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Fuel Systems
Keeping the Flow
ATA Chapter 28

Dr. Charley Rodriguez

Introduction to Fuel Systems

 In general, aircraft fuel systems
accomplish the following tasks or
incorporate the following features:
  The fuel system stores fuel for use by the
engine(s), APU, combustion heater(s), etc.
  Main tank(s)
  Auxiliary and header tank(s)
  The fuel system has some mechanism(s) for
adding fuel to the tank(s).
  Pressure refueling
  Gravity refueling
  Fuel transfer
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Introduction to Fuel Systems (cont.)

 The fuel system has means for
removing fuel from the tank(s) and
delivering fuel to the engine(s),
APU, combustion heater(s), etc.
 Gravity flow
 Engine-driven pump(s)
 Auxiliary pump(s)
 Electric
 Manual

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Introduction to Fuel Systems (cont.)

  The fuel system has means for draining water
and contaminants from the fuel system.
  The fuel system has some means of taking fuel
samples for inspection.
  The fuel systems has some mechanism for
indicating fuel quantity.
  Mechanical
  Electric
  Sticks
  The fuel system may have means for indicating
fuel pressure and/or flow.
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Introduction to Fuel Systems (cont.)

  The fuel system has means for venting the tank(s)
and other components, as necessary.
  Vents allow air to enter the tank, or inhale, when:
  Fuel is consumed from the tank.
  Fuel is transferred from the tank.
  Temperature within the tank decreases.
  The aircraft descends.
  Vents allow tank vapors to exit the tank, or exhale,
when:
  Fuel enters the tank.
  When the temperature increases.
  When the aircraft ascends.
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Introduction to Fuel Systems (cont.)

  Some fuel systems include provisions for
aerobatic maneuvers.
  Some fuel systems has means of dumping or
jettisoning the fuel from the tanks.
  Fuel systems have a shut-off valve that stops
the flow of fuel on the non-engine side of the
firewall.
  Many fuel systems contain tank selectors.
  Fuel systems include lines, fittings, drains,
valves, check valves, and other components
necessary to accomplish the various operations
of aircraft.
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Introduction to Fuel Systems (cont.)

Crossfeed Valves
  Also known as “manifold valve” and other
names.
  When the aircraft has two power plants, the
crossfeed valve interconnects the two engines
or systems.
  When the aircraft has three or more power
plants, the crossfeed valves ...
  Connect the fuel source (tank) to the fuel
system manifold and
  Connect the power plant to the manifold.
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Introduction to 787 Fuel Systems

Various Systems
 The 787 fuel system is divided
into the following systems:
 Storage
 Venting
 Distribution
 Indication

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787 Fuel Storage

Fuel Tanks
 The 787 fuel system uses three
fuel tanks:
 One main tank in each wing
 A center tank
 In the fuselage
 Inboard wing sections

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787 Fuel Storage

Center Tank
 The center tank vents to each main tank.
 Access to main part of center tank is
through panel on aft spar in right wheel
well.
 Access to the portion of the center tank
that is outboard of the side-of-body
ribs (SOB) is through lower wing access
panels.

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787 Fuel Storage

Fuel Tank Capacities

 Main Tanks (each): 37,138 Lbs; 5,542
Gallons; 48,436 L
 Center Tank: 150,361 Lbs; 22,442
Gallons; 187,287 L
 Totals: 224,637 Lbs; 33,526 Gallons,
284,159 L
 Surge Tanks (each): 1,092 Lbs; 163
Gallons; 1,552 L
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787 Fuel Storage

Main Tanks
 Each main tank has a dry bay
 Main tanks start at rib number 9
 Tank inner access at rib 9
  Main tanks are vented to the
wings, same side
  Surge tanks connected to vent
system and contain overflow
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787 Fuel Storage

Sump Drain Valves

 Each tank has one or more sump
drain valve(s)
 There are a total of 6 sump valves
 The Center Tank has two sump
drain valves
 Each main has one sump drain valve
 Each surge tank has a sump valve
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787 Fuel Storage

