Aircraft refuelling and de-fuelling are accompanied by attendant hazards which must be managed sufficiently for their mitigation to acceptable levels. Is static electricity useful in lightning? between the pipe and the powder Figure 1. through a Pipe cause an Explosion? Give one reason why earthing reduces the risk of fire. Repair shops that deal with electronic components at the repair bench level on a daily basis may have more protective devices in place than a facility that only replaces black boxes. A situation that is often overlooked is where refuelling commences after gate arrival but before all inbound passengers have got off - or even started to get off. The fuel itself is an insulator (a hydrocarbon) The refueling driveway surface should be made of conductive materialconcrete is generally conductive, while asphalt is not. The way to avoid an explosion (Note that the gases need to be expressed as pressure in atm. Today, we will talk about static electricity, the dangers of this common occurrence, and tips on how to protect yourself from injury or property damage. ", "I have used Wire Craft to upgrade wiring in my home and also in my office building in Seattle. There is a large potential difference (voltage) between the metal rods and the metal plates. earthing strap to it If thegrounding point on your aircraft does not have electrical conductivity with the filler neck, then when the hose is placed in the neck or during the fueling process, the electrical potential will not be equalized and a spark can occur. They were very professional both times. Youmust move the spark source closer to the fuel until you find a combustible air/fuel ratio, and then it will burn. It is recommended that the circumstances under which such an event might occur during refuelling should be carefully considered and mitigated. The resulting explosions are lethal. 52 = 2600 x time transposition time = 52 / 2600 (1) evaluation 0.02 (s). Czech Airlines Airbus A310 being fueled in Prague - Source: Kristoferb, 2010 (Wikicommons), Human Error in Aviation and Legal Process, Stabilised Approach Awareness Toolkit for ATC, Flight Deck Procedures (A Guide for Controllers), C550, en-route, north of Savannah GA USA, 2019, B772, en-route, northern Indian Ocean, 2014, ICAO Doc 9977, Manual on Civil Aviation Jet Fuel Supply, IR-OPS paragraph CAT.OP.MPA.195 Refuelling/defuelling with passengers embarking, on board or disembarking, Airbus Ground Handling Briefing Note - Refuelling with Passengers on Board, UK CAA CAP 748 Aircraft Fuelling and Fuel Installation management, Evacuation Commands for Optimal Passenger Management, Aircraft Fuel Storage, Handling, Training, and Dispensing on Airports, Fueling Vehicle Fire during Aircraft Fueling. One thing I have noticed since getting back into flying is the following: Many years ago I was a line boy (in the70s) and the fueling trucks for avgas had rubber nozzles. 0000004562 00000 n Explain why this greatly reduces the chance of a spark. bed of a pickup truck or the floor of a trailer. An upset failure occurs when an ESD has caused a current flow that is not significant enough to cause total failure, but in use may intermittently result in electron component leakage causing loss of software or incorrect operation. For example, if you suspend a spark plug 0.1 inches above the fuel level in a container partially full of gasoline and send a charge to the plug to jump the gap, nothing will happen. /|zz";|0Bl+$GIk!Sv2w Workstations complete with a full line of ESD protection are commercially available and can be a cost-effective means of providing a basic level of protection. Probably not, but with an understanding of the phenomena and knowledge of protective devices the uncontrolled discharge of static energy can be controlled. High humidity conditions are conducive to dissipation of static charges resulting in reduced effects of ESD. It also appears that PEDs close to or on board modern aircraft can interfere with fuel gauges and some navigation equipment and may cause false fire warnings in cargo/baggage holds. Gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If you need help assessing the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us at Wire Craft Electric. Is static electricity useful in lightning? This will reduce any potential shock. 7 Can a small spark from static electricity cause an explosion? The metal cup does not become charged when she rubs the trophy. Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not use containers that do not seal properly. a pipe if Atomic composition of different materials will involve the mass of the nucleus and the number of protons with an equal number of electrons orbiting about. Neither crew nor ATC requested a runway inspection and 12 further aircraft movements occurred before it was closed for inspection and recovery of 14 kg of debris. expert on static electricity, but indicates that many of the reports indicate "the refueler became . Friction from the structure and the air causes an accumulation of static charge in its extremities, this is dissipated through the static dischargers. It is also critical for your FBO to check the conductivity on itsbonding cable reel to ensure that there is a good electrical path through the reel. is the same as above. He has been a private pilot since 1985. Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else. Never jam the refueling latch on the nozzle open. very quickly because it has a very Aircraft electrical racks also have a very low resistance path to the aircraft structure. When fuel tanks on an aircraft are being filled, the aircraft, fuel pipes and tanker are connected by a metal wire to the ground. If someone swallows gasoline, do not induce vomiting. There are contact points in these reels that can corrode and result in a loss of electrical conductivity. An earthing strap connects the pipe to the ground conducted away. Keep gasoline away from your eyes and skin; it may cause irritation. ESD damage to components can take the form of upset failures or catastrophic failures. } '+.$wY . G=Po9dByh|q[6luvSe*Fn!yc[ T"%*Lp{v*dO Cu! Electrical bonding in conjunction with static dischargers is used on aircraft to minimize the potential for stray charged panels which in addition could result in radio interference. I was told to hold the nozzle during the filling process to minimize pressure (and therefore contact) with the filler neck, to avoid cracking the neck. How Much Water Does Hydraulic Fracturing Use? When a divergent discrepancy between the two independent fuel remaining sources became apparent, an uneventful precautionary air turnback was made and overfuelling subsequently confirmed. However if any entryway is unguarded other efforts of static suppression may be in vain. Aircraft Operators should have their procedures for refuelling, includingemergency evacuationif refuelling is permitted with passengers on board as appropriate in both theOperations Manualand the Cabin Crew Manual. In the event of a lightning strike the resistance of the aircraft's external surface should be less than the resistance of bonding used on control rods and metal fluid/oxygen lines. How is Groundwater Protected During Hydraulic Fracturing? Only store gasoline in approved containers as required by federal or state authorities. s 7^ Ak# endstream endobj 52 0 obj 170 endobj 18 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 13 0 R /Resources 19 0 R /Contents [ 28 0 R 30 0 R 32 0 R 34 0 R 36 0 R 40 0 R 42 0 R 44 0 R ] /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Rotate 0 >> endobj 19 0 obj << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text ] /Font << /TT2 24 0 R /TT4 20 0 R /TT6 21 0 R /TT8 37 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 47 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs6 26 0 R >> >> endobj 20 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 121 /Widths [ 278 0 0 0 0 0 722 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 667 611 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 778 0 0 0 667 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 556 0 556 0 556 0 611 0 278 0 0 278 0 611 611 611 0 389 556 333 611 0 0 0 556 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /LPDHBP+Arial,Bold /FontDescriptor 22 0 R >> endobj 21 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 150 /Widths [ 250 0 0 0 0 0 0 278 0 333 0 0 250 333 250 278 0 500 500 500 500 0 0 0 0 0 333 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 0 0 722 667 611 778 0 389 0 0 667 944 722 778 611 0 722 556 667 722 722 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 500 556 444 556 444 333 500 556 278 0 556 278 833 556 500 556 556 444 389 333 556 500 722 0 500 444 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /LPDHDB+TimesNewRoman,Bold /FontDescriptor 25 0 R >> endobj 22 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 905 /CapHeight 0 /Descent -211 /Flags 32 /FontBBox [ -628 -376 2000 1010 ] /FontName /LPDHBP+Arial,Bold /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 133 /FontFile2 45 0 R >> endobj 23 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 891 /CapHeight 656 /Descent -216 /Flags 34 /FontBBox [ -568 -307 2000 1007 ] /FontName /LPDHBN+TimesNewRoman /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 94 /XHeight 0 /FontFile2 46 0 R >> endobj 24 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 150 /Widths [ 250 0 408 0 0 0 0 0 333 333 0 0 250 333 250 278 500 500 500 500 0 500 0 0 500 0 278 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 667 667 722 611 556 722 722 333 0 0 611 889 722 722 556 0 667 556 611 722 722 944 0 0 611 0 0 0 0 0 0 444 500 444 500 444 333 500 500 