Cold - Weather - Ops - by - Airbus-Fuel Impact PDF

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OLM FBW 2006 – Toulouse – 26-28 September 2006

Presented by

Zidan REN
Flight Operations Engineer

Cold Weather Operations


Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch
Contents

1 Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

2 Dispatch Consideration

3 On Ground and In Flight Procedures


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

4 Conclusion

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 3 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

The Fuel System will trigger low temperature alerts when the
fuel in the tanks is colder than certain temperature thresholds.

The low temperature thresholds are defined with the


consideration of:

 Fuel freezing point;

 Engine margin;
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

 Overall temperature accuracy error.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 4 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel Freezing Point


ASTM International standard: Fuel Freezing Point
The temperature at which the Specification
Specification values
values
wax crystals in the fuel,
JetA
JetA –40 °C
formed previously when the
fuel was cooled, completely JP5 –46 °C
disappear when the fuel is JetA1
JetA1 / JP8 –47 °C
warmed.
TS-1 / RT –50 °C
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

JetB –50 °C

TH –53 °C

JP4 –58 °C

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 5 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel Freezing Point


Mixed fuel:
 Experiments have shown that fuel mixtures do not behave as
ideal fluids; the resulting freezing point is commonly adversely
affected.
A common practice* to evaluate JetA/JetA1 mixtures:
– JetA less than 10% in the mixture: Fuel Freezing Point:
JetA1 JetA
>90%
 JetA1
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

– JetA more than 10% in the mixture: Fuel Freezing Point:


JetA1 JetA
>10%
 JetA
* Not an approved method

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 6 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Engine Margin
The temperature margin Engine
Engine Margin
Margin
that ensures the required
fuel viscosity at engine inlet.
PW 0 °C
Different engine system
architectures lead to RR 0 °C
different temperature
GE 3 °C
margins over the fuel
freezing point.
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

IAE 4 °C

CFM - A320F 4 °C

CFM - A340 5 °C

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 7 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel System
A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Short- to medium-haul flights.


 Less exposed to extremely cold atmosphere.
Fuel recirculation system – IDG oil cooling.
 Warmed fuel from engine returns to the outer (wing) tank.
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 8 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel System
A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340
A318/A319/A320 System Display - FUEL
Fuel Low Temperature
alert thresholds: -40 °C -38 -38 °C -40

 Advisory: –40°C
TAT –42 °C GW KG
SAT –67 °C 05H20

A318/A319/A320 Engine/Warning Display

FUEL L OUTER TK LO TEMP  Caution: –45°C


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

< R OUTER >


< L INNER >
< R INNER >

A321 Engine/Warning Display


FUEL L WING TK LO TEMP
< R WING >

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 9 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel System
A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Long-haul flights.
No fuel movement
in the outer tanks
before the
transfer to
the inner
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

tanks.
Outer tanks
are more
prone to low
temperature
alerts.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 10 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel System
A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Alert thresholds A330


A330
Inner Tanks Inner Outer/Trim
Engine
Engine margin
margin –37°C –40°C

JetA A330 GE 3°C


A340 -200/-300
A340-200/-300
Freezing
Freezing Point
Point A340 -200
-300 CFM 5°C
(Specification)
(Specification) Inner Outer/Trim
A340 -500
-600 RR 0°C –35°C –40°C
–40°C
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Outer Tanks
& Trim Tank A340 -500/-600
A340-500/-600
No
No engine
engine margin
margin Inner Outer/Trim
–40°C –40°C
First trigger of the A330/A340 Engine/Warning Display

ECAM caution: FUEL FUEL LO TEMP

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 11 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Fuel System
A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Alert thresholds A330


A330
Inner Tanks Inner Outer/Trim
Engine
Engine margin
margin –44°C –47°C

JetA1 A330 GE 3°C


A340 -200/-300
A340-200/-300
Freezing
Freezing Point
Point A340 -200
-300 CFM 5°C
(Specification)
(Specification) Inner Outer/Trim
A340 -500
-600 RR 0°C –42°C –47°C
–47°C
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Outer Tanks
& Trim Tank A340 -500/-600
A340-500/-600
No
No engine
engine margin
margin Inner Outer/Trim
–47°C –47°C
Recall of the A330/A340 Engine/Warning Display

ECAM caution: FUEL FUEL LO TEMP

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 12 OLM FBW 2006
Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

Influencing Factors of Fuel Temperature

Initial fuel temperature

Outside Air Temperature

Mach number

Fuel quantity (tank full / not full)


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Size and shape of the fuel tank

Day flight / night flight (solar heat)