Purge Hole Covers
 The purge holes are used to assist
in the removal of fuel vapors
before maintenance access.
 There are two center tank purge
hole covers located on the front
spars.
 They are accessed through the wing
to body fairing panels.
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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Vents
 Fuel tanks vent through vent
scoops contained in access panels.
 Air enters the vent scoop as fuel is
consumed from feeding tank or when
aircraft descends.
 Tank vapors exit tanks during
pressure refueling or when aircraft
ascends on non-feeding tanks.
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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Vents
 The vent systems uses tubes to
connect the fuel tanks to the
surge tanks where vent scoops are
located.
 Vents in center tank is connected to
each wing scoop.
 Vent tubes include drains and float
valve to control any fuel in the vents.
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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Right Center Tank Vent and NGS
  The right center tank vent system includes two
crossflow check valves between the center
tank and right surge tank.
  This decreases the quantity of air that enters
through the right surge tank scoop and enters the
center tank.
  Right center tank vent tube is connected to the
Nitrogen Generation System (NGS).
  If too much air enters tank, adding nitrogen results
in Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA), which dilutes the
tank atmosphere.

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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Surge Tanks
 Surge tanks contain the following:
 Surge tank flame arrestor
 Surge tank pressure relief valve
 Surge tank drain check valves
 Surge tank access panels
 Vent tube
 Vent scoop

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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Surge Tank Flame Arrestor
 Surge tank flame arrestor ensures
that a flame does not come into the
fuel tank through the vent system.
 It’s attached to the vent scoop
 Vent scoop assembly is part of the
surge tank access panel
 During flight, vent scoop develops a mild
positive pressure and applies same to
fuel in tanks.
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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Surge Tank Pressure Relief Valve
 Surge tank Pressure Relief Valve opens if
there is too much pressure differential
between the inside and outside of the
tank.
  The relief valve is attached to an access
panel.
  When valve opens, it protrudes below the
lower surface of the wing.
  Opens with a loud noise and considerable
force.
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787 Fuel Tank Vent System

Surge Tank Drain Check Valves
 Surge tank Drain Check Valves opens
to allow fuel contained in the surge
tanks to drain into the main tanks.
 Surge tank drain check valves open
when the levels in the main tanks fall
below the valve.
 There are 3 drain check valves per
surge tank.
 Why keep fuel in the surge tanks?
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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

 The fuel system stores fuel and
delivers fuel to the engines and APU.
 Additional components and controls in
the system provide rapid fueling and
defueling capabilities.
 The tanks, lines, fittings, and operating
components in the system are
compatible with all fuels meeting the
engine and APU manufacturer’s
specifications.
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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  All fuel is stored within vented areas of the
wings and wing center section.
  The fuel storage area is divided into three
integral fuel tanks: a three-cavity center tank
and two wing tanks (tanks No. 1 and 2).
  All three tanks utilize a sealed-wing structure
to retain the fuel.
  The center tank has a secondary fuel barrier
coating on the outer surfaces of the upper panel
and front spar for additional protection against
fuel leaks into pressurized areas of the airplane.
  For information on the fuel tanks, refer to 28-10-0
and 28-11-0.
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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

 Fuel is loaded on airplane from a ground
source through a fueling receptacle in
the pressure fueling station.
 The tanks can be filled simultaneously
or separately.
 Fuel can also be loaded into tanks No. 1
and 2 through over-the-wing fueling
ports.
  For information on the pressure fueling
system, refer to 28-21-0.
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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  Electric motor-driven boost pumps and fuel lines
deliver fuel from any tank to one or both
engines.
  Electrically operated valves control fuel cross-
feed and engine fuel shutoff.
  Pump and valve controls, along with instruments
and indicating lights for monitoring the system,
are arranged on a system control panel located
on the forward overhead panel.
  For information on the engine fuel feed system,
refer to 28-22-0.

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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  Fuel from boost pumps can also be delivered
through a defueling valve into fueling manifold
for removal from the airplane.
  For information on defueling, refer to 28-23-0.
  Fuel scavenge pumps energize after the center
tank is emptied by boost pumps during defueling
or engine fuel feed.
  The scavenge pumps reduce the quantity of
unusable fuel in the center tank.
  For information on the fuel scavenge system,
refer to 28-15-0.

