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WO2007146216A1 - Réservoir de combustible sulfoné - Google Patents

Réservoir de combustible sulfoné Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007146216A1
WO2007146216A1 PCT/US2007/013662 US2007013662W WO2007146216A1 WO 2007146216 A1 WO2007146216 A1 WO 2007146216A1 US 2007013662 W US2007013662 W US 2007013662W WO 2007146216 A1 WO2007146216 A1 WO 2007146216A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
layer
fuel tank
density polyethylene
evoh
defines
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/013662
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Scott Sholler
Karim Amellal
Ryan Beebe
Original Assignee
Vitec, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vitec, Llc filed Critical Vitec, Llc
Publication of WO2007146216A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007146216A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03177—Fuel tanks made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
    • C08J7/00—Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
    • C08J7/12—Chemical modification
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
    • B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
    • B60K2015/03032—Manufacturing of fuel tanks
    • B60K2015/03046—Manufacturing of fuel tanks made from more than one layer

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to fuel tanks and to sulfonated fuel tanks.
  • vehicles may include a fuel tank that stores fuel. It is known in the art that fuel tanks may comprise plastic. Plastic fuel tanks, however, may have several drawbacks. One drawback may include, for example, the emission of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to reduce or eliminate the emission of hydrocarbons from a plastic fuel tank that stores fuel.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuel tank in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fuel tank according to line 2-2 of
  • Figure 3 is another partial cross-sectional view of the fuel tank in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 4A-4C each illustrate a method for sulfonating a fuel tank in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional electron microscope atomic scan image of the fuel tank according to Figure 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is an enlarged view of Figure 3 according to line 6.
  • FIG. 10 The Figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a sulfonated fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • a fuel tank is shown generally at 10 according to an embodiment.
  • the fuel tank 10 comprises plastic.
  • the fuel tank 10 may include any desirable plastic material, such as, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE).
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • the fuel tank 10 may be defined to include a multi-layer structure 12 that defines a fuel tank volume or cavity, C, relative to atmosphere, A.
  • the multi-layer structure 12 is defined to include an inner layer 14, an outer layer 16, and, if desired, any amount of intermediate layers 18a-18d.
  • the inner layer 14 may comprise virgin HDPE.
  • the virgin HDPE inner layer 14 may define approximately 40% (+/- 10%) of the overall thickness of the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the outer layer 16 may comprise virgin HDPE. If desired, the outer layer 16 may also include a dye / colorant to provide any desirable pigmentation. If desired, the outer layer 16 may also include an additive for ultraviolet protection. According to an embodiment and without limitation, an exemplar dye / colorant with ultraviolet protection is commercially available and sold under the trade- name POLYBLACK®. According to an embodiment, the virgin HDPE outer layer 16 may define approximately 16% (+/- 10%) of the overall thickness of the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the intermediate layer 18a may comprise recycled material.
  • the recycled material of the intermediate layer 18a may be recovered from a grinder. Accordingly, the recycled material recovered from a grinder that comprises the intermediate layers 18a maybe referred to hereinafter as regrind layer 18a. If desired, the regrind layer 18a may be melted and extruded, injected, or otherwise formed with the inner and outer layers 14, 16.
  • the regrind layer 18a may include recycled HDPE.
  • the regrind layer 18a may include a plurality or mixture of recycled materials.
  • the regrind layer 18a may include one or more of the materials identified in the multilayer structure 12 as discussed in this disclosure.
  • the intermediate regrind layer 18a may define approximately 38% (+/- 10%) of the overall thickness of the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the intermediate layers 18b and 18d may comprise an adhesive.
  • the intermediate adhesive layers 18b, 18d may include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).
  • LLDPE adhesive layers 18b, 18d may be co-extruded between approximately 200 0 C and 230 0 C through, for example, a spiral die.
  • the LLDPE adhesive layers 18b, 18d thermally bond the HDPE inner layer 14, regrind layer 18a, and intermediate layer 18c.
  • an exemplar LLDPE adhesive layer 18b, 18d is sold under the trade-name ADMER®.
  • the intermediate adhesive layers 18b, 18d may each define approximately 3% (+/- 2%) of the overall thickness of the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the intermediate layer 18c which is shown disposed between the adhesive layers 18b, 18d, may comprise a barrier layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH).
  • EVOH barrier layer 18c limits fuel emissions and functions as an internal hydrocarbon barrier layer.
  • the intermediate EVOH barrier layer 18c may define approximately 3% (+/- 2%) of the overall thickness of the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the illustrated embodiment shown at Figure 2 includes the regrind layer 18a, intermediate EVOH layer 18c and adhesive layers 18b, 18d, it will be appreciated that the fuel tank 10 is not limited or required to include the layers 18a-18d and that the fuel tank 10 may include the inner and outer layers 14, 16.
  • a surface 20 of the inner layer 14 generally defines an inner surface / geometry (i.e. the cavity, C) of the fuel tank 10 for storing a fluid, F, such as, for example, fuel (e.g. gasoline).
  • a surface 22 of the outer layer 16 generally defines the outer surface / geometry of the fuel tank 10 that is exposed to atmosphere, A.
  • the one or more layers 14-18d of the multi-layer structure 12 may be defined to include several pinched portions 24, which may be referred to in the art as "pinch areas.” Pinch portions 24 may be found about the surfaces 20, 22 as a result of a forming/molding operation or the like.