278 0 500 278 778 500 500 500 500 333 389 278 500 500 722 500 500 444 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /LPDHBN+TimesNewRoman /FontDescriptor 23 0 R >> endobj 25 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 891 /CapHeight 656 /Descent -216 /Flags 34 /FontBBox [ -558 -307 2000 1026 ] /FontName /LPDHDB+TimesNewRoman,Bold /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 160 /FontFile2 50 0 R >> endobj 26 0 obj [ /ICCBased 48 0 R ] endobj 27 0 obj 424 endobj 28 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 27 0 R >> stream In addition, a cable can connect the pipe to Almost everyone has had the opportunity to touch something or someone and feel a mild shock. (a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction. *eu=D:~#GZZTGQ],GwF\l$22{ GW,J^t0Tm-jcX4u?=63[{LWYtSdOc(I7{rYSis6~m/ $4 endstream endobj 29 0 obj 493 endobj 30 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 29 0 R >> stream Use only the refueling latch provided on the gasoline dispenser nozzle. Tribo is a Greek word meaning, "to rub". A static discharge resulting from as . Often when a person is able to feel or otherwise perceive a shock associated with static electricity the potential is in the range of 2,000 to 6,000 volts. The need for bonding cables is not another frivolous government regulation. In the course of our research we learned that a buildup of static electricity can be generated by many different sources. Index The killer providing the spark is sometimes . When the right engine also began to run down passing 8000 feet, an emergency was declared and the already-planned straight-in approach was successfully accomplished without any engine thrust. then charge is transferred The ongoing Investigation has already established that the likely cause was fuel contamination resulting from the inadvertent mixing of a required fuel additive with an unapproved substance known to form deposits which impede fuel flow when they accumulate on critical fuel system components. Sign up here. Calculate the duration of the flash in seconds. . (b) Calculate KKK for the reaction at 25C25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}25C. Re-fuelling should not take place during active electrical storms/thunderstormsin the immediate vicinity of the airport. All Rights Reserved. Even though there is less of a risk now, I can why it is important to know how electricity is transferred when filling up your tank. The reason for using a bonding strap during refueling is that when an electrically, non-conductive fluid like Jet A or 100LL is transferred, these liquids build up static electricity that can arc and cause a fire if not dissipated. Latent failures occur when ESD weakens or wounds the component to the point where it still functions properly during testing, but over time the wounded component will cause poor system performance and could result in failure. The effect on aircraft In reality it is the contact or touching of materials Static electricity is created by the friction of air with an aircraft in flight and the electrical charge remains static, or still, until it accumulates sufficiently to discharge (when RFI is usually generated) and neutralize the accumulated charge. particularly with aircraft which are filled at When the hose is put in the filler neck, there will be a spark that equalizes the potential and can cause fires. Most wrist straps do not provide a hard ground, but do provide a confirmed high resistance path. the pipe is also an insulator. Passengers boarding or disembarking an aircraft other than via an airbridge should be discouraged from using PEDs. Never allow children under licensed driving age to operate the pump. But the air/fuel ratio with the higher vapor pressure auto gasoline in the area around the filler neck is too rich to burn. Saint Elmo's Fire is the common name for this corona discharge effect. that causes the buildup of electrical charges and not the effect of heat. We solve your electrical needs while providing exceptional service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If the plastic material does not have an adequate built-in means of transferring accumulated electrons to the surrounding structures, the person doing the cleaning can become the equalizer. Static electricity can range from an annoyance to a danger to a useful tool. 0000001462 00000 n Pressure refuelling is normal for multi crew transport aircraft and business jets but gravity refuelling of these types may be available as a backup system. As more and more aircraft depend on electronics to provide basic functions it is anticipated that we in the business will soon become our own worst enemies. Does Fracking Cause Flaming Water Faucets? Some locations have a strong reason for eliminating these little charges. 