Sylvie Willis
The fuel tank of an aircraft is typically located in its wings, as is the case with the Boeing 747, which has fuel tanks that take up the entire wingspan of the plane. This design improves overall structural efficiency by counter-balancing the wing's lift and the fuselage's weight, and enhances safety by placing the fuel away from the passenger compartment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of fuel tanks | Commonly located in the wings instead of the main body or fuselage of the aircraft |
| Reason for location in wings | Improves overall structural efficiency, counter-balancing the wing's lift and the fuselage's weight, reduces aircraft fuel system complexity, and improves passenger safety by locating fuel away from the passenger compartment |
| Reason for phasing out fuselage fuel tanks | Increased engineering complexity, weight complexity, and safety concerns |
| Aircraft with fuselage fuel tanks | Boeing 747 and Concorde |
| Fuel tank size | Large enough to hold fuel that is burnt at a rate of approximately 4L (0.9 gallons) per second while in flight |
| Temporary fuel tanks | Installed in the space where seats normally are to enable short-haul jets to travel longer distances |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel tanks in the wings improve structural efficiency
Fuel tanks in the wings of a Boeing aircraft, such as the Boeing 747, offer several advantages that improve the plane's structural efficiency, performance, stability, and safety. Firstly, the wings are among the strongest parts of an aircraft, designed to withstand significant forces during flight, including turbulence and high-speed airflow. By placing the fuel tanks in the wings, the weight of the fuel is distributed to the strongest structural components of the plane, reducing the structural load on other parts of the aircraft. This weight distribution also improves the overall balance of the aircraft, ensuring a stable center of gravity, which is crucial for maintaining stable flight and reducing the chances of imbalance during flight.
Additionally, the wings are naturally streamlined, and by placing the fuel tanks within them, the aircraft's overall design remains more aerodynamic. This improved aerodynamics reduces drag, allowing the plane to fly more smoothly and efficiently, saving fuel and optimising the flight's operational excellence. The weight of the fuel in the wings also counterbalances the weight of the engines and other fuselage components, further enhancing the aircraft's aerodynamics and performance.
The use of wing fuel tanks also eliminates the need for bulky fuel tanks elsewhere in the aircraft, freeing up space in the fuselage for seating and storage. This makes the plane lighter and more fuel-efficient, as there is no need for additional structural reinforcements inside the fuselage. Furthermore, filling the wing fuel tanks first and using them last is critical for ensuring safety, efficiency, and performance during flight. This strategic use of fuel from the wings influences the aircraft's overall weight distribution, fuel efficiency, and performance, reducing the risk of wing flutter induced by fuel weight.
In conclusion, placing fuel tanks in the wings of a Boeing aircraft provides numerous benefits that improve the structural efficiency of the plane. The wings' strength, natural aerodynamics, and weight distribution capabilities make them ideal for housing fuel tanks, resulting in enhanced performance, stability, and safety during flight.
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Older aircraft used fuselage fuel tanks
The use of fuselage fuel tanks is an older design that is being phased out of passenger and cargo use due to increased safety standards. Older aircraft used rigid tanks constructed from various materials such as aluminium alloy, stainless steel, or a thin sheet steel coated with a lead/tin alloy called terneplate. These tanks are riveted or welded together and strapped into the airframe structure.
The Boeing 747 and Concorde are two primary examples of aircraft that use fuselage fuel tanks. Both aircraft use fuel to maintain the desired centre of gravity during flight. The Concorde uses forward and aft "Trim Tanks" to manage CG location as the centre of pressure shifts during supersonic flight.
However, there are several disadvantages to using fuselage tanks. Firstly, they would require complex and heavy baffling to avoid CG changes due to pitch changes and acceleration. Secondly, fuselage tanks would impact the overall shape and size of the aircraft body, increasing weight and drag.
As aircraft design transitioned from wood and fabric structures to metal structures, locating fuel in the aircraft's wings became the preferred method for fuel storage. Wing-based fuel tanks improve overall structural efficiency by counter-balancing the wing's lift and the fuselage's weight, and they also improve passenger safety by locating fuel away from the passenger compartment.
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The Concorde used forward and aft trim tanks
The Concorde used both forward and aft trim tanks as part of its fuel system. The Concorde's fuel system was designed to ensure aerodynamic stability, particularly at supersonic speeds. As the Concorde reached supersonic speeds, its aerodynamic centre of lift shifted backward, pushing the nose of the aircraft downward. To maintain balance, fuel was pumped backward into the trim tanks, which helped to shift the aircraft's centre of gravity rearward. This rearward shift of the centre of gravity was critical for the Concorde's stability during supersonic flight.
The forward trim tanks played a crucial role in achieving this stability. Before takeoff, the flight engineer would initiate the transfer of fuel from the forward trim tanks to the aft trim and collection tanks. This process continued during acceleration through Mach 1 and up to Mach 2, resulting in a shift of the centre of gravity by approximately 6 feet (2 meters). The forward trim tanks, located ahead of the centre of gravity, helped compensate for the Concorde's high climb rate and ensured that the aircraft remained balanced during its ascent.
