TAP011: A320 Fuel System (Part 1)

Happy New Year!

Well we've had a couple of weeks break, now we're straight back to it and this week is a good one. Fuel. Theres more to this system than you would imagine actually.

Here is a summary of the fuel's journey from tanker to engine/APU

Fuel enters the aircraft via the Refuel coupling or (hose connector) on the right wing. There is also the option to have one installed on the left wing if so desired.
The amount of fuel required is selected on the Fuel panel on the right hand side of the fuselage. There is also the option to have a second panel fitted on the wing next to the hose connection.
From the refuelling connection the fuel is carried along the length of both wings in what Airbus call a gallery. It basically a pipe with valves and outlets along it to deliver fuel to the correct places.
Each wing has an inner tank, an outer tank and a surge tank. There is a centre tank in the fuselage. Fuel can be delivered into the outer tanks or the centre tank.

Out of interest, the rough refuelling time at a standard pressure is about 17 min for wing tanks and 20 min for all tanks.

From here, there's then three options for where the fuel can go. One of the two engines or, the APU.

The fuel can be delivered in two ways. By fuel pumps or by gravity feeding. There are a total of six main fuel pumps, two in each of the inner tanks and two in the centre tank. Each pump supplies fuel to the engines.
There's a crossfeed valve which allows fuel from either wing to feed either engine. Then as we reach the engine we have the low pressure fuel valve, which can stop the fuel flow "to the engine. It's closed by either the engine master switch, or the ENG FIRE PUSH pushbutton.

Scenario of the week - What procedures do you have to follow if you are gravity feeding and where are they found?

Thanks, and remember - Fly Safe