Development of an Optical Fuel Composition Sensor

Two types of the Fuel Composition Sensor (FCS) are under development for the following purposes;

1. (1)
   Detection of methanol concentration in methanol blended gasoline fuel for FFV.
2. (2)
   Detection of gasoline quality, heavy or light, for vehicles using ordinary gasoline at the fuel.

Measurement of refractive index or dielectric constant is effective for the purpose of above (1), and measurement of refractive index is effective for the purpose of above (2).

Of the sensors of these two types, the FCS of new optical type which has been developed earlier is descrived in this report.

The FCS is designed compact, has a high response, and gives liner voltage output within any desired range of refractive index. As the primary advantages, the FCS is resistive to deposits on optical parts and is highly durable as a result of applying refractive method and photo-position detection system.