Mercedes Mullins
Fuel tanks are an essential component of an aircraft's design, and their placement is critical for safety and performance. The wings of an aircraft are a common location for fuel tanks due to their hollow structure, which provides ample space for fuel storage and helps maintain balance during flight. Placing fuel in the wings also reduces stress on the wings by positioning the heaviest weight at the aircraft's centre of gravity. While wing fuel tanks are the most common, some planes also have tanks in the fuselage (body) or empange (tail assembly). Additionally, external conformal tanks are used in military aviation to increase fuel capacity, and bladder tanks are found in aircraft of all sizes.
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What You'll Learn
Fuel tanks are often in the wings
Fuel tanks are often located in the wings of an aircraft. This is because the wings are virtually hollow, providing ample space for fuel storage. The wings' hollow structure also maintains balance during flight. In addition, placing the heavy fuel tanks within the wings reduces stress on the wings by increasing their inertia, making them less susceptible to the effects of turbulent airflow.
The weight of the fuel in the wings also helps to balance the aircraft. As fuel is heavy, weighing around 6 pounds per gallon, placing the majority of this weight inside the wings situates the heaviest weight inside the source of lift for the plane. This reduces the aircraft's overall stress and increases its stability. If the weight of the fuel were placed towards the nose or rear of the plane, it could cause the aircraft to tip.
The wings are also naturally cooled by airflow, reducing the risk of fuel ignition. In contrast, fuselage tanks are closer to sources of heat, which can lead to the formation of flammable vapors. For example, in the case of TWA flight 800, heat from nearby air conditioning equipment caused a fuel tank in the fuselage to ignite.
While the wings are the most common location for fuel storage, some aircraft, such as the A320 family, have options to install additional fuel storage in the aft cargo hold. Additionally, some aircraft carry fuel in the vertical stabilizer.
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This is to save space and reduce pressure on the wings
Aircraft wings are a common location for fuel tanks due to their hollow structure. The wings of an aircraft are virtually hollow, making them a perfect place to store fuel. This saves space and reduces pressure on the wings.
Fuel is heavy, weighing around 6 pounds per gallon. A plane like a Boeing 747 burns about 1 gallon of fuel (about 4 litres) every second, which is over 3,804 gallons of fuel per hour. On a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel. Placing the majority of this weight inside the wings reduces stress on the wings.
The wings are the source of lift for the plane, and placing the heaviest weight there helps maintain balance during flight. Additionally, the wings are generally at the centre of the plane, which keeps most of the weight at the centre of gravity. This helps to stabilise the aircraft. If the weight was placed towards the nose or rear of the plane, it could cause the aircraft to tip up or down.
Placing fuel tanks in the wings also saves space. Creating additional space for fuel elsewhere would make the aircraft larger and heavier. It also makes sense to utilise the existing empty space in the wings, as this space cannot be used for passengers or cargo.
Furthermore, wing tanks are naturally cooled by airflow and are less susceptible to forming explosive vapours compared to fuselage tanks, which are closer to sources of heat. This enhances the safety of the aircraft.
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Fuselage tanks are more susceptible to heat
Fuel tanks are an essential part of an aircraft and can be divided into external and internal tanks. The most common places for fuel tanks are the wings or the fuselage. However, it is crucial to consider the safety implications of the placement of these tanks, especially in the fuselage.
The placement of fuel tanks in the fuselage also impacts fuel fire combustion. Experiments conducted on full-scale aircraft fuselages have shown that the presence of the fuselage can lead to a 30% increase in the burning rate of fuel fires. The radiant heat emitted by the fuselage contributes significantly to the increased combustion rate.
Additionally, the landing and takeoff phases of a flight are the most dangerous in terms of fuel fires. During these critical stages, structural damage to the fuselage can occur, leading to significant fuel leakage from the wings and belly tanks. The combination of fuel leakage and hot engines or other ignition sources can result in catastrophic fuel fires that damage the aircraft's external structure.
To mitigate the risks associated with fuselage fuel tanks, aircraft designers must carefully consider the thermal stability of the fuel and establish maximum temperature thresholds for both the tanks and the aircraft's systems. The Concorde, for example, required a more complex fuel system due to the high temperatures it experienced while cruising at Mach 2.0 at 60,000 feet.
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Fuel tanks can be internal or external
Internal fuel tanks can also be located in the fuselage, or body, of the aircraft. However, this requires pumps to raise the fuel to the engines and is closer to sources of heat, which can cause vapours to form. External fuel tanks include conformal fuel tanks, which are mainly used in military aviation to increase the amount of fuel the aircraft can carry, and drop tanks, which are occasionally found in civilian airplanes.
Integral fuel tanks are formed within the airframe structure, rigid removable fuel tanks are installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank, and bladder tanks are soft and flexible and used on aircraft of all sizes. Fuel tanks can also be classified by their method of construction or intended use.
Modern aircraft have complex fuel systems with multiple tanks in various locations for optimal performance and safety. The fuel system is one of the most important systems in an aircraft.
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Fuel tanks can be integral, rigid removable, bladder or conformal
Fuel tanks are a critical component of aircraft, and their design and placement can significantly impact the plane's performance and range. Fuel tanks can be classified as internal or external, and further categorized based on their construction and intended use. Here are the key types of fuel tanks:
Integral Fuel Tanks
Integral fuel tanks are areas inside the aircraft structure that have been sealed to store fuel. These tanks are formed as a unit inside the airframe, often utilizing the hollow space in the wings or fuselage. Integral tanks are common in larger aircraft, providing structural reinforcement to the airframe. They save space and weight, making efficient use of the wings' empty space. However, they cannot be removed for service and require inspection panels for maintenance.
Rigid Removable Fuel Tanks
Rigid removable tanks are hard-shell containers that can be installed or removed as needed. They are typically found in smaller general aviation aircraft and are placed in designated compartments. These tanks are not relied upon for structural integrity and can be taken out for maintenance or repair.
Bladder Fuel Tanks
Bladder tanks, also known as bag tanks or fuel cells, are flexible containers made of fuel-resistant materials. They are designed to fit into various spaces and cavities within the aircraft. Bladder tanks are used in aircraft of all sizes, especially high-performance light aircraft, helicopters, and smaller turboprop planes. Their soft, flexible nature requires them to remain wet, and they are easy to replace and less prone to leaks.
Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs)
Conformal tanks are additional fuel tanks that fit closely to the aircraft's shape, allowing for increased fuel capacity. They are commonly used in military aviation and can enhance the range of the aircraft. However, conformal tanks cannot be dropped during flight and must be removed when the plane is on the ground.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common place for fuel tanks on a plane is in the wings. This is because the wings are virtually hollow, and placing the heaviest weight inside the source of lift for the plane reduces stress on the wings.
Yes, some planes also have fuel tanks inside the aircraft's body, in the fuselage, or in the empange. The A320 family of aircraft has options to install additional fuel storage in the aft cargo hold. Fuel tanks can also be divided into external and internal tanks, with internal tanks including integral, rigid removable, and bladder tanks, and external tanks including conformal and drop tanks.
The wings are a common location for fuel tanks because they have a lot of empty space. Creating space elsewhere for fuel would make the aircraft larger and heavier. Wing tanks are also naturally cooled by airflow and are less susceptible to forming explosive vapors.
Each tank is equipped with internal fuel pumps, valves, and plumbing to feed the engines, allow for refueling and defueling, and isolate the individual tanks.
