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Minimising the consequences of leaks in buried aviation fuel lines
TraceTek sensing cables will detect and precisely locate leaks in hydrant fuelling systems.
INDUSTRY FOCUS : International airports
The Risk
Airports are increasingly adopting hydrant fuelling systems with underground fuel lines passing beneath the thick concrete surface of airport runways, taxiways and aircraft aprons. Should a fuel line develop a leak, however, there are considerable environmental, safety and repair-cost implications. Many airports and fuel transporters are relying on expensive systems to detect a leak but without the capability of providing a precise location. If testing is only carried out periodically it may be weeks before a leak is detected by which time finding the source will involve major excavations.
It is therefore vital that any leakage of aviation fuel be detected quickly, engineers alerted and the source precisely located to avoid the need to undertake extensive, expensive and disruptive search excavations before remedial action can be effected.
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The Solution
Tyco Thermal Controls developed the optimum solution with its cable-based TraceTek leak detection system. The TT5000 sensing cable contains a hydrocarbon scavenging material and is designed for installation in PVC conduit within the backfill when the fuel pipes are laid down. Here it provides continuous monitoring and will react to any trace of fuel. Should a hydrocarbon leak occur, the liquid fuel is drawn into the conduit by capillary action and detected by the cable. This triggers an alert via the TraceTek monitoring system which will pinpoint the location of the leak to within +/- 1metre. Pull boxes (access holes) and connectors allow the system to be inspected in small sections.
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Application
For security reasons airports are naturally reluctant to publicise details of their specific fuel delivery systems. However, the wisdom of installing TraceTek leak detection systems has been recognised by a number of major International airports which have already laid them down with the pipelines when constructing new hydrant fuelling systems.
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