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 13 OLM FBW 2006
Contents

1 Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

2 Dispatch Consideration

3 On Ground and In Flight Procedures


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

4 Conclusion

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 14 OLM FBW 2006
Dispatch Consideration

Flight Planning
FTP – Fuel Temperature Prediction software
 Part of Airbus’ performance programs package WinPEP

 Accurate prediction of fuel temperature in each tank

 Takes into account actual weather

 Interfaces with airline flight planning system


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 15 OLM FBW 2006
Dispatch Consideration

Flight Planning
FTP – Fuel Temperature Prediction software

SUMMARY
SUMMARY OFOF OUTPUT
OUTPUT
NO
NO FUEL
FUEL FREEZING
FREEZING ISSUES
ISSUES ENCOUNTERED
ENCOUNTERED
NORMAL FUEL MANAGEMENT
NORMAL FUEL MANAGEMENT
MINIMUM
MINIMUM OAT
OAT OF
OF -68
-68 OCCURRED
OCCURRED AT
AT WAYPOINT
WAYPOINT GOPTA
GOPTA
MINIMUM
MINIMUM TEMPERATURES
TEMPERATURES OF
OF ALL
ALL TANKS
TANKS
TANK
TANK TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE WAYPOINT
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

WAYPOINT
L_OTR
L_OTR -37 BD
-37 BD
INR_1
INR_1 -34 BU
-34 BU
INR_2 -31 YBL
INR_2 -31 YBL
CT -30 BRT
CT -30 BRT
INR_3
INR_3 -32 YBL
-32 YBL
INR_4 -34 BU
INR_4 -34 BU
R_OTR
R_OTR -37 BU
-37 BU
RCT -31 AGEMA
RCT -31 AGEMA
TT -35 KENTA
TT -35 KENTA

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 16 OLM FBW 2006
Dispatch Consideration

Actual Fuel Freezing Point


Knowing the actual freezing point of the fuel loaded on the
aircraft may allow the flight crew to delay the fuel low
temperature procedures.

May be determined by means of a fuel freeze analysis


program
Jet
Jet Fuel
Fuel Quality
Quality
 Provided a monitoring program, Analyzer
Analyzer
including maintenance, dispatch,
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

and flight crew procedures, has


been set up and accepted by the
authorities.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 17 OLM FBW 2006
Dispatch Consideration

Actual Fuel Freezing Point


Operators that often face low fuel temperature situations are
encouraged to determine the fuel’s actual freezing point before
the flight.
Example:
Based on a survey at several major US airports over a given
period of time, the measured freezing point of JetA fuel is 3°C
(conservative average) lower than the specification value.
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

JetA Freezing Point Average Range

New York –45.2°C –44.1°C ~ –46.0°C


Los Angeles –50.9°C –46.8°C ~ –58.2°C
Chicago –43.2°C –42.4°C ~ –44.7°C
San Francisco –52.2°C –48.6°C ~ –56.1°C

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 18 OLM FBW 2006
Contents

1 Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

2 Dispatch Consideration

3 On Ground and In Flight Procedures


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

4 Conclusion

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 19 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

Advisory and/or caution will be triggered on the ECAM


when the temperature in the tanks drops below the
defined threshold.

Application of the ECAM procedure can be delayed


considering:
 The actual fuel type;

 The actual freezing point measured prior to the flight.


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 20 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

Before Take-off

All Aircraft Types

Engine/Warning Display
If the fuel low temperature
FUEL <...> LO TEMP
caution is triggered before -DELAY T.O

the flight, the take-off


shall be delayed until all
temperatures are within
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

the limits.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 21 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340-200/-300 A340-500/-600

A318/A319/A320 Engine/Warning Display


Caution is triggered for
FUEL L OUTER TK LO TEMP
< R OUTER > crew awareness
< L INNER >
< R INNER >
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

A321 Engine/Warning Display


FUEL L WING TK LO TEMP
< R WING >

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 22 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Principle of the fuel low temperature


procedures:
 Outer tank low temperature:
– Outer to inner transfer.
 Inner tank low temperature:
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

– Center to inner transfer.


