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.

Outlines

00:00

🛩 Introduction to Airbus A320 Fuel System

This segment of the video script provides an overview of the Airbus A320's fuel system, highlighting its various functions such as fuel distribution during refueling, supplying fuel to engines and the auxiliary power unit (APU), cooling the oil for the integrated drive generator lubrication system, and managing fuel for wing bending and flutter relief. The script also describes the cockpit's fuel-related switches and the ECAM display, which shows fuel information and automatically displays the fuel page in case of system failures or warnings. Additionally, it details the external refueling panel and coupling locations, the division of fuel tanks into left, right, and center with further subdivisions into inner and outer tanks, and the total usable fuel capacity. The ECAM fuel display is explained, including the fuel on board (FOB), wing tank fuel quantities and temperatures, fuel pumps, crossfeed valve, and fuel lines. The script also explains the fuel system's strategy for reducing wing bending and controlling flutter by prioritizing the use of center and inner tanks before the outer tanks, and the role of the crossfeed valve in balancing fuel in case of engine failure.

05:04

✈️ Conclusion of the Airbus A320 Fuel System Video

In the concluding part of the video script, the narrator, Captain Joe, wraps up the basic introduction to the Airbus A320's fuel system. He expresses gratitude to TFC for providing access to the flight simulator used for the video. The segment also mentions the fuel-to-oil heat exchanger, a crucial component that prevents fuel from freezing by using the heat from the integrated drive generator's oil to warm the fuel. The video ends with a sign-off and a promise to continue the series next week, leaving viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the fuel system's operation and its importance in flight safety and performance.

Keywords

💡Airbus A320

The Airbus A320 is a short-to-medium range, narrow-body, commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus. It is a key model in the Airbus family and is widely used in the aviation industry for its efficiency and reliability. In the video, the Airbus A320 is the central focus, as the presenter discusses its fuel system in detail, showcasing its features and functions.

💡Fuel System

The fuel system of an aircraft is a critical component that manages the storage, distribution, and use of fuel. It includes fuel tanks, pumps, valves, and associated controls. In the context of the video, the fuel system of the Airbus A320 is explained, highlighting its role in refueling, supplying fuel to engines and the auxiliary power unit (APU), and its impact on aircraft performance.

💡TFC Flight Training Center

The TFC Flight Training Center is a facility where pilots can receive training on flight simulators, such as the Airbus A320. In the script, the presenter mentions being at the TFC Flight Training Center in Essen, Germany, which provides the setting for the video and the simulator used for the presentation.

💡ECAM

ECAM stands for Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor, which is a system in Airbus aircraft that displays essential information about the aircraft's systems on screens in the cockpit. The script explains how the ECAM shows the fuel panel and provides information about the fuel system, including fuel quantities, temperatures, and system warnings.

💡Fuel Tanks

Fuel tanks are the storage compartments for fuel in an aircraft. The Airbus A320 has three main fuel tanks: left and right wing tanks, and a center tank. The script describes how these tanks are used and their division into inner and outer sections, emphasizing their role in the aircraft's fuel management.

💡Fuel Pumps

Fuel pumps are devices that move fuel from the tanks to the engines. The Airbus A320 has six identical fuel pumps, with two in each wing tank and two in the center tank. The script explains how these pumps operate and their importance in maintaining the necessary fuel pressure for the engines.

💡Crossfeed Valve

The crossfeed valve allows fuel to be transferred between the left and right wing tanks of an aircraft. In the script, it is mentioned that the valve can be opened to balance fuel between the tanks in case of an engine failure or other abnormalities, ensuring that the aircraft maintains a balanced fuel load.

💡Wing Bending and Flutter Relief

Wing bending and flutter are aerodynamic phenomena that can affect an aircraft's wings. In the video, it is explained that the fuel system in the Airbus A320 is designed to help manage these effects by using the center and inner tanks first, before allowing fuel from the outer tanks to flow into the inner tanks, thus reducing wing bending and controlling flutter.

💡Fuel-to-Oil Heat Exchanger

A fuel-to-oil heat exchanger is a component that transfers heat between the fuel and the oil in the aircraft's systems. The script describes how the Airbus A320 uses this heat exchanger to prevent the fuel from freezing at high altitudes by using the heat from the oil to warm the fuel.

💡Jet A-1 Fuel

Jet A-1 is a type of aviation fuel used in aircraft. The script specifies the temperature range for Jet A-1 fuel, which is crucial for its proper use and to prevent issues such as freezing. The Airbus A320's fuel system must operate within these temperature limits to ensure safe and efficient fuel usage.

💡Captain Joe

Captain Joe is the presenter of the video and likely a pilot or aviation expert. He provides the introduction and conclusion to the video, expressing gratitude for the support from TFC and inviting viewers to the next video in the series. His role is to guide the audience through the explanation of the Airbus A320's fuel system.

