Regan Brown
Fuel tanks are an essential part of an aircraft. They can be divided into external and internal tanks. The most common place for an aircraft's fuel tank is in the wings, which is a perfect place to store fuel as it adds practically zero structural load for the wings. This is because the weight of the fuel is very close to, or on, the centre of lift. This dramatically reduces the shift of the centre of gravity during flight and improves the overall structural efficiency of the aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of fuel tanks | Internal (integral tanks, rigid removable fuel tanks, bladder tanks) and External (conformal fuel tanks and drop tanks) |
| Location of fuel tanks | Aircraft wings, belly of the aircraft, rear, fuselage |
| Advantages of wing fuel tanks | Improves overall structural efficiency, reduces aircraft fuel system complexity, improves passenger safety |
| Integral fuel tanks | Can be located anywhere on the aircraft, most commonly in the wings or fuselage |
| Rigid removable fuel tanks | Installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank, usually made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel |
| Bladder tanks | Similar to rigid tanks but do not require a large opening in the aircraft skin to install |
| Drop tanks | Used in civilian airplanes and are expendable |
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What You'll Learn
- Fuel tanks are commonly located in the wings, not the fuselage
- This improves structural efficiency and counterbalances lift and weight
- Tanks can be integral, rigid removable, bladder or drop tanks
- Integral tanks are created from a structural perspective first
- Tip tanks can hold large quantities of fuel at the end of the wing
Fuel tanks are commonly located in the wings, not the fuselage
The wings of an aircraft are a common location for fuel tanks. This is due to several factors, including structural and safety considerations. Firstly, the wings are hollow and voluminous, providing the necessary space to store fuel. This design also contributes to the aircraft's structural rigidity and ability to carry flight loads. By placing fuel tanks in the wings, the fuel mass is positioned close to or directly on the centre of lift, reducing the size and weight of the tailplane required for stable flight.
Additionally, wing fuel tanks improve overall structural efficiency by counterbalancing the wing's lift and the fuselage's weight. This distribution of weight reduces the structural load on the wings during flight, which is a critical consideration for aircraft designers. Placing fuel tanks in the fuselage, on the other hand, would add significant stress to the wings when the aircraft is airborne, ultimately reducing its practical cargo capacity.
Another advantage of wing fuel tanks is their ability to simplify the fuel supply system. By minimising the complexity of the tank design and associated pumps and plumbing, wing fuel tanks enhance the overall efficiency of the aircraft's fuel system. Furthermore, wing fuel tanks provide a safety benefit by isolating passengers from the fire and fume hazards associated with jet and aviation fuel.
While the wings are the most common location for fuel tanks in commercial aircraft, it is important to note that fuel tanks can also be found in other locations, such as the belly or rear of the aircraft. Additionally, some aircraft may have rigid removable fuel tanks or bladder tanks located within the fuselage. However, the integration of fuel tanks within the wing structure remains a prevalent design choice due to its structural, safety, and efficiency benefits.
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This improves structural efficiency and counterbalances lift and weight
The placement of fuel tanks in the wings of commercial airplanes is a result of careful consideration of structural efficiency, counterbalancing lift and weight, and safety. Firstly, locating the fuel tanks in the wings improves structural efficiency by minimising the complexity of the fuel tank design and the associated pumps and plumbing. This simplicity enhances the overall functionality of the fuel supply system.
Secondly, the placement of fuel tanks in the wings serves a critical purpose in counterbalancing the lift generated by the wings and the weight of the fuselage. During flight, the lift force is focused on the wings, while the fuselage contributes to the overall weight. By positioning the fuel tanks in the wings, the weight is distributed more evenly, reducing the structural load on the wings. This distribution of weight improves the aircraft's stability and manoeuvrability, making it more responsive to flight control inputs.
Additionally, the wing structure itself plays a role in this counterbalancing act. The wings are designed to be hollow and voluminous, providing the necessary space to store fuel while also contributing to structural rigidity. This design feature helps the wings withstand the forces encountered during flight, such as lift, drag, and turbulence. The hollow structure also reduces the overall weight of the wings, further optimising the aircraft's performance.
Moreover, the placement of fuel tanks in the wings enhances safety by isolating passengers from the fire and fume hazards associated with jet fuel. In the unfortunate event of a fuel leak or fire, having the fuel tanks located away from the passenger compartment provides an additional layer of protection for the passengers and crew. This design consideration reflects the priority given to passenger safety in the engineering of commercial aircraft.
Overall, the placement of fuel tanks in the wings of commercial airplanes is a well-thought-out decision that improves structural efficiency, counterbalances lift and weight, and enhances safety. This design choice allows for optimal performance, stability, and passenger protection during flight operations.