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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  Fuel quantity indicators, on pilots’
center instrument panel and pressure
fueling station, indicate the quantity of
fuel on the airplane.
  Measuring sticks (drip sticks), installed
on the underside of each tank, can also
be used to determine fuel quantity.
 For information on the fuel quantity
indicating system, refer to 28-41-05.

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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  Fuel feed low pressure indicating lights, on
the forward overhead panel, indicate low
engine boost pump outlet pressure.
 For information on the low pressure indicating
system, refer to 28-42-0.
  A fuel temperature indicator, on the
forward overhead panel, indicates fuel
temperature in tank No. 1.
 For information on the fuel temperature
indicating system, refer to 28-43-0.

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Introduction to Boeing 737-222 Fuel System

  Fuel is delivered to the APU from tank No. 1 either
through an independent fuel inlet or through a
connection to the engine fuel feed system.
  The engine AC boost pumps can be used to
pressurize the APU fuel feed system.
  A check valve in each inlet line prevents reverse
flow through the inactive inlet line.
  An electrically operated shutoff valve, downstream
from the inlet tee, prevents pressurization of the
APU fuel line during APU shutdown.
  For information on the APU fuel feed system, refer to 28-22-0.
  For information on the APU, refer to Chapter 49, Airborne
Auxiliary Power.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Tanks

  All fuel to be used by the engines and the auxiliary
power unit is stored in the main wing and center wing
fuel tanks.
  The main wing tanks (tanks No. 1 and 2) include the
sealed integral wing section between front and rear
spars from the wingtip surge tank inboard to the tank
end rib just inboard and forward of the main landing
gear.
  The center wing tank is located within the airplane
fuselage, between LBBL 70.54, RBBL 70.59 and the
extension of the front and rear wing spar.
 Two beams span between the tank No. 1 and 2 ends thereby
providing three cavities for storing the fuel.
 The three cavities are interconnected at the top and bottom of
the spanwise beams by fuel flow equalizing holes.
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Boeing 737-222 Shroud Drain Line

 A shroud drain line is provided to prevent
an accumulation of fluid from condensation
or leakage in the APU fuel line shroud.
 The drain line contains a flame arrester
and ends at a drain mast located in the left
wing-body fairing.
 A drain valve is provided in the wheel well
to check for, and drain any fluid while on
the ground.
 The drain valve must be closed for flight.

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Boeing 737-222 Surge Tank

 A surge tank located outboard of each wing
fuel tank contains any fuel overflow from
the main tanks and provides tank venting.
 A surge tank drain check valve allows the
fuel overflow to drain back into the center
tank but prevents fuel flow from the
center tank to the surge tank.
 The surge tanks are normally empty and
have a capacity of 30 US gallons each.

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Boeing 737-222 Access Panels

 Identical to 737-300/500 with exception
that the basic (-222) aircraft have only
ten lower wing access panels per wing.
 Aircraft 9001-9075 have a rectangular
access panel just aft of the inboard leading
edge flap for wing tank forward boost
pump access.
 All other 200s forward wing tank pumps
are accessed by lowering the kreuger flaps.

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Boeing 737-222 Over the Wing Fueling

 An over-the-wing fill port is
provided for tanks No. 1 and No. 2
only.
 Each over the wing refueling port
is located on the upper wing
surface.
 The ports allow an alternate way of
fueling the wing tanks if pressure
fueling equipment is not available.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Sump Drains

 Fuel sump drain valves are installed
at the low points of the fuel and
surge tanks for draining
accumulated moisture or for
draining trapped fuel remaining
after defueling.
 A screen over each valve inlet
protects the unit from contaminants
which can block the drain passages.
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Boeing 737-222 Baffle Check Valves

  Baffle check valves are located on the bottom of
wing ribs at three locations.
  The check valves prevent fuel flow in the
outboard direction but allow fuel flow in the
inboard direction.
  Thus the check valves prevent the boost pump
inlets from being uncovered and improve aircraft
stability.
  Each check valve is a free swinging flow actuated
valve.
  Inboard fuel flow opens the valves and outboard
flow forces the valves closed.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent System

  The fuel vent system prevents damage to the
tank structure by providing positive venting of all
fuel tanks, regardless of aircraft attitude.
  During flight, the system also helps to decrease
fuel evaporation and assists the fuel boost pumps
by providing a small positive head pressure on the
fuel.
  The components associated with the tank vent
system are located inside the fuel tanks.
  Vent scoops are located on the bottom skin of
the surge tanks.