Highlights

Introduction to the Airbus A320 fuel system in a 10-part video series.

The A320 fuel system's role in refueling, engine and APU fuel supply, oil cooling, wing bending and flutter relief, and ECAM information display.

Cockpit fuel-related switches and ECAM display functionalities.

Automatic ECAM fuel page display in case of system failure or warning.

External refueling panel and coupling locations on the A320.

Description of the three fuel tanks: left, right, and center, with further division into inner and outer tanks.

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

ECAM fuel display details, including FOB, wing tank fuel quantity and temperature, and fuel system components.

Explanation of the fuel system's operation to primarily use center tanks before inner tanks.

The function of the transfer valve to allow outer wing tank fuel to flow into the inner tank by gravity at a specific fuel level.

The purpose of the barrier between the outer and inner wing tanks to reduce wing bending and control flutter.

The crossfeed valve's role in transferring fuel between sides in case of engine failure or fuel imbalance.

Details on the six identical fuel pumps and their operation.

Redundancy provided by suction valves in each wing tank in case of pump failure.

Absence of suction valves in the center tank and the implications of center tank pump failure.

Temperature limitations for jet A-1 fuel and the Airbus fuel-to-oil heat exchanger to prevent freezing.

Closing remarks and acknowledgment of TFC flight training center and the Airbus A320 simulator.

Transcripts

dear friends and followers welcome back to my channel and greetings from the Airbus a 320 simulator at the

TFC flight training center here in Essen Germany. This is video number 3 out of 10

Airbus introduction videos and today, I'll be giving you a basic explanation of the Airbus A320 fuel system

So let's get started

(Air Traffic Control Radio)

(Up beat electronic music playing)

The A320 fuel system consists of the fuel tanks, controls the distribution of the fuel during refueling,

supplies fuel to the engines and apu

cools the oil for the integrated drive generator lubrication system

keeps fuel in the outer wing for wing bending and flutter relief and

supplies information on the Ecam and cockpit indication

Within the cockpit we have all the related fuel

switches on the overhead panel and the Ecam display showing the fuel panel after

pressing the fuel button on the Ecam control panel. Other than that the Ecam will

automatically display the fuel page in case of a system failure or warning.

Outside of the cockpit you can find a refueling panel on the lower part of the fuselage,

below the right-hand wing and the refueling coupling in the midsection on either side of the wings

The fuel is stored in three tanks: the left and right wing tank and the Center tank

The wing tanks are further divided into a inner tank and a outer tank. The total usable fuel capacity

is 23.858 liters or

6302 US gallons on the Airbus A320 model.

Okay, let's look at the Ecam fuel display. Starting at the bottom we have the FOB, the fuel on board

Moving up we have a scheme of the wing tanks, each showing the current fuel quantity and the fuel temperature

Except for the one in the center tank,

which isn't exposed as much to the outside air temperatures

compared to the wing tanks. Then you have the fuel pumps, the crossfeed valve and the fuel lines

Towards the engines

including the low pressure fuel valve.

Number one and two represent the engine one and two plus the fuel each engine has

used since engine starts and the sum of that. Now as you can see there is a barrier between the outer wing tank

and the inner wing tank. That's there for a specific reason, the fuel systems will primarily

empty or use the center tanks first

then the inner tanks and as soon as the inner tanks reach a fuel level of

750 kilograms,

a transfer valve will open, let in the outer wing tank fuel flow into the inner tank by gravity.

The reason therefore is to reduce wing bending and control wing flutter during flight.

Now, you can see that each side is isolated from each other, but if there were to be any

abnormality, like an engine failure for example, a fuel imbalance could create a further problem.

That's where the crossfeed valve comes to play. Normally the valve is closed, but setting it into the open position,

fuel then can be transferred from the heavier side to the lighter side using the fuel pumps accordingly.

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

When the wing tank pumps are selected on, they operate continuously, providing necessary

pressure to the fuel line feeding the engines and are manually switched off after the engines are shut down and

reaching the parking position.

To make the system redundant, suction valves are installed in each wing tank.

So in case both fuel pumps fail in a wing tank the engines can use

suction pressure to extract the remaining fuel from the tank.

But there aren't any suction valves installed in the center tank.

Therefore in case both center tank pumps should fail, the remaining fuel is not available from the center tank

Also, the fuel is limited by temperature. The minimum temperature for jet A-1 fuel is

-43 °C and a maximum of +45 °C.

To counteract from fuel freezing up in cruise,

Airbus has installed a fuel-to-oil heat exchanger. During flight, the cold fuel cools

the hot oil of the integrated drive generator and at the same time the oil

warms up the fuel to prevent it from freezing. That's it for today

I hope you enjoyed the basic introduction video of the fuel system on the Airbus A320

Thank you very much for the support by TFC providing me with this great flight simulator and see you next week. All the best,

Your Captain Joe.

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