Aviation fuel contamination is an event that one should never take lightly. Simple fuel contaminants such as particulate matter, microorganisms, and water, can have devastating effects on an aircraft's airworthiness and often result in engine failure. If an engine were to fail mid-air, it would have catastrophic consequences for those on board.
Jet fuel contamination causes engine failure by damaging fuel system components and blocking fuel supply to the engine. Once the fuel supply is cut off, fuel starvation occurs, which then leads to engine failure. Fuel starvation can also cause forced landing and Control Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents.
For this reason, you must know the causes of fuel contamination and ways to prevent it. We have previously discussed the three main common causes of fuel contamination. Today we will focus on how you can prevent jet fuel from the risk of contamination.
Cover Open Fuel Lines
Jet fuel contamination has led to many unfortunate incidents in the past. However, with proper procedures in place, you can help prevent contaminated fuel from damaging your aircraft.
One of the most important ways to prevent fuel contamination is by capping and covering the fuel lines during maintenance operations. Capped and protected lines during maintenance can prevent particulates and moisture from entering the system.
Whenever the fuel cell is opened, there is a big risk of potential debris entering into the system and getting mixed with the fuel. Therefore, simply capping the lines is a good measure. Moreover, before closing the fuel cell access panel, make sure there are no foreign objects present.
Conduct Fuel Sampling
Fuel sampling is a simple and efficient way to assess the quality of the fuel. Regular fuel sampling will help you identify the presence of particulate contaminants in the system. It will also help reduce microbial growth and water-associated freezing of the fuel.
Fuel Sampling Process
The process of fuel sampling is quite simple. You can drain the fuel into a clear container filling it halfway to two-thirds full. Then hold it up to the light to view the contaminants or water. You can also swirl the sample around to create a vortex. The tornado-shaped vortex will help you spot the water and contaminants by isolating them and accumulating them at the bottom of the vortex.
Some important points to keep in mind while conducting fuel sampling:
- Sampling fuel from the low point drains will help remove accumulated water from the system. This is because water has higher specific gravity than jet fuel and therefore always settles at the tank's bottom.
- Always take fuel samples before your first flight of the day.
- Avoid taking fuel samples right after the aircraft is fueled. This is because the fueling process causes water and particulates to suspend in the fuel temporarily.
- Keep on drawing fuel samples from the tank until you have a clear, clean sample.
You can detect particulates and water in the sample by performing a visual inspection and various chemical analyses. Tests such as immunoassays, CTU, and ATP can help detect microbial contamination in the system.
Top Off Your Aircraft's Fuel Tank
This is another simple technique to prevent aircraft fuel contamination. The fuel used in the aircraft's fuel system tends to absorb moisture from the air. However, if you top off your tank at the end of each flying day, there will be little air left in the tank. With less air in the system, the rate of moisture absorption will decrease significantly.
Regular Inspection And Maintenance Is Key
Jet fuel contamination can cause corrosion in the fuel system components. Over time, these corroding particles can mix with the fuel and cause all sorts of mayhem in the system. However, if professional aircraft welding technicians regularly inspect and maintain your aircraft, they will detect these minor problems early on and solve them before they get worse.
Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that total elimination of fuel contamination might not be possible. But regular maintenance and inspection can control the contamination and prevent it from causing major damages to the aircraft.
At Acorn Welding, our well-trained and highly experienced aviation welders will ensure that your aircrafts fuel system is proficiently inspected and made free from all sorts of contaminants. For any further details, kindly visit our website www.acornwelding.com or contact us here today.
