Method for dewatering an operating substance, dewatering device and operating-substance supply device

Abstract

A method for dewatering an operating substance, more particularly a fuel, preferably during the operation of a vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, includes conveying an operating substance from an operating substance tank. Water present on or in the fuel is first collected in a water container, and water is conveyed, in chronological order, from the water container back to the operating substance tank, then to an exhaust system and/or from the operating substance tank to the exhaust gas system. A dewatering device for an operating substance, more particularly a fuel for a vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, includes a water container, in which water present on or in the fuel is collected. The dewatering device has a dewatering conduit or line which runs from the water container to an operating-substance tank of the vehicle and/or to an exhaust-gas system of the vehicle.

1 - 15  (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for dewatering a fuel during operation of a rail vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
 conveying fuel as an operating substance out of an operating substance tank;   separating water present in the operating substance into a water container;   conveying the water back into the operating substance tank if the water container is substantially filled; and   conveying the water out of the water container into an exhaust gas system if an exhaust gas volumetric flow is at least sufficient and if the water container is substantially filled, evaporating the water conveyed into the exhaust gas system in a hot exhaust gas flow and discharging the hot exhaust gas flow into a local surrounding area.   
     
     
         17 . The dewatering method according to  claim 16 , which further comprises:
 using a water conveying device located substantially at a bottom of the water container to convey the water into the operating substance tank; and   using the water conveying device to convey the water into the exhaust gas system.   
     
     
         18 . The dewatering method according to  claim 16 , which further comprises at least one of:
 discharging the water out of at least one of the operating substance tank or the water container; or   conveying the operating substance out of the operating substance tank substantially at a height of a level of the operating substance in the operating substance tank.   
     
     
         19 . The dewatering method according to  claim 16 , which further comprises temporally discharging water present in an operating substance supply device of an engine before filling or starting up the engine. 
     
     
         20 . The dewatering method according to  claim 16 , which further comprises:
 conveying the operating substance toward an internal combustion engine;   using a water conveying device configured as a dewatering pump to convey the water out of the water container; and   operating the water conveying device in a manner controlled by a sensor signal, in an adjustable time-controlled manner or permanently.   
     
     
         21 . A dewatering device for dewatering a fuel during operation of a rail vehicle, the dewatering device comprising:
 an operating substance tank for receiving fuel as an operating substance to be conveyed out of said operating substance tank;   a water container for separating water present in the operating substance;   an exhaust gas system for evaporating water conveyed into said exhaust gas system in a hot exhaust gas flow and discharging the hot exhaust gas flow into a local surrounding area;   a dewatering line leading from said water container to said operating substance tank and to said exhaust gas system;   said dewatering line conveying the water back into said operating substance tank if said water container is substantially filled; and   said dewatering line conveying the water out of said water container into said exhaust gas system if an exhaust gas volumetric flow is at least sufficient and if said water container is substantially filled.   
     
     
         22 . The dewatering device according to  claim 21 , which further comprises a water conveying device, said dewatering line including a feed line leading to said water conveying device, a return line leading from said water conveying device to said operating substance tank and a forward feed line leading from said water conveying device to said exhaust gas system. 
     
     
         23 . The dewatering device according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of said water container, said operating substance tank, said dewatering line or said water conveying device has a water removal point. 
     
     
         24 . The dewatering device according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 the operating substance is discharged from said operating substance tank;   said water container is part of an operating substance filter; and   at least one of said feed line, said return line or said forward feed line has an actuating device.   
     
     
         25 . The dewatering device according to  claim 21 , which further comprises:
 an operating substance intake float configured to float on the operating substance in said operating substance tank; and   an operating substance hose disposed in said operating substance tank;   said operating substance intake float and said operating substance hose being configured to convey the operating substance out of said operating substance tank.