Field Instrumentation to measure, quantify, and characterize fuel contaminants

The objective of the work detailed in this proposal is to demonstrate feasibility of using a portable, dynamic imaging device to detect solids and water contamination in military grade fuels near points of transfer from storage to vehicle. The consequences of contaminated fuel are well known and include clogging of filters, freezing of fuel lines, growth of microbials within the fuel system and the loss of vehicle performance capability. Visual capability allows the instrument to not only measure size and count of particles, but also enables them to be classified according to their shape which allows for the determination of water and gas droplets separate from solids in a fluid stream. The ability of a single instrument to detect and classify the existence of both within fuel streams as they flow can protect poor quality fuel from being transferred into vehicles. This proposal seeks to test the feasibility of the instrument in the field between the pump and fill nozzle. It also will present concepts to miniaturize the instrument to a portable size and weight and to provide a quick connect logic to allow fast hook up and detachment from the fuel line preferably without the use of tools.