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent System

  During flight, impact pressure is applied to the
ram air vent scoop.
  The pressure is then transmitted through the
vent ducts to the expansion space in each tank to
maintain a positive pressure on the fuel.
  Since the expansion space will shift with varying
airplane attitudes, the wing tank vent ducts are
provided with inboard and outboard port openings
to ensure that at least one port will be open to
the expansion space in any normal airplane
attitude.

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent System

  The inboard port is open at all times, and the
outboard port is protected by a float valve, to
prevent fuel from entering the vent system
during certain airplane attitudes, and flowing
overboard.
  Fuel which enters the vent system during rapid
attitude changes, will flow into the vent surge
tank.
  When normal flying attitude is established, the
fuel will flow through a surge tank drain line into
the center tank vent channel and through a check
valve back into the center tank.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent System

 If a fueling shutoff valve fails to close
during pressure fueling the vent lines will
carry the excess fuel overboard, to
prevent over pressurizing the tanks, as
long as the fuel nozzle pressure is not in
excess of 55 psi.
 A wing fence, located on the wing lower
surface inboard of the vent scoop,
prevents fuel spillage from traveling
inboard along the wing either on the
ground or in flight.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent Float Valve

  A fuel vent float valve is used in each fuel tank
to prevent a surge of high level fuel from
entering the vent duct or tubing when flight
attitude is out of level.
  Tank No. 1 and 2 vent float valves are located in
the outboard vent duct of the wing tanks.
  The valves consist of a float mounted on an arm
hinged to a mounting base.
  The mounting base is installed over the vent
port on the lower surface of the sealed vent
duct.

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent Float Valve

  A valve stopper attached to the float arm
incorporates a seal which contacts and seals the
vent port when the valve is closed.
  The valve is held in the normally open position by
the weight of the float and float arm against a
stop attached to the valve mounting base.
  The stop limits the downward travel of the
float.
  As fuel rises in the tank, the float rises closing
the valve aperture.
  When the fuel level recedes, the valve reopens.

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent Float Valve

 The center tank fuel vent float valve
is mounted at a high level in cavity
No. 3 to prevent fuel from entering
the vent tubing.
 The valve is similar in function and
detail to the tank No. 1 and 2 float
valve described above except for the
valve seat and stop details.

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent Scoop

 The fuel vent scoops, located in the
outboard half of the vent surge tanks, are
the overboard vents for the vent system.
 Each scoop consists of a recessed ram air
scoop mounted in a lower wing surface
access panel, and a five inch standpipe
assembly.
 The diverging walls of the standpipe act
as a plenum chamber ensuring that ram air
will be applied to the vent system during
all flight attitudes of the airplane.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Vent Scoop

 A screen is installed at the top of the
standpipe to prevent the entrance of large
insects, birds, or foreign matter.
  The design of the scoop is such that icing
conditions have minimum effect on ram air
pressure

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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Distribution

 Fuel distribution utilizes the
plumbing, valves, and AC fuel
pumps that make up the …
 Pressure fueling system,
 Engine fuel feed system,
 Defuel and Transfer system.

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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

 The pressure fueling system provides a
rapid means of filling the fuel tanks on the
aircraft.
 The pressure fueling system distributes
fuel under pressure from the fueling
station in the right wing to the fuel tanks,
through a system of fueling lines and
valves.
 The fueling rate is 300 gpm at a delivery
pressure of 55 psi.
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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

  The fueling station is equipped with …
 a fueling receptacle,
 a fueling manifold,
 a fueling power control switch,
 three fueling station illumination lights,
 one fueling indicator test switch,
 three fueling shutoff valves,
 fueling line check valves,
 fueling shutoff valve switches,
 fueling quantity indicators and
 indicator lights.
  Each tank is equipped with a float switch to provide
automatic fueling shutoff when a fuel tank becomes full
of fuel.
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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