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Tanks can be integral, rigid removable, bladder or drop tanks
Fuel tanks are an essential component of aircraft, and they can be classified as either external or internal. Internal tanks include integral tanks, rigid removable fuel tanks, and bladder tanks, while external tanks include conformal and drop tanks.
Integral tanks are created from a structural perspective first and as a fuel tank second. The skin of the wing is connected to the internal structure of the wing, and the joints are sealed to prevent fuel leakage. When entering and conducting maintenance on an integral fuel tank, all fuel must be drained from the tank, and severe safety procedures must be followed. Integral fuel tanks can be located anywhere on the aircraft, but they are commonly formed within the structure of the wings or fuselage.
Rigid removable fuel tanks are typically installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank. These tanks are usually made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel components welded together and are carried by the airframe. The tank must be smaller than the tank compartment to fit inside, and it is held in place with a quilted strap arrangement to prevent shifting in flight. Removable tanks are practical for repairs and allow for easy replacement when necessary.
Bladder tanks are similar to rigid tanks but are made of reinforced flexible materials, such as synthetic rubber or isophthalic polyester resin composite. They do not require large cuts into aircraft structures for installation, making them a more accessible option for fuel storage.
Drop tanks, also known as external tanks, wing tanks, or belly tanks, are auxiliary fuel tanks carried externally by aircraft. They are commonly used in military aviation and occasionally found in civilian airplanes. Drop tanks are designed to be discarded when empty or in emergencies to reduce drag, weight, and increase maneuverability. The primary disadvantage of drop tanks is the drag penalty they impose on the aircraft, reducing the roll rate for air maneuvers.
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Integral tanks are created from a structural perspective first
The most common places to form integral fuel tanks are the wings or fuselage, which are sealed with a fuel-resistant two-part sealant. Wing structures are hollow and voluminous, providing the structural rigidity needed to carry flight loads and the space required to store fuel. This placement also reduces the stress on the wings during takeoff and flight by placing the heavy fuel directly inside the source of lift.
On aircraft that do not have automatic fuel management systems, engine fuel feed must be manually selected. Care must be taken to alternate the feed from both tanks periodically to prevent a lateral imbalance and fuel starvation of the engine. This is particularly important in low-wing light single-engine aircraft like the Piper PA-28 or Cirrus SR-2X.
In addition to integral tanks, there are also rigid removable fuel tanks, bladder tanks, and external conformal and drop tanks. Rigid removable tanks are typically made of metal, aluminium alloy, plastic, or fibreglass construction and are installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank. They are carried by the airframe and held in place with a quilted strap arrangement. Bladder tanks, on the other hand, are reinforced rubberised bags installed in a section of the aircraft structure designed to accommodate fuel. They are commonly used in high-performance light aircraft, helicopters, and some smaller turboprop aircraft.
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Tip tanks can hold large quantities of fuel at the end of the wing
The wings of an aircraft are often the most common location for fuel tanks. This is because the wings are hollow and voluminous, providing the space needed to store fuel. Placing fuel tanks in the wings also has the benefit of reducing the structural load on the wings. This is because the weight of the fuel is evenly distributed across the wings, which are responsible for generating lift.
Additionally, placing fuel tanks in the wings improves the overall structural efficiency of the aircraft by counterbalancing the lift generated by the wings and the weight of the fuselage. This design also helps to simplify the aircraft's fuel system, minimizing the complexity of fuel tank designs and the associated pumps and plumbing.
Furthermore, wing fuel tanks enhance passenger safety by isolating the passenger compartment from the fire and fume hazards associated with jet and aviation fuel. The use of wing fuel tanks also allows for the utilization of lighter and thinner spars, improving the overall strength of the aircraft's wings.
One specific type of wing fuel tank is the tip tank, which can hold large quantities of fuel at the end of the wing. Tip tanks enable the aircraft's structure to bear higher weights than would otherwise be possible. In some cases, tip tanks even allow for higher takeoff weights when filled with fuel compared to when they are empty. However, it is important to note that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ceased approving tip tank installations due to concerns related to stability and control.
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Frequently asked questions
Commercial airplanes have multiple tanks in various locations, including the wings, belly, rear, and fuselage.
Wing fuel tanks minimize the complexity of fuel tank designs and associated pumps and plumbing. They also isolate passengers from fire and fume hazards associated with jet and aviation fuel. Additionally, placing fuel tanks in the wings reduces the structural load on the wings during flight.
Integral fuel tanks are created from a structural perspective first and as fuel tanks second. They are formed inside the airframe structure, with the skin of the wing connected to its internal structure. The joints are sealed to prevent fuel leakage.
Rigid removable fuel tanks are installed in a compartment designed to hold the tank. They are typically made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel components welded together and held in place with a quilted strap arrangement.
Drop tanks are auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by airplanes. They are expendable and usually used first before shifting to the internal tanks. They were designed to be discarded when empty or in emergencies to reduce drag and increase maneuverability.
