sensor. In order to obtain reliable data from the transducer, a closed-loop control system to characterize and calibrate the sensor of fuel flow was implemented. The calibration of fuel volume sensor contained in the tank, was also validated with laboratory flasks and a cross validation with an electronic feedback control. A model with three fuzzy sets having cubic equations as consequent, has a highest precision than by using linear consequents. For the case of study, the RMS error of the fuzzy sensor was 128 mL in a tank of 7500 mL (1.7%).

Cyclic corrosion tests of organometallic coated fuel tanks

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of organometallic coatings of automotive fuel tanks. Galvannealed steels and galvannealed steels coated with organometallic layers were analyzed using accelerated corrosion tests. Design/methodology/approach – The characterization of galvannealed and organometallic coatings was done by mass (layer removal and weighing) and layer thickness (glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy), chemical composition (energy dispersive spectroscopy) and surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy). The accelerated corrosion tests were performed in accordance with SAE J2334 and GMW 14872 standards. Findings – The samples tested using the GMW 14872 standard were more deteriorated as compared to the samples submitted to the SAE J2334 test because of the higher degree of aggressiveness of the GMW 14872 test. Despite the presence of white rust, the corrosion resistance of organometallic-coated steel samples was higher as compared to the resistance of galvannealed steel samples. Research limitations/implications – The organometallic coating is a commercial product, whose chemical composition is confidential. Practical implications – This study reinforces the quality of automotive tanks with organometallic coating and helps to increase their competitiveness in the market tanks as compared to polymeric tanks. Social implications – The study contributes to increase the competitiveness of steel tanks against polymeric tanks that meet the technical requirements but are not environmentally friendly because they are multi-layered and cannot be recycled. Originality/value – The novelty of this study is the comparison of the corrosion resistance of galvannealed steel tanks and galvannealed steel tanks with organometallic coatings. This corrosion evaluation joined with the physical and chemical characterization was not found in literature and is relevant to the materials selection of the automotive industry.

CORROSION RESISTANCE OF ORGANOMETALLIC COATING APLICATED IN FUEL TANKS USING ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN BIOFUEL PART I

Nowadays, the industry has opted for more sustainable production processes, and the planet has also opted for new energy sources. From this perspective, automotive tanks with organometallic coatings as well as a partial substitution of fossil fuels by biofuels have been developed. These organometallic coated tanks have a zinc layer, deposited by a galvanizing process, formed between the steel and the organometallic coating. This work aims to characterize the organometallic coating used in metal automotive tanks and evaluate their corrosion resistance in contact with hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel (AEHC). For this purpose, the resistance of all layers formed between Zinc and EEP steel and also the tin coated steel, which has been used for over thirty years, were evaluated. The technique chosen was the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The results indicated an increase on the corrosion resistance when organometallic coatings are used in AEHC medium. In addition to that, these coatings allow an estimated 25% reduction in tanks production costs.

Biodiesel compatibility with carbon steel and HDPE parts

Compatibility of the new environmentally-friendly alternative of diesel engine fuels, biodiesel, with storage and engine part materials, is still an open issue. In this work, the interaction between three fuels (petroleum diesel and two types of biodiesel — soybean and sunflower) and two materials (carbon steel and high density polyethylene) used in storage and automotive tanks, is analyzed in detail. A wide set of characterization techniques was used to evaluate the changes in both solid and fluid materials, as weight change measurement, optical, scanning electron and atomic force (AFM) microscopies, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, and differential scanning calorimetry. The AFM technique allowed detecting surface roughness and morphology changes in the metallic material following the trends in the weight losses. In the case of polymeric material, weight gain by fluid absorption occurred, being detected by the spectroscopic techniques. The biodiesel fuels underwent some ageing however this phenomenon did not affect the interaction between the biodiesel fuels and the substrates. The petrodiesel, which did not age, caused more significant degradation of the substrates.

Performance analysis of a new tank configuration applied to the natural gas storage systems by adsorption

This work presents a numerical study of a new tank configuration applied to natural gas storage systems by adsorption. The traditional tanks employed in natural gas storage by adsorption reveal serious limitations for use in fast charge systems because of their inefficiency in the dissipation of adsorption heat. In order to eliminate the detrimental effects of adsorption heat, and to make viable the fast charge of gas in automotive tanks, a vessel made up of several tubes, compacted with activated carbon, was proposed. In the charge process, the gas circulates through the tank and all non-adsorbed gasses pass through an external heat exchanger installed close to the gas source of the refueling station. The numerical results obtained in the present work showed that the charge time of the new system can vary from 50 to 200 s, depending on the applied mass flow rate. These time periods are considered satisfactory for fast charge conditions. Another advantage of this new system is that there will be no need to include the accessories employed in traditional tanks, such as: fins, perforated tube in the tank center and a cooling external jacket, which would increase the complexity of the vessel design.