Letter to the Editor

摘要

Dear MadamOn reading the article entitled 'Representing the global aviation fuel industry' by Andrew Chubb in the October 2011 issue, I note that he identifies 'hot engines and brakes' as 'potential sources of ignition' in aircraft fuelling. The factor requiring closest attention in the filling of aircraft tanks to eliminate ignition sources has surely been omitted - static electricity.There are two ways in which this can be addressed. One is by avoidance of splashing during filling. The movement of one layer of liquid over another resulting from splashing removes electrons and creates charge; so, to prevent splashing is to reduce the likelihood of such an electrostatic effect. The other measure is use of a conductivity improver for the fuel. In raising its electrical conductivity such an 'improver' enables the fuel to conduct any charge created to the tank wall which will be earthed, so that build-up of charge sufficient to create an ignition source is avoided. There are a number of such conductivity improvers available and their use is routine.