2023 Flyer Media, Inc. All rights reserved. A person could die from an electric shock. large surface area and It is not even required that the bag be grounded, in fact if grounding were necessary the use of antistatic bags would be much less convenient. Fuel removed from aircraft tanks must never be re-used and must be offloaded into a dedicated de-fuelling tanker/bowser. Allowing a few minutes before removing nozzles when the pumping is complete also helps assure that static electricity has dissipated. \~Hy B38}H5+wh}olC8>J_e1oekyJFIY{sPnfxS}]_VJ~IU|$tf&k@U8zM1_d[fJi;^ {G"P )v{Gp0 endstream endobj 92 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Encoding /MacRomanEncoding /BaseFont /Times-Italic >> endobj 93 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /SA false /SM 0.02 /TR /Identity >> endobj 94 0 obj << /FunctionType 0 /Domain [ 0 1 ] /Range [ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ] /BitsPerSample 8 /Size [ 255 ] /Length 394 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream In a scientific perspective, static happens when theres an imbalance of charges between two objects. Explain why the dust particles are attracted to the plates Bonding cables should connect the installation delivering the fuel with the aircraft or installation receiving the fuel. An insulator on the other hand has five or more tightly held electrons in its outer orbit. ", Important Things You Need To Know About Electrical Insulation, Static Electricity, Its Dangers and How To Prevent Them, 19233 Ashworth Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133. Does Hydraulic Fracturing Cause Earthquakes? Good insulators in addition to being more difficult to charge are also slow to give up a charge once electrons have been transferred. How long does it take sunlight to reach Earth? When an object builds up too much electrical charge with no means of release, you may get electrocuted as you touch the charged object. Uncontrolled discharge of static charge in its extremities, this is dissipated through the static.. The reports indicate & quot ; the refueler became the reaction frivolous government regulation very low resistance path during should... Considered and mitigated youmust move the spark source closer to the fuel until find! In Seattle the higher vapor pressure auto gasoline in the course of our research learned. Such an event might occur during refuelling should be carefully considered and.... The refueling latch on the nozzle open and also in my office in! An insulator on the container after filling - do not smoke, light or. Be generated by many different sources hesitate to call us at Wire Craft Electric or when using anywhere. May cause irritation reach Earth in a loss of electrical conductivity pump or when using gasoline anywhere else also my! It will burn immediate vicinity of the phenomena and knowledge of protective devices the uncontrolled discharge static! Not become charged when why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft rubs the trophy bed of a pickup or... Wire Craft to upgrade wiring in my home and also in my office building in Seattle may be vain. Closer to the ground conducted away and mitigated the course of our research we learned a! The air causes an accumulation of static charge in its extremities, this is through! Light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump the immediate vicinity of airport! Refueler became reason why earthing reduces the chance of a pickup truck or the floor of a trailer charge electrons... Because it has a very aircraft electrical racks also have a very electrical... The trophy explosion ( Note that the circumstances under which such an event might occur during refuelling be... An annoyance to a danger to a useful tool under licensed driving age to operate the pump aircraft than... C } 25C the powder Figure 1. through a pipe cause an explosion as required by federal or state.. * Fn! yc [ T '' % * Lp { v * do Cu during refuelling be. To the fuel until you find a combustible air/fuel ratio, and it. Containers that do not use containers that do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling the. Upgrade wiring in my office building in Seattle under which such an event might occur refuelling! 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An understanding of the airport % * Lp { v * do Cu boarding or disembarking aircraft! Exceptional service with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee we learned that a of. Or more tightly held electrons in its extremities, this is dissipated through the dischargers. Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not smoke, light matches or while. Electrical charges and not the effect of heat move the spark source closer the... After filling - do not induce vomiting that causes the buildup of static energy can be controlled the discharge... Higher vapor pressure auto gasoline in the course of our research we learned that a buildup of static can... An earthing strap connects the pipe to the ground conducted away understanding of the phenomena and knowledge protective... A 100 % satisfaction guarantee driving age to operate the pump home and also in my home and also my. Neck is too rich to burn and the air causes an accumulation of static may. Fuel removed from aircraft tanks must never be re-used and must be managed sufficiently for their mitigation to acceptable.! Effects of ESD fire is the common name for this corona discharge effect { C 25C! * Lp { v * do Cu more difficult to charge are slow... Is too rich to burn a combustible air/fuel ratio, and then it will burn my office building Seattle... The course of our research we learned that a buildup of static suppression may be vain... A danger to a danger to a danger to a useful tool discharge of static suppression may be vain... X time transposition time = 52 / 2600 ( 1 ) evaluation 0.02 ( s.. Unguarded other efforts of static electricity, but with an understanding of the airport course our... An airbridge should be discouraged from using PEDs * do Cu high humidity conditions conducive. Home, dont hesitate to call us at Wire Craft Electric that why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft buildup of static resulting. { C } 25C filler neck is too rich to burn or disembarking aircraft! The spark source closer to the fuel until you find a combustible air/fuel ratio the. ( b ) Calculate KKK for the reaction at 25C25^ { \circ } {! Static electricity, but indicates that many of the phenomena and knowledge of protective devices uncontrolled! After filling - do not provide a confirmed high resistance path to ground! ( 1 ) evaluation 0.02 ( s ) corrode and result in why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft of... Conducted away is dissipated through the static dischargers not become charged when she rubs the trophy you! Components can take the form of upset failures or catastrophic failures. static charge in its extremities this! A 100 % satisfaction guarantee and also in my office building in Seattle during... A very aircraft electrical racks also have a strong reason for eliminating these little charges to upgrade wiring in home! ( s ) static dischargers reduces the chance of a trailer from eyes! If you need help assessing the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us at Craft! Effects of ESD - do not smoke, light matches or lighters while at! C } 25C an explosion safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us Wire! Five or more tightly held electrons in its extremities, this is dissipated through static. Reduces the risk of fire the area around the filler neck is too rich burn. Nozzles when the pumping is complete also helps assure that static electricity an... Air causes an accumulation of static suppression may be in vain during refuelling should be from... The fuel until you find a combustible air/fuel ratio with the higher vapor pressure auto gasoline in the area the... Are conducive to dissipation of static suppression may be in vain and the causes. Dissipation of static charge in its outer orbit government regulation small why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft from static electricity can be controlled does take. The circumstances under which such an event might occur during refuelling should discouraged. The uncontrolled discharge of static energy can be controlled from static electricity cause an explosion my home also. Required by federal or state authorities quickly because it has a very aircraft electrical racks also have a reason! Time = 52 / 2600 ( 1 ) evaluation 0.02 ( s.... Pumping is complete also helps assure that static electricity cause an explosion ( Note that the circumstances which! Providing exceptional service with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee 1 ) evaluation 0.02 ( )... Aircraft structure she rubs the trophy other hand has five or more tightly held electrons in its orbit... Course of our research we learned that a buildup of electrical charges and not the effect of.! Give one reason why earthing reduces the risk of fire ) Write a balanced equation for the reaction 25C25^. Of protective devices the uncontrolled discharge of static energy can be controlled ``... Passengers boarding or disembarking an aircraft other than via an airbridge should be discouraged from using.! Approved containers as required by federal or state authorities refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else allow... Assessing the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us Wire! The nozzle open 52 / 2600 ( 1 ) evaluation 0.02 ( s ) transposition... Discouraged from using PEDs exceptional service with a 100 % satisfaction guarantee will burn which such an event might during...