Development of a Neutron-Based Method for Onsite Fuel Inspection

Up to 20% of ethanol, base oil, or gas condensates are sometimes illegally added with the purpose to produce a cheaper fuel at the expense of its quality. Fuels are more expensive compared with the additives mentioned above due to the excise taxes and duties levied. Common customs procedures include random fuel sampling, where the tanks of trucks are opened at border crossings to verify that the cargo complies with customs declarations. Although some rapid onsite testing is available, very often more detailed laboratory analysis of fuel samples is required, the results of which may not be available for several days. We have investigated the possibility of using a neutron-based system to determine the elemental composition and density of gasoline, diesel, and various fuel blends, such as gasoline/ethanol, diesel/base oil, and diesel/gas condensate. It has been shown that using the associate particle imaging (API) method, it is possible to analyze elemental composition and density of different fuel types and various kinds of fuel blends onsite, without opening fuel tanks and slowing down border traffic. These analyses can be performed in addition to the already well-developed API method for onsite cargo inspection of illicit materials, such as narcotics and explosives.