The aft trim tank, also known as Tank Number 11, had four pumps, two of which were powered by hydraulic systems, providing forward transfer capability using electric or hydraulic power. The trim transfer system, controlled from the Flight Engineer's Panel, redistributed fuel between the trim tanks and the main transfer tanks to optimise the aircraft's centre of gravity for take-off, subsonic, and supersonic flight. During supersonic flight, the centre of gravity movement was a critical task, and the fuel system played an integral role in managing this.
The trim tanks on the Concorde were not solely for trim purposes; the fuel within them served multiple functions. It was used to cool essential systems, including engine oil, generator drive oil, hydraulic oil, and the air conditioning supply. This multitasking capability ensured the efficient utilisation of fuel aboard the Concorde.
The Concorde's fuel system, with its forward and aft trim tanks, was a key factor in the aircraft's ability to maintain stability and optimise performance during its supersonic flights. The redistribution of fuel within these tanks allowed the Concorde to adjust its centre of gravity, ensuring a seamless and controlled flight experience.
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Boeing 747 fuel tanks span the entire wings
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner that is among the most recognisable planes in the world. One of its most notable features is its expansive fuel tank system, which spans the entire wingspan. This allows the aircraft to carry a significant amount of fuel, enabling it to undertake long-haul flights efficiently.
The 747's fuel tanks are not limited to a single, centralised location but are instead distributed across multiple sections within the wings. This design decision is intentional, as it enhances the stability and balance of the aircraft during flight. By having multiple tanks, pilots can strategically manage fuel distribution, ensuring the plane remains properly trimmed and balanced during different phases of flight.
The fuel tanks' placement within the wings also contributes to the 747's aerodynamic efficiency. By utilising the wings' structure, Boeing engineers were able to maximise fuel storage capacity without significantly increasing drag or compromising the aircraft's overall performance. This design philosophy is common among commercial airliners, where efficient fuel usage and long-range capabilities are crucial.
The Boeing 747's fuel system includes both main and reserve tanks. The main tanks, located within the wings, provide the majority of the aircraft's fuel supply during flight. Meanwhile, the reserve tanks, also positioned within the wings, serve as a backup fuel source, ensuring the plane has sufficient fuel to reach its destination safely in various scenarios.
The size and configuration of the fuel tanks in the Boeing 747 showcase the engineering innovations that have shaped long-haul aviation. By optimising fuel storage and utilisation, the 747 has set standards for intercontinental travel, connecting people and businesses across vast distances. The aircraft's fuel efficiency and range capabilities have contributed to its enduring legacy in the aviation industry.
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Tip tanks increase the bending strength of a wing
The fuel tanks in a Boeing 747 are so large that they take up the entire wing span of the plane. The Boeing 747 burns approximately 4L (0.9 gallons) of fuel every second while in flight.
Tip tanks, also known as wingtip tanks, are fuel storage units placed at the ends of an aircraft's wings. They are often employed when the wings are too thin or otherwise inadequate for "wet wing" fuel storage. While tip tanks increase the structural strength of a wing, they also have aerodynamic implications.
Tip tanks enhance the bending strength of a wing by adding mass at the wingtips. This additional weight counteracts the upward bending forces experienced by the wings during flight, reducing the amount of bending moment. The weight of the tip tanks pulls down on the wings, particularly when they are full, lessening the compression on the top of the wing and the tension on the bottom. This weight distribution allows for a lighter root structure, potentially saving more weight than the strengthening of the tip adds.
However, the added mass at the wingtips can also decrease the roll rate and require minor structural reinforcements to handle the local bending. Additionally, the fuel supply being far away from the pilot can be considered a disadvantage in certain situations, such as during landing.
Wingtip devices, including tip tanks, are designed to improve the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft by reducing drag. Raked wingtips, for example, are featured on some Boeing Commercial Airplanes to improve fuel efficiency, takeoff, and climb performance. They increase the effective wing aspect ratio and reduce wingtip vortices, thereby decreasing lift-induced drag.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tanks in a Boeing plane are commonly located in the wings.
There are structural and safety reasons for this design choice. Locating the fuel tanks in the wings improves overall structural efficiency by counter-balancing the wing's lift and the fuselage's weight. This also reduces aircraft fuel system complexity and improves passenger safety by locating fuel away from the passenger compartment.
Yes, older aircraft designs, such as the Boeing 747 and the Concorde, feature fuselage fuel tanks. However, these designs are being phased out due to increased engineering complexity and safety concerns.
Wing fuel tanks allow for a lighter and thinner wing structure while achieving the same resulting wing strength. This design enables aircraft to bear higher weights and take off with higher weights.
The Boeing 747 burns approximately 4 litres or 0.9 gallons of fuel every second while in flight.
