Content area
Full text
Jet fuel pipelines and bulk storage tanks require special operating and maintenance considerations. Jet fuels, specifically Jet A-I and JP-S, are kerosene-type fuels used to power aircraft engines. These fuels are subject to stringent quality requirements necessitating special equipment and engineering. Along the distribution chain, from the refinery to the airport, jet fuels are stored in bulk oil storage terminals and transported via pipelines, marine vessels and road tankers. It should be ensured that the fuel quality has not deteriorated to unacceptable levels along the distribution chain. Jet fuels have a flash point of 38°C and are combustible liquids. Measures to mitigate fire hazards should be in place for safe storage and handling.
Dedicated carbon steel pipelines are used to transport jet fuels to airport depots. In addition to their external coating and cathodic protection systems, the fuel pipelines have an internal coating applied to mitigate corrosion and fuel contamination. The pipelines should be piggable so that the capability for periodic cleaning and inspection is ensured. Pigs should be designed so as to not damage the internal coating.
Flow rate in pipelines is limited on the lower side by the self scouring velocity, typically 1 .5 to 2 m/s and on the higher side by erosional velocity, typically 4 m/s or static electricity consideration which is 3 m/s.
Horizontal centrifugal pumps are used to provide the source pressure for pipeline transport. At terminals, jet fuels are passed through micronic filters to remove particulate matter and filter/separator systems to remove free water. If the pressure rating of the piping system and components...