Method and apparatus for determining differential density

Abstract

A method for operating an engine system 200 comprising an engine 208 configured to consume a fuel, having at least a two flowmeters 214, 216, is provided. The method includes the step of operating an engine 208 disposed between a supply flowmeter 214 of the at least two flowmeters and a return flowmeter 216 of the at least two flowmeters. A first fuel density in the supply flowmeter 214 and a second fuel density in the return flowmeter 216 are measured. The fuel density measurements 317 between the supply flowmeter 214 and return flowmeter 216 are compared and a differential density measurement value, Δρ 319, based on a difference in the second fuel density and the first fuel density is determined. The Δρ 319 is compared to a range of theoretical differential fuel density values, Δρt, and potential fuel contamination is indicated if the Δρ lies outside a range of Δρt values by a predetermined threshold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.