The purpose of this technical bulletin is to highlight common problems with dual fuel tanks and the effect of both static and dynamic fluid head on the operation of the quick-fill system.

Figure 1 below depicts the effect of dynamic head loss between 2 fuel tanks, linked by pipe or flexible hose. The magnitude of the loss is a factor of the length of pipe, the number and nature of fittings within that length, the flow-rate, and the internal diameter of the pipe. The greater the amount of dynamic head loss, the greater the differential between fluid level and internal pressure of each tank. Unlike static head, dynamic head \u0096 as the term suggests \u0096 occurs only when fluid is moving.

The difference in fluid level i.e. static head, between each tank is proportional to the amount of dynamic head loss between the tanks. The greater the loss, the greater the liquid level disparity.

1. Reduced ullage gap in near-side tank during filling creating reduced ullage gap in both tanks once fluid levels have equalised at the completion of refuelling

3. Elimination of ullage gap in near-side tank during refuelling, creating risk of rapid pressurisation of tank and exhausting of fuel from vent emergency relief valve.

4. Risk of nozzle shut-off prior to far-side tank vent closing at tank