CHAPTER 7 ASHORE SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS Among the more important duties performed in support of aircraft at naval air activities are those involving the handling of aviation fuel. Properly exe- cuted fuel-handling practices are deterrents to person- nel injury, loss of life, and destruction of Government property on the ground and in the air. Personnel (whether military, civil service, or contractor em- ployed) who are involved with these duties should possess a thorough knowledge of the equipment they operate and must follow the procedures associated with each operation. Because of the variety of fuel-handling facilities and the types of fuel-handling equipment in use at air activities ashore, we cannot include in this manual all the pertinent information dealing with fueling facili- ties and equipment. Also, except for preoperational checks on trucks and pits, the ABF on shore duty rarely performs maintenance on the equipment. For this reason, equipment is identified where it would normally go and it’s function is given, but the equip- ment is not broken down into parts. The operating procedures listed are typical for shore activities. Al- ways use the approved operating procedures for each individual activity. ASHORE FUELING EQUIPMENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the equipment used in fueling systems ashore. Ex- plain the “function of equipment used in fuel systems ashore and describe where the equip- ment is located. The following paragraphs provide a general de- scription and the minimum requirements for equip- ment common to all ashore refueling systems, including mobile equipment. These requirements ap- ply to both new and existing equipment. Figure 7-1 illustrates the typical arrangement for ashore systems. FILTER/SEPARATORS The filter/separator is the primary device used at shore stations to keep aviation fuels clean and dry. Filter/separators are designed to remove 98% of all solids and 100% of all water. Each filter/separator is outfitted with the following minimum accessories: Manual water drain valve from the bottom of the water sump. Automatic air eliminator valve. Differential pressure gage with 1-psi gradu- ations to measure the pressure differential across the elements. Pressure relief valve. Diaphragm-operated control valve on the main discharge line with a flow-limiting pilot and a float-operated pilot to close the main valve if the water level in the sump rises above the set point. This is commonly called a “slug valve.” All manual water drains are connected to a portable or permanently installed recovery sys- tem. Pressure relief valves and the air elimina- tor should also be connected to a recovery system. Filter/separators are provided at the following lo- cations: In receiving lines upstream of all tanks from which fuel can be pumped directly to aircraft. In supply piping (downstream) from storage tanks to aircraft refueler truck fill stands. On any discharge (downstream) side of transfer pumps that supply aircraft or refuelers. On any equipment (including mobile and port- able) that directly fuels aircraft. Upstream of the main receiving points for the bulk storage tanks. Filter/separators will reduce receipt of water and sediment into bulk storage tanks and increase the time between tank clean- ings. The installation of a filter/separator is not practical at all receiving points. However, some device for the removal of particulate should be used, depending on the method of delivery and flow rates involved. 7-1