Regan Brown
Collector tanks, also known as slosh boxes, are an essential component of fuel systems, particularly in aircraft and motorsports vehicles. They serve the critical function of preventing fuel starvation by ensuring a consistent supply of fuel to the engine. Collector tanks are designed to trap fuel near the fuel pickup line, preventing air from entering the fuel system. In aircraft, collector tanks are replenished by main transfer tanks, which maintain a stable centre of gravity for the aircraft. Additionally, a cross-feed system enables multiple engines to draw fuel from a single collector tank. This redundancy ensures that engines have access to the fuel they need during flight.
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What You'll Learn
Collector tanks prevent fuel starvation
Fuel starvation is a common issue in fuel systems. Collector tanks, sometimes known as slosh boxes, are an effective solution to this problem. Collector tanks are installed inside the fuel cell and designed to trap fuel near the fuel pickup line, preventing air from entering the fuel system. They are also used to protect against fuel slosh, which can cause the engine to run dry.
Collector tanks are designed to prevent fuel starvation by trapping fuel near the pickup line. This ensures that the engine always has access to fuel, even if the vehicle is shifting or experiencing fuel slosh. The in-tank fuel pump or pickup tube is inserted into the collector tank, and check valves serve as trap doors to keep fuel contained.
In addition to collector tanks, surge tanks can also be used to prevent fuel starvation. Surge tanks can be mounted internally or externally to the fuel tank or fuel cell. They use a lift pump to fill a reservoir that is not affected by acceleration, braking, or hard cornering. This allows for consistent fuel delivery and the ability to scavenge fuel until the tank is empty.
For aircraft, such as the CRJ 700, fuel is pumped into the airplane through over-wing filling ports or a single-point pressure refuelling station at the right-wing root. The fuel then travels from the main tanks to the collector tanks by gravity or scavenger ejectors. From the collector tanks, boost pumps or main ejectors send the fuel towards the engine for combustion.
The Radium Engineering in-tank collector box is an example of a product designed to prevent fuel starvation. It is fabricated from 5052 aluminium and features optimal corrosion resistance. The small tab on top of the box can be hand-formed to secure a pump or pickup tube. Radium Engineering also offers a Fuel Cell Surge Tank that complements the collector box for ultimate fuel starvation protection.
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Collector tanks trap fuel near the fuel pickup line
Collector tanks, also known as slosh boxes, are installed inside the fuel cell to trap fuel near the fuel pickup line. They are designed to prevent air from entering the fuel system, which can cause fuel starvation. Fuel starvation is a common issue, and collector tanks are a simple and effective solution. They are often used in conjunction with surge tanks, which can be mounted internally or externally and use a lift pump to fill a reservoir unaffected by acceleration, braking, or cornering.
Collector tanks are commonly used in aircraft fuel systems. For example, the Concorde aircraft has a fuel system with four red-coloured collector tanks that feed the four Olympus engines. The remaining fuel is transferred to the collector tanks from the main transfer tanks, or "trim tanks," which are blue-coloured. The trim tank contents are pre-selected on load limit selectors, and any excess fuel is transferred to the main transfer tanks. The collector tanks are then replenished from these main transfer tanks in a sequence that minimises the movement of the aircraft's centre of gravity.
In the CRJ 700 fuel system, fuel travels from the main tanks by gravity or scavenger ejectors into the collector tanks. From there, boost pumps or main ejectors send the fuel towards the engine for combustion. The CRJ 700 also features a bi-directional crossflow pump that allows fuel to move freely between tanks.
Collector tanks can be installed in standard and custom fuel cells and are designed to prevent fuel slosh. The in-tank fuel pump or pickup tube is inserted into the collector tank, and check valves serve as trap doors to keep fuel contained regardless of the vehicle's movement. These collector tanks are typically fabricated from 5052 aluminium and are TIG welded, media blasted, and bright-dipped anodised for optimal corrosion resistance.
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Collector tanks are also called slosh boxes
Collector tanks, also known as slosh boxes, are installed inside the fuel cell to prevent fuel starvation by trapping fuel near the fuel pickup line. This prevents air from entering the fuel system, which can cause the engine to run dry. Sloshing occurs when the liquid inside a tank experiences forces that cause it to move around, such as a sudden change in speed or direction, or external forces like wind or waves. This can cause a shift in weight distribution, making a vehicle more difficult to control and potentially leading to accidents and injuries.