 The pressure fueling system provides
a rapid means of filling the fuel tanks
on the aircraft.
 The pressure fueling system
distributes fuel under pressure from
the fueling station in the right wing to
the fuel tanks, through a system of
fueling lines and valves. The fueling
rate is 300 gpm at a delivery pressure
of 55 psi.
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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

Volumetric Top-Off Control Unit (If installed)
  Volumetric top-off control units, one for
each fuel tank, prevent the fuel tanks
from being overfilled.
  The units convert the weight signal from
the fuel quantity indicating system tank
units to a volume signal, closing the
shutoff valve when a full fuel tank is
sensed.

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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

 During pressure fueling, with a shutoff valve
switch in the OPEN position and the fuel tank
less than full, the volumetric top-off control
unit energizes the fueling circuit to open the
valve and illuminate the light.
 When the top-off unit senses a full fuel tank,
power is discontinued to the fueling shutoff
valve and the valve open light, to close the
shutoff valve and to extinguish the light. For
additional information pertaining to the
volumetric top-off system, refer to
28-09-100.
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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

 Airplanes with VTO system have a means
to test operation.
 To test the system, place Test toggle
switch in the Test position while fuel is
entering the tanks.
 If properly operating, the fill valves
will close and the blue lights will
extinguish.

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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

Fueling Float Switch
 On airplanes with VTO, each tank float switch is
set to actuate at a slightly higher level than the
volumetric top-off unit.
 Switch actuation grounds the LO-Z lead to the tank
VTO compensator unit, thereby completing the
VTO unit solid-state switching circuit to close the
tank fueling shutoff valve when the tank is full.
 This feature ensures that automatic fueling
shutoff will occur when the tank is full in the event
that the VTO unit does not function normally.

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Boeing 737-222 Pressure Fueling

  On airplanes without VTO, a fueling float switch
only is installed in each tank to prevent fuel tanks
from being overfilled.
  During pressure fueling operations, when the
tanks less than full and with the fueling shutoff
valve switches in the OPEN position, the fueling
shutoff valve control circuit is completed through
the tank float switch to energize the valve
solenoid and open the valve.
  When the float switch senses a full tank, the
fueling shutoff valve circuit is opened,
discontinuing power to the valve solenoid causing
the valve to close.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

 The function of the fuel feed
system is to pump fuel from the
fuel tanks to the engines or APU.
 The system can be used for
transferring fuel from one tank to
the other during ground operations
only.
 It is also used for defueling the
tanks for ground maintenance.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

  The fuel feed system consists of two boost
pumps for each tank, one check valve downstream
of each boost pump, one boost pump removal
valve for each boost pump, a boost pump bypass
valve for each main tank, two engine fuel shutoff
valves one in the line to each engine, and one fuel
crossfeed valve.
  The boost pump removal valve permits removal of
the boost pump without defueling the tank.
  The boost pump bypass valve allows an engine to
continue operation by drawing fuel directly from
a tank in the event both boost pumps are not
operating.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

  The engine fuel shutoff valves are energized
through the fire switches and when closed will
result in an engine shutdown.
  On some airplanes, the engine start levers can
be used to open or close the shutoff valves.
  The fuel crossfeed valve is used to connect
the fuel feed system of one wing to the
system in the other wing.
  The fuel crossfeed valve also permits fuel
transfer, with airplane on the ground, from
one wing tank to the other and permits
defueling the entire fuel system through the
pressure fueling nozzle.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

  Controls and indicators for the fuel feed system
are located on the forward overhead panel and
consists of:
  a boost pump switch for each boost pump;
  a low pressure light for each boost pump to
indicate operating status of the boost pump;
  a position indicating light for each fuel shutoff
valve;
  and a fuel crossfeed valve control switch and
position indicating light.
  The engine fuel shutoff valve is normally open and
with the crossfeed valve closed and the boost
pumps turned on, the low pressure lights will be off
and fuel supplied to the engine fuel control unit.
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3/6/16 Fuel Systems 112

