Fuel Metering System/Misfuelling

[tommytroubles]

Hi guys,

I am currently studying automotive engineering at Swansea Institute of Higher Education. As part of our final year project we are required to identify a problem, justify the need and design a suitable solution.

I'm sure that you are aware of the damage that incorrect fuel can cause to vehicle systems, most notably the injection pump and this can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. Recent research published by the AA indicates that more than 150,000 people year misfuel their vehicles and 95% of them are people putting petrol into diesel vehicles.

I propose a system that will be fitted to diesel vehicles that would detect incorrect fuel or poor quality fuel and stop it from being supplied to the injection pump.

Please leave a comment as any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[livia]

Hi Tommytroubles!

It would be maybe enough to have different shapes, one each kind of fuel, for the final part of the pipe. So far, the round section for diesel is larger than the petrol’s one, therefore it’s impossible to put diesel in a petrol tank, whilst it is possible the opposite.
For quality reasons, all Italian stations for diesel have a security device that checks water inside the diesel and stop the pipe. Referring to quality of the fuel.. it depends only on petrol companies professionalism…


ciao, Livia

[stewart]

Hello Tommytroubles

I agree with Livia that stopping the problem at the pump would be the easiest. For your project maybe equip the fuel filling valve with a sensor or scanner and then have a bar code or transponder on the car. If the two do not match... the fuel will not pump. Just a thought...