Texas Patent of the Month – July 2024

Texon LP has secured a patent for their innovative approach to blending off distillate transmix into gasoline marks a significant advancement in fuel processing technology. This system addresses a critical issue in the petroleum industry: the management and utilization of transmix, which is generated when different fuel products mix during pipeline transport, creating off-specification blends. Traditionally, transmix is unusable without further processing, impacting efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The invention introduces a sophisticated approach to blend transmix, enriched with distillates like diesel or aviation fuel, back into certified gasoline streams. The key challenge lies in maintaining compliance with stringent physical property limits required by industry standards. This is achieved through a meticulously engineered system:

The core components include:

• A gasoline stream with defined flow rates and properties.
• A transmix stream containing distillate, integrated with the gasoline stream.
• An Intelligent Processing Unit (IPU) storing physical property limits and calculating the permissible blending ratio.
• A sampling and analysis setup that continuously monitors the blended stream’s properties.
• A flow regulator linked to the IPU, adjusting transmix flow to ensure compliance.

This system ensures that transmix, despite its variability in distillate content, can be safely and efficiently reintroduced into gasoline production without compromising fuel quality or engine performance. By leveraging real-time data analysis and precise flow control, Texon’s invention optimizes the blending process, minimizing waste and maximizing the usable yield from transmix.

Texon’s system represents a groundbreaking development in fuel blending technology, demonstrating how innovation can address complex industry challenges while advancing sustainability goals. This invention not only enhances operational efficiency but also sets a new standard for integrating distillate-containing transmix back into commercial gasoline streams, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements and maintaining engine performance standards.

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