Ejector-driven fuel stabilization system

A fuel deoxygenation system comprising:

• a fuel stabilization unit comprising:
• a fuel flow path comprising:
• a fuel inlet;
• and
• a fuel outlet;
• a vacuum chamber;
• and
• an oxygen permeable membrane separating the fuel flow path and the vacuum chamber;
• a vacuum source for reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to generate an oxygen partial pressure differential across the oxygen permeable membrane, wherein the vacuum source consists of an ejector having an area ratio between about 0.05 and about 0.2 and a high pressure fluid source;
• a valve positioned between the oxygen permeable membrane and the ejector and configured to regulate the oxygen partial pressure differential across the oxygen permeable membrane;
• a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature of fuel in the fuel stabilization unit;
• a pressure sensor for monitoring the oxygen partial pressure differential;
• and
• a control system for operating the valve based on inputs received from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.

A method for deoxygenating a fuel, the method comprising:

• delivering a high pressure fluid to an ejector;
• generating an oxygen partial pressure differential across an oxygen permeable membrane in contact with the fuel using the ejector and without a secondary vacuum source;
• operating a valve positioned between the oxygen permeable membrane and the ejector based on inputs received from a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature of the fuel and a pressure sensor for monitoring the oxygen partial pressure differential, the valve configured to regulate the oxygen partial pressure differential across the oxygen permeable membrane;
• and
• removing oxygen from the fuel using the oxygen partial pressure differential.