  • the cross-section of a pinched portion 24 may be defined by an irregularity in the contour or thickness of the fuel tank 10 as compared to a portion of the multi-layer structure 12 that does not include a pinched portion 24 (i.e., as shown in Figure 2).
  • the cross-section of the fuel tank 10, as defined by pinched portions 24, may also further define a reduced thickness or absence of any one of the intermediate layers 18a-18d, such as, for example, the EVOH barrier layer 18c (see, e.g., Figure 6).
  • the fuel tank 10 may also include one or more components 26.
  • the one or more components 26 may be formed integrally with the multilayer structure 12, or, alternatively, be connected to the fuel tank 10 by way of any desirable fastening methodology, such as, for example, welding. If formed integrally or connected to the fuel tank 10, the one or more components 26 may be defined by a multilayer structure substantially similar to the multi-layer structure 12 of the fuel tank 10. Functionally, the one or more components 26 may include, for example, a connector, nozzle, or the like that provides fluid communication with, for example, a valve, pump, or the like (not shown).
  • one or more of the layers 14-18d of the multilayer structure 12, which may include, for example, the one or more components 26, may be defined to include a fuel permeation barrier (see, e.g., Figure 5) that prevents the fluid, F, in the cavity, C, as well as vapors (e.g. hydrocarbon vapors, H) associated with the fluid, F, in the cavity, C, from escaping from the fuel tank 10 and into atmosphere, A.
  • the fuel permeation barrier improves the fluid barrier properties of the fuel tank 10.
  • the fuel permeation barrier is provided by sulfonating the fuel tank 10 with a gas, G.
  • the gas, G may include sulfur trioxide (SO3).
  • a portion, some, or all of the layers 14-18d of the multi-layer structure 12 of the fuel tank 10 is sulfonated by exposing at least a portion of the fuel tank 10 to the SO3 gas, G.
  • the multi-layer structure 12 may be sulfonated for approximately 90-minutes to achieve a desired permeation of the gas, G, into the multi-layer structure 12.
  • the fuel tank 10 may be placed in an enclosed chamber 100 that is in fluid communication with a supply 104 of SO 3 gas, G, by way of a conduit 102. Prior to being placed in the chamber 100, the fuel tank 10 may be sealed such that SO 3 gas, G, may not enter the cavity, C. Thus, according to an embodiment, the surface 22 of HDPE outer layer 16 of the fuel tank 10 may be sulfonated with the SO 3 gas, G, while the fuel tank 10 is placed in the chamber 100.
  • the cavity, C, of the fuel tank 10 may be in fluid communication with the supply 104 of SO 3 gas, G, by way of the conduit 102.
  • the cavity, C may be sealed such that the exposure of the SO 3 gas, G, to the fuel tank 10 is limited to the surface 20 of HDPE inner layer 14.
  • the fuel tank 10 may be placed in the chamber 100 such that SO 3 gas, G, is provided from the supply 104 for exposure to both of the surfaces 20, 22 of the fuel tank 10 as shown and described in Figures 4A and 4B. Accordingly, both the inner and outer HDPE layers 14, 16 may be sulfonated with the SO3 gas, G.
  • the fuel tank 10 is shown having both of its surfaces 20, 22 being sulfonated simultaneously, it will be appreciated that the surfaces 20, 22 may be sulfonated individually as shown and described in Figures 4A and 4B.
  • the HDPE inner layer 14 is illustrated as a layer of the multi-layer structure 12 that is sulfonated with the SO 3 gas, G (i.e., as shown in Figure 4B).
  • the scanned image of Figure 5 is not limited to the HDPE inner layer 14, and, as such, it will be appreciated that other layers, such as, for example, the HDPE outer layer 16 may be sulfonated with the SO 3 gas, G (i.e., as shown in Figure 4A), and define a substantially similar image as that shown in Figure 5 as related to the HDPE inner layer 14.
  • the SO 3 gas, G may be quantified by seeping into the HDPE inner and/or outer layer(s) 14, 16 through the surface(s) 20, 22 to a depth, D.
  • the depth, D generally defines the fuel permeation barrier that prevents, for example, hydrocarbons, H, associated with fuel, F, stored in the cavity, C, from escaping into atmosphere, A.
  • the depth, D may range between approximately, for example, 25-50 microns.
  • the SO3 gas, G is described to permeate the inner and outer layers 14, 16, at a depth, D, it will be appreciated that the thickness of the layers 14-18d maybe increased or decreased to limit or otherwise promote the permeation of the SO 3 gas, G, to one of, some, or all of the layers 14-18d of the fuel tank 10.
  • the EVOH barrier layer 18c may also function in a substantially similar manner as the sulfonated HDPE inner and/or outer layer(s) 14, 16 by preventing hydrocarbons, H, stored in the cavity, C, from escaping into atmosphere, A.
  • hydrocarbons, H stored in the cavity, C
  • one or more of the EVOH barrier layer 18c and sulfonated outer later 16 may serve to supplement the hydrocarbon-blocking properties of the inner layer 14.
  • a pinched zone 25 may define a reduced thickness, or, alternatively, an absence of the thickness of the EVOH barrier layer 18c.
  • the pinched zone 25 includes a reduced thickness / absence of the EVOH barrier layer 18c, and, if for example, the HDPE inner layer 14 is not sulfonated as described in Figure 2, hydrocarbons, H 5 that may otherwise escape toward atmosphere, A, through the HDPE inner layer 14 and pinched zone 25 may be otherwise prevented from escaping into atmosphere, A, by the outer layer 16, as shown in Figure 3.
  • the sulfonating of the outer layer 16 may serve to supplement the hydrocarbon-blocking properties of one or more of the inner layer 14 and/or the barrier layer 18c.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un mécanisme de rétention de fluide. Le mécanisme comprend un réservoir de combustible (10) comportant une structure à couches multiples (12) composée d'une couche interne (14) ayant une première surface (20) définissant une cavité (C) du réservoir de combustible (10), ainsi que d'une couche externe (16) ayant une deuxième surface (22) définissant le contour du réservoir de combustible (10). Une barrière de perméation du combustible est définie sur la première et/ou la deuxième surface (20, 22). La surface à traiter est exposée à du So3. Le gaz s'infiltre dans la première et/ou la deuxième surface (20, 22), définissant ainsi la barrière de perméation du combustible de profondeur (D). L'invention concerne aussi une méthode.
PCT/US2007/013662 2006-06-13 2007-06-11 Réservoir de combustible sulfoné WO2007146216A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US81331906P 2006-06-13 2006-06-13
US60/813,319 2006-06-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007146216A1 true WO2007146216A1 (fr) 2007-12-21