In the transportation industry, sloshing can cause a loss of vehicle control, while in cargo ships, it can cause the ship to capsize or lose stability. In aircraft, sloshing can affect the centre of gravity and result in a loss of control, and in shore-oil tanks, it can lead to spills and environmental damage. To prevent sloshing, measures such as compartmentalization and the use of baffles can be implemented to reduce the amount of liquid that can move around and improve stability.
Collector tanks are designed to address the issue of fuel starvation and sloshing by ensuring a consistent fuel supply to the engine. They are fabricated from corrosion-resistant materials such as 5052 aluminum and anodized for optimal performance and safety. The in-tank fuel pump or pickup tube is inserted into the collector tank, and check valves serve as trap doors to keep fuel contained no matter the direction of the vehicle.
By adding a collector tank to the fuel system, vehicles can mitigate the risks associated with fuel starvation and sloshing, improving safety and performance. The collector tank's ability to trap fuel near the fuel pickup line ensures a consistent fuel supply and prevents air from entering the system, contributing to a more efficient and reliable fuel delivery system.
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Collector tanks are fabricated from 5052 aluminium
Collector tanks are an important component of a fuel system, preventing fuel starvation by trapping fuel near the fuel pickup line. Collector tanks are often installed inside the fuel cell, acting as a slosh box to prevent air from entering the fuel system.
The fabrication process for collector tanks made from 5052 aluminium typically involves TIG welding, media blasting, and bright dipping anodization. This treatment enhances the alloy's natural corrosion resistance, ensuring optimal protection against the elements. The welding process securely joins the pieces of 5052 aluminium together, creating a strong and durable structure for the collector tank.
The choice of 5052 aluminium for collector tanks is a deliberate one, as it offers a combination of strength, formability, and corrosion resistance. This specific alloy is also recommended for fuel tanks due to its ability to be hardened through cold working, making it a versatile and reliable option for fuel system components. The fabrication process, including the welding and treatment techniques, ensures that the collector tanks are optimally designed to withstand the demands of fuel storage and transfer.
In summary, collector tanks fabricated from 5052 aluminium play a crucial role in preventing fuel starvation and ensuring a consistent fuel supply. The unique properties of 5052 aluminium, coupled with careful fabrication techniques, result in a highly effective and durable component within the fuel system.
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Collector tanks are replenished by main transfer tanks
Collector tanks are an important component of an aircraft's fuel system, and they play a crucial role in ensuring a consistent fuel supply and maintaining the aircraft's centre of gravity during flight.
The main purpose of collector tanks is to receive and store fuel from the main tanks, which can be filled through over-wing filling ports or a single-point pressure refuelling station. The fuel is then transferred from the main tanks to the collector tanks by gravity or scavenger ejectors once the engines are operational. This process ensures that the collector tanks are replenished and can supply fuel towards the engine for combustion.
In the context of the Concorde aircraft, the fuel system includes blue-coloured tanks 5, 6, 7, and 8, which are specifically designated as the main transfer tanks. These main transfer tanks are responsible for replenishing the collector tanks. Among these, tanks 5 and 7 work as a pair, with tank 5 supplying collector tanks 1 and 2, while tank 7 replenishes collector tanks 3 and 4. This symmetrical arrangement ensures that no Centre of Gravity (CG) changes occur during their operation. Once tanks 5 and 7 are empty, tanks 6 and 8 take over their roles, ensuring a continuous supply of fuel to the collector tanks.
Additionally, the Concorde's fuel system incorporates trim transfer tanks, which work in conjunction with the main transfer tanks to optimise the aircraft's centre of gravity for take-off and flight. By redistributing fuel, the trim transfer system can shift the centre of gravity rearward, minimising trim drag during supersonic cruise. This system is typically automated and controlled from the Flight Engineer's Panel, but pilots can override the sequence in abnormal situations requiring rapid fuel transfer.
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Frequently asked questions
Once the engines are running, fuel travels from the main tanks into the collector tanks. From there, either the boost pumps or the main ejectors send fuel from the tanks toward the engine for combustion.
Collector tanks, also known as slosh boxes, are installed inside the fuel cell to trap fuel near the fuel pickup line. This prevents air from entering the fuel system and acts as a solution to fuel starvation.
Collector tanks have check valves that serve as trap doors, keeping fuel contained in the box regardless of the direction in which the vehicle is shifting.
The Radium Engineering In-Tank Fuel Collector Box is a collector tank fabricated from 5052 aluminum, TIG welded, media blasted, and bright dipped anodized for optimal corrosion resistance.
