How does the AIRBUS FUEL SYSTEM work? Explained by CAPTAIN JOE

Summary

In this Airbus A320 simulator video, Captain Joe offers a detailed overview of the aircraft's fuel system. The system includes fuel tanks that distribute fuel during refueling, supply to engines and APU, and support wing bending and flutter relief. The ECam display provides real-time fuel data, while the crossfeed valve ensures fuel balance in case of engine failure. The video also covers the six fuel pumps, suction valves for redundancy, and the fuel-to-oil heat exchanger that prevents fuel from freezing.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The video is from the TFC flight training center in Essen, Germany, and is part of a series on the Airbus A320.
• 🛫 The script provides a basic explanation of the Airbus A320's fuel system, including its components and functions.
• 💺 The fuel system is responsible for refueling, supplying fuel to the engines and APU, cooling oil, and providing information on the ECAM.
• 🔧 The cockpit contains fuel-related switches and displays, including the ECAM fuel panel, which is accessible by pressing the fuel button.
• ⚠️ The ECAM automatically displays the fuel page in case of system failures or warnings, ensuring pilots are informed.
• ⛽️ The refueling panel is located on the lower part of the fuselage, with the refueling coupling in the midsection on either side of the wings.
• 📊 The A320 has three fuel tanks: left and right wing tanks, and a center tank, with the wing tanks divided into inner and outer sections.
• 🔢 The total usable fuel capacity of the Airbus A320 is 23,858 liters or 6,302 US gallons.
• 📉 The ECAM fuel display shows the fuel on board (FOB), current fuel quantity in each tank, fuel temperature, and fuel pump operations.
• 🔄 The fuel system prioritizes using the center tanks first, then the inner tanks, with a transfer valve opening at 750 kg to allow outer tank fuel to flow into the inner tank.
• 🔄 The crossfeed valve allows fuel transfer from the heavier side to the lighter side in case of an engine failure or fuel imbalance.
• 🚫 There are no suction valves in the center tank, meaning if both pumps fail, the remaining fuel is not available for use.
• 🌡️ Fuel temperature is limited between -43°C and +45°C, with a fuel-to-oil heat exchanger installed to prevent fuel from freezing during flight.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the Airbus A320 fuel system?

The Airbus A320 fuel system manages the distribution of fuel during refueling, supplies fuel to the engines and APU, cools the oil for the integrated drive generator lubrication system, maintains fuel in the outer wing for wing bending and flutter relief, and provides information on the ECAM and cockpit indication.

Where are the fuel switches and displays located in the cockpit?

The fuel switches are located on the overhead panel, and the ECAM display shows the fuel panel after pressing the fuel button on the ECAM control panel.

What does the ECAM automatically display in case of a system failure or warning related to the fuel system?

In case of a system failure or warning, the ECAM will automatically display the fuel page.

Where is the refueling panel located on the Airbus A320?

The refueling panel is located on the lower part of the fuselage, below the right-hand wing.

How many tanks does the Airbus A320 have for fuel storage, and what are they?

The Airbus A320 has three fuel tanks: the left and right wing tanks, and the center tank. The wing tanks are further divided into an inner tank and an outer tank.

What is the total usable fuel capacity of the Airbus A320 model?

The total usable fuel capacity of the Airbus A320 model is 23,858 liters or 6,302 US gallons.

What is the purpose of the barrier between the outer and inner wing tanks?

The barrier ensures that the fuel system primarily uses the center tanks first, then the inner tanks, and only allows the outer wing tank fuel to flow into the inner tank by gravity once the inner tanks reach a fuel level of 750 kilograms, to reduce wing bending and control wing flutter during flight.

What is the role of the crossfeed valve in the fuel system?

The crossfeed valve allows fuel to be transferred from the heavier side to the lighter side in case of an abnormality like an engine failure, to prevent a fuel imbalance from causing further problems.

How many fuel pumps are there in the Airbus A320, and where are they located?

There are six identical fuel pumps in total: two in each wing tank and two in the center tank.

How do the wing tank pumps operate, and when are they manually switched off?

The wing tank pumps operate continuously, providing necessary pressure to the fuel line feeding the engines, and are manually switched off after the engines are shut down and reach the parking position.

What is the purpose of the fuel-to-oil heat exchanger in the Airbus A320?

The fuel-to-oil heat exchanger is installed to prevent the jet A-1 fuel from freezing during cruise by using the cold fuel to cool the hot oil of the integrated drive generator, and the oil warms up the fuel.

What are the temperature limitations for jet A-1 fuel in the Airbus A320?

The minimum temperature for jet A-1 fuel is -43 °C, and the maximum is +45 °C.