Family

ID=38616290

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/013662 WO2007146216A1 (fr) 2006-06-13 2007-06-11 Réservoir de combustible sulfoné

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007146216A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102108921A (zh) * 2009-12-24 2011-06-29 本田技研工业株式会社 树脂制燃料箱
US8318277B2 (en) 2009-12-24 2012-11-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Plastic fuel tank
CN104260635A (zh) * 2014-10-11 2015-01-07 亚普汽车部件股份有限公司 一种三维多壁塑料中空箱体

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3740258A (en) * 1968-01-10 1973-06-19 Dow Chemical Co Resinous enclosure members rendered impermeable by sulfonation
EP0732363A1 (fr) * 1995-03-14 1996-09-18 SOLVAY (Société Anonyme) Procédé pour la fabrication d'un corps creux
EP1285746A1 (fr) * 2001-08-14 2003-02-26 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Pansement permettant la réduction d'émissions pour des récipients plastiques multicouches
US20040071904A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-15 Short William Thomas Thermoformable sheet and fuel tank incorporating same
BE1015547A3 (fr) * 2003-06-02 2005-06-07 Inergy Automotive Systems Res Reservoir a carburant en matiere plastique multicouche et procede pour fabriquer un tel reservoir.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3740258A (en) * 1968-01-10 1973-06-19 Dow Chemical Co Resinous enclosure members rendered impermeable by sulfonation
EP0732363A1 (fr) * 1995-03-14 1996-09-18 SOLVAY (Société Anonyme) Procédé pour la fabrication d'un corps creux
EP1285746A1 (fr) * 2001-08-14 2003-02-26 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Pansement permettant la réduction d'émissions pour des récipients plastiques multicouches
US20040071904A1 (en) * 2002-10-09 2004-04-15 Short William Thomas Thermoformable sheet and fuel tank incorporating same
BE1015547A3 (fr) * 2003-06-02 2005-06-07 Inergy Automotive Systems Res Reservoir a carburant en matiere plastique multicouche et procede pour fabriquer un tel reservoir.

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102108921A (zh) * 2009-12-24 2011-06-29 本田技研工业株式会社 树脂制燃料箱
EP2340955A1 (fr) * 2009-12-24 2011-07-06 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Réservoir de carburant en plastique
US8318277B2 (en) 2009-12-24 2012-11-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Plastic fuel tank
US8765242B2 (en) 2009-12-24 2014-07-01 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Plastic fuel tank
CN104260635A (zh) * 2014-10-11 2015-01-07 亚普汽车部件股份有限公司 一种三维多壁塑料中空箱体

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