3/6/16 Fuel Systems 113

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Boost Pump Low Pressure Switches
 Low pressure fuel from any boost pump in any of the
tanks will turn on an applicable low pressure light.
 Low pressure from both fuel boost pumps in the same
tank will turn on the applicable low pressure lights and,
in addition, the fuel annunciator light and the master
caution light will illuminate.
  When the master caution light is pressed in, the circuit
is rearmed and the master caution and fuel annunciator
lights are extinguished.
  Pressing the fuel annunciator light will re-illuminate the
master caution and fuel annunciator lights provided the
low pressure condition remains (Ref Chapter 33, Master
Warning and Caution Lights).
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3/6/16 Fuel Systems 115

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Boost Pump Low Pressure Switches
 When the fuel in the center tank is
depleted, the center tank boost pump low
pressure lights are illuminated.
 The low pressure lights for the center
tank boost pumps are extinguished when
the boost pumps are turned off.
 The low pressure lights for the No. 1 or 2
tank boost pumps are illuminated when
low fuel pressure exists or when the
boost pumps are turned off.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 116

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Tank No. 1 and 2 Boost Pump Low
Pressure Switches
 When pump output pressure drops to
5.0 psig, the switch closes to
complete the circuit to energize the
fuel low pressure indicating light.
  When pump output pressure is
increased to 7.0 psig, the switch
opens and the indicating light is
extinguished.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Center Wing Tank Boost Pump Low
Pressure Switches
 When pump output pressure drops to
14 (+ 1) psig, the switch closes to
complete the circuit to energize the
fuel low pressure indicating light.
 When pump output pressure is
increased to 16 psig, the switch
opens and the indicating light is
extinguished.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 118

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

  The portion of the fuel feed system used for the
APU consists of a fuel shutoff valve, a DC boost
pump (if installed), and a relief valve (if installed).
  The APU fuel shutoff valve prevents unwanted
line drainback or pressurization of the APU
system during APU shutdown.
  The DC boost pump is used to ensure a positive
APU fuel inlet pressure during cold start
conditions or after air has entered the APU fuel
feed lines.
  A check valve is installed in each of the two
branch inlet lines, upstream of the shutoff valve,
to prevent backflow in the unpressurized branch.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 119

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

 Two engine fuel shutoff valves mounted on the
wing front spar provide the means of shutting
off the fuel supply to the engines.
 The valve for engine No. 1 is in the left wing, and
the valve for engine No. 2 is in the right wing.
 Each valve is an electric motor-driven slide
shutoff valve with a manual override handle.
 The manual override handle provides a visual
check of the valve position and a manual method
of positioning the valve when the electric motor
is not energized.
 To limit the pressure buildup in the fuel lines, the
valve housing incorporates a thermal relief valve.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

  The valves are operated by 28-volt dc power
and are controlled by the fire handles on the
aft electronics panel.
  On some airplanes the valve is also controlled
by a mechanically operated switch actuated
by the engine start lever on the aisle stand.
  The valve is energized to close whenever the
start lever is in cutoff position.
  Position lights on the overhead panel are
illuminated any time the valve motor is
energized.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 121

3/6/16 Fuel Systems 122

Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Fuel Boost Pumps
 The fuel boost pumps deliver fuel under
pressure from a tank to its respective engine or
through the crossfeed valve to the other
engine.
  Each pump is a centrifugal type pump driven
by an AC motor controlled by a separate switch
on the overhead panel.
 Each pump is isolated from the fuel tank by
being installed in a pump housing within a tank or
on the forward side of the front spar.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

Fuel Boost Pumps
 Fuel enters the pump through a wire mesh screen at the
suction tube inlet then flows through a manually operated
pump removal valve.
 The pump removal valve allows removal of a pump without
draining the tank.
 A portion of the fuel being pumped is circulated through
the pump to act as a lubricant for the bearings and a coolant
for the motor.
 Fuel is discharged from the pump through the boost pump
check valve.
 A small vent valve vents the pump casing to the fuel tank.
 Access to the vent valve is gained by defueling, purging
and entering the applicable fuel tank.
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Boeing 737-222 Fuel Feed System

