Car Fuel Quality Monitoring

A feasability study has already shown that measurement of the dielectric constant of fuel in the microwave spectral range enables detection of water, gasoline and ethanol. A team of 3 students, sponsored by the Ford-Poling (*) Fund, design and develop a low cost sensor- and electronic system that can determine the amount of ethanol, gasoline and water on line in the fuel line or tank of a car. (*) The Ford-Poling Competitive Edge Challenge is an initiative of Ford Motor Company that seeks to leverage Ford's network of key university partners to support corporate goals and objectives.

Assignment

Investigation if the ratio of gasoline, ethanol and water can be determined by measuring the real and complex part of the electrical impedance of practical mixtures at different frequencies. Design and performance test of a (low cost) sensor probe for impedance measurement in liquids, e.g. open ended coaxial probes or transmission-lines etc. Analyzing the measurement of other parameters of the mixture for obtaining unambiguous composition measurement results Working closely together with 2 other students on the design and development the sensor and electronics and final testing of the complete system.

Contact

dr.ir. Ger de Graaf

Bioelectronics Group

Department of Microelectronics

Last modified: 2018-12-17