Fueling speed
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Fueling speed
While waiting for a plane to be refueled, I've often wondered how long it's going to take. While this certainly depends on the fuel quantity added, it also depends on the flow rate (product of the hose size and pump speed). My guess is that for commercial jets, the hose is somewhere between 4 and 6 inches in diameter. Can anyone fill in the other particulars?
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Normally fuel trucks deliver around 1000 liters x minute. I think they can do better when refueling larger airplanes that needs big amounts, but not that much, because the nozzles are all the same.
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For us, flying the atr72-200, complete fueling can be done in about 16 minutes, given the total tank capacity of 5000 kg (6400L)
With a max refueling pressure, it fueles around 400L/min
With a max refueling pressure, it fueles around 400L/min
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refueling rate
I remember the rate of fueling on B747-400 was about 2,000 lts/min from a refueling truck, so both sides 4,000lts / min initially when all refuelling valves are open, as tanks are filled the rate goes down as valves close, till the last tank to be filled the refueling rate is very low.
from SIN to LHR needed lots of fuel and a transit time of 70 minutes
pumping fuel for over 50 minutes and the need to check paper work, calculations, or check a tank is full by MLFI stick usually got a delayed departure.
had to make sure the refuelling tankers were there waiting and up to speed so as soon as aircraft stopped they would rush forward connect up hoses and pump fuel. not a slick as as a F1 pit stop but then there were not dozens of operaters.
fuel uplifts were 200000lts
from SIN to LHR needed lots of fuel and a transit time of 70 minutes
pumping fuel for over 50 minutes and the need to check paper work, calculations, or check a tank is full by MLFI stick usually got a delayed departure.
had to make sure the refuelling tankers were there waiting and up to speed so as soon as aircraft stopped they would rush forward connect up hoses and pump fuel. not a slick as as a F1 pit stop but then there were not dozens of operaters.
fuel uplifts were 200000lts
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US units
At SFO, the fueling units at the International Terminal will pump anywhere from 600 to 900 gallons/minute through a 4 inch hose at a maximum nozzle pressure of 50 psi into a 777. Typically, you will average about 750 with all the valves open, and taper off to about 300 as the valves close. YMMV
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Most systems are set for 40 psi most aircraft have safety devices set for 50psi, that being said a busy fuel company may push their luck. I think the standard hose size is about 4" in diameter, larger aircraft usually have a 2nd point to hook up at. There are many variables
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Thanks for the information. I guess another variable is whether the fuel is coming from a truck or an in-ground system. Given that trucks may only hold about 30,000 liters, several could be required with associated connect/disconnect time to fulfill (pun intended) the job. 
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When known delayed departure will badly impact on the remaining schedule, perhaps even requiring a crew change, fuelling time can be adjusted. During delayed departures, consider tankering fuel to reduce or eliminate refuelling time at airfields where faster turnarounds are know to be possible.
In addition to actual refuelling time, sometimes there can be a delay waiting for the refuelling equipment to arrive.
Even a small amount of avoidable turnaround time can have an adverse affect. Missing a departure slot could result in serious further delay. Then it will be too late to wish you had tankered.
Where company policy permits, intelligent refuelling could help pick up lost time. Even being 5 minutes early during previous sectors could make a difference when things go pear shaped at the end of the day.
Bean counters who think their business is money will not like avoidable tankering. Those who understand their business is efficiency will understand that time is a bankable item.
In addition to actual refuelling time, sometimes there can be a delay waiting for the refuelling equipment to arrive.
Even a small amount of avoidable turnaround time can have an adverse affect. Missing a departure slot could result in serious further delay. Then it will be too late to wish you had tankered.
Where company policy permits, intelligent refuelling could help pick up lost time. Even being 5 minutes early during previous sectors could make a difference when things go pear shaped at the end of the day.
Bean counters who think their business is money will not like avoidable tankering. Those who understand their business is efficiency will understand that time is a bankable item.