 The engine fuel feed system will supply
fuel to the engines by a direct tank-to-
engine feed or from any tank to either or
both engines through the crossfeed valve.
 To obtain direct tank-to-engine feed, the
fuel crossfeed valve is closed, the engine
fuel shutoff valves are opened and the
boost pumps are started.
 To obtain a crossfeed, the fuel crossfeed
valve and the engine fuel shutoff valves
are opened.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 130

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✈ Fuel system supplies low pressure fuel to

the two engines and APU.
✈ Fuel is stored in two integral tanks
located in each wing.
✈ As fuel is consumed, fuel flows to center
of airplane courtesy of 3° wing dihedral
into the hoppers.
✈ Refueling of aircraft:
✈ Over-the-wing
✈ Pressure
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✈ Fuel from tanks flow into 190 gallon

hoppers in center of aircraft (BL 0).
✈ Fuel flows through four 1½” flapper
check valves.
✈ Also, fuel ejector pumps (one per
tank), powered by flowing fuel
stream from boost pumps, transfers
fuel from main tank into hoppers.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 133

✈  Hopper tanks include:

✈ Fuel pump manifold
✈ Fuel tank low level sensor
✈ Hydraulic fluid to fuel heat exchanger
✈ Fuel tank temperature bulb, left side
✈ Cross feed shutoff valve, left side
✈ Inter tank shutoff valve, right side
✈ Fuel quantity probes
✈ Suction defueling line in right hopper
✈ Both wings may be defueled when inter tank shutoff valve is
opened.
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✈  Boost Pumps
✈ Two boost pumps, per tank
✈ Main
✈ Alternate
✈ Mounted external of tanks in each wheel well
✈ Pumps are identical
✈ Receive power from different sources
✈ Pressure switch used to provide low pressure
warning
✈ Auto-change feature switches to other
boost pump should selected pump fail
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✈  Each tank supplies fuel to engine on

respective side (left tank to no. 1 engine and
right tank to no. two engine)
✈  Crossflow shutoff valve (crossfeed valve) in
normally in OFF position
✈  Inter tank shutoff valve (interconnects
hopper tanks) normally in OFF position
✈  Fuel shutoff valves for engines controlled
by FIRE Handles (T-Handles)
✈  Drain valves in each engine fuel feed line

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✈  Defueling
✈ Pressure defueling
✈ Suction defueling
✈ Combination defueling
✈  Pressure defueling
✈ Boost pumps sends fuel through drain valves in each
wheel well
✈ Best technique for emptying tanks
✈ Use six drain valves to more thoroughly remove fuel
✈  Suction defueling pulls fuel through refueling
adapter
✈  Combination defueling uses both techniques
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 139

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✈ Gravity Refueling (Over-the-Wing)

✈ Fuel filler cap located on upper skin at RBS
390
✈ Has standpipe filler neck to limit wing to
2,067 or 2,097 gallons, as appropriate
✈ Grounding jack near wing leading edge
✈ Remove gravity fill inboard vent cover on
lower wing at BL 26 (at wing root)
✈ Allows tank vapors to vent during gravity
refueling via standpipe
✈ Ball float valve seats to close vent as tank fills
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✈ Pressure Refueling
✈ Open refueling panel right wing leading edge.
✈ Bond aircraft and fueling supply equipment.
✈ Remove fuel cap and connect refueling nozzle.
✈ Place Precheck Selectors to FUEL position.
✈ Open fueling nozzle and apply pressurized fuel
(35-55 psi).
✈ As fuel enters aircraft, place Precheck selectors to
FLOAT and observe cessation of flow.
✈ Place right hand precheck selector to PRESS and
note fuel may flow while passing through FUEL
position and then stop.
3/6/16 Fuel Systems 148

✈ Pressure Refueling (cont.)

✈ Return right hand precheck selector to FLOAT and
note fuel may flow while passing through Fuel position
and then stop.
✈ Place left hand precheck selector to PRESS and note
fuel may flow while passing through FUEL position and
then stop.
✈ Return left hand precheck selector to FLOAT and
note fuel may flow while passing through Fuel position
and then stop.
✈ Return both precheck selectors to FUEL to allow flow.
✈ Fueling will terminate at full tanks
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