Energy Institute High School InvenTeam

Device to prevent biodiesel from gelling at low temperatures
Transportation

Houston, Texas
2017-2018

The Energy Institute High School InvenTeam invented a device to disrupt the formation of gel in B100 (100% biodiesel fuel) during cold weather conditions. B100 gels completely at 0˚ C making it unable to be used in freezing or near-freezing conditions. The invention diverts coolant, heated from the engine, towards the fuel tank in order to warm fuel. This system includes two 12 V devices – a control valve and a pump powered by the automobile’s electrical system. These devices use energy only when the main fuel pump draws more than 3 amps of current, which corresponds to a lab-tested threshold dynamic viscosity of approximately 2.8 mPa • s. The invention also incorporates a small rotary device located near the intake tube inside the fuel tank to agitate gelled fuel. This rotary device utilizes a 7-12 V motor that also operates only when fuel viscosity is at or above the stated threshold.