UWB based oil quality detection

In this paper we discuss an approach for fuel quality detection using Ultra-wideband (UWB) radar. The experimental setup consists of an ultrashort monocycle pulse transmitter (30 ps), an UWB sampling receiver and UWB antennae (3.1–10.6 GHz). One dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) model was used to model the electromagnetic wave propagation and assess the feasibility of oil quality detection using UWB RADAR. Performance of the UWB RADAR was analyzed through detailed experiments. The adulteration of gasoline and high speed diesel with kerosene was increased from 1% to 12% in steps. Using time of flight analysis the variation in adulteration of gasoline was detected from 1%. Adulteration in high speed diesel was detected using frequency domain analysis. Further, the level of water in the oil storage tank below the diesel or gasoline level can be accurately estimated. Detailed experiments with multiple batches of gasoline and high speed diesel were conducted. We also demonstrate that the adulteration can be detected across different batches of fuel.