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In-flight and simulated aircraft fuel temperature measurementsFuel tank measurements from ten flights of an L1011 commercial aircraft are reported for the first time. The flights were conducted from 1981 to 1983. A thermocouple rake was installed in an inboard wing tank and another in an outboard tank. During the test periods of either 2 or 5 hr, at altitudes of 10,700 m (35,000 ft) or higher, either the inboard or the outboard tank remained full. Fuel temperature profiles generally developed in the expected manner. The bulk fuel was mixed by natural convection to a nearly uniform temperature, especially in the outboard tank, and a gradient existed at the bottom conduction zone. The data indicated that when full, the upper surface of the inboard tank was wetted and the outboard tank was unwetted. Companion NASA Lewis Research Center tests were conducted in a 0.20 cubic meter (52 gal) tank simulator of the outboard tank, chilled on the top and bottom, and insulated on the sides. Even though the simulator tank had no internal components corresponding to the wing tank, temperatures agreed with the flight measurements for wetted upper surface conditions, but not for unwetted conditions. It was concluded that if boundary conditions are carefully controlled, simulators are a useful way of evaluating actual flight temperatures.
Document ID
19910006105
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Svehla, Roger A.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1990
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
E-5765
NASA-TM-103611
NAS 1.15:103611
Report Number: E-5765
Report Number: NASA-TM-103611
Report Number: NAS 1.15:103611
Accession Number
91N15418
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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