 Trim tank low temperature:
– Trim tank transfer forward.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 23 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340-200/-300 A340-500/-600

A330 (FWC K8) and A340-200/-300 (FWC L10) EWD


First trigger of the ECAM
FUEL FUEL LO TEMP
∙IF JET A FUEL:
caution –
-OUTR TK XFR.........ON
∙IF NECESSARY:  Application of procedure
-TAT...........INCREASE
can be delayed if:
– Fuel onboard is not JetA;
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

(fuel with lower freezing point)


or
∙IF JET A FUEL:
-CTR TANK XFR.......MAN – Actual freezing point is
lower than –40°C.
∙IF JET A FUEL:
-T TANK MODE........FWD

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 24 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340-200/-300 A340-500/-600

A330 (FWC K8) and A340-200/-300 (FWC L10) EWD


Recall of the ECAM
FUEL FUEL LO TEMP
-OUTR TK XFR.........ON
caution –
∙IF NECESSARY:
-TAT...........INCREASE  Application of procedure
can be further delayed if:
– Actual freezing point is
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

lower than –47°C.

-CTR TANK XFR.......MAN

-T TANK MODE........FWD

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 25 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340-200/-300 A340-500/-600

A340-500/-600 (FWC W4) Engine/Warning Display


First trigger of the ECAM
FUEL LO TEMP
-FUEL FREEZE PT...CHECK
caution –
∙IF JET A FUEL:
MAX SPEED.........305KT  Application of procedure
-OUTR TK XFR........MAN
∙IF NECESSARY: can be delayed if:
-TAT...........INCREASE
– Fuel onboard is not JetA;
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

(fuel with lower freezing point)


or
∙IF JET A FUEL:
-CTR TO INR XFR.....MAN – Actual freezing point is
lower than –40°C.
∙IF JET A FUEL:
-T TK XFR...........FWD

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 26 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

In Flight

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340-200/-300 A340-500/-600

A340-500/-600 (FWC W4) Engine/Warning Display


Recall of the ECAM
FUEL LO TEMP
-FUEL FREEZE PT...CHECK
caution –
MAX SPEED.........305KT
-OUTR TK XFR........MAN  Application of procedure
∙IF NECESSARY:
-TAT...........INCREASE can be further delayed if:
– Actual freezing point is
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

lower than –47°C.

-CTR TO INR XFR.....MAN

-T TK XFR...........FWD

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 27 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

After Landing

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

To benefit the subsequent flight, a manual fuel transfer from


outer to inner tanks may be performed just after landing, if it
has not been done during the last flight.

Considerations shall be based on:


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

 Wing surface icing


before the next take-off

 FUEL LO TEMP caution


during the subsequent flight

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 28 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

After Landing

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Manual transfer after landing:


 Ensures a better mix of the cooled reserve fuel with the warmer
refueling truck fuel.
 Reduces exposure to condensation frost on wing surfaces.
No manual transfer after landing:
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

 Keeps normal wing load for the subsequent flight, if no refueling


is planned at this airport.
 Keeps the fuel with lower freezing point in the outer tanks for
the subsequent flight.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 29 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

After Landing

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

Wing surface icing consideration:


 The worst scenario is a short transit at a “warm” humid airport
(no de-icing equipment).

No Refueling
Refueling Yes
planned
planned at
at this
this
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

airport?
airport?

No
No manual
manual Manual
Manual
outer
outer to
to inner
inner outer
outer to
to inner
inner
transfer
transfer transfer
transfer

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 30 OLM FBW 2006
On Ground and In Flight Procedures

After Landing

A318/A319/A320/A321 A330/A340

FUEL LO TEMP consideration for the subsequent flight:


No Refueling
Refueling Yes
planned
planned at
at this
this
airport?
airport?
JetA Refueling
Refueling JetA1
fuel
fuel is
is JetA
JetA or
or
JetA1
JetA1
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

Yes Outer
Outer tanks
tanks No
are
are completely full
completely full with
with
JetA1
JetA1 fuel
fuel

No
No manual
manual Manual
Manual
outer
outer to
to inner
inner outer
outer to
to inner
inner
transfer
transfer transfer
transfer

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 31 OLM FBW 2006
Contents

1 Fuel and Fuel System Characteristics

2 Dispatch Consideration

3 On Ground and In Flight Procedures


© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

4 Conclusion

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 32 OLM FBW 2006
Conclusion

 Fuel low temperature alerts may be encountered on long-


haul flights in extremely cold atmosphere. Outer tanks on
Long Range aircraft are the most affected.

 Software tool is available for predictive flight planning when


operating cold weather routes.

 ECAM procedures can be delayed if the actual fuel


freezing point measured before the flight is lower than the
© AIRBUS S. A.S . 2006. A ll right s reserved. Confident ial and propri et ary doc ument .

specification value.

 Selective manual fuel transfer from the outer to the inner


wing tanks after landing may benefit the subsequent flight
in cold atmosphere.

Cold Weather Operations: Impact on the Fuel System and Dispatch 33 OLM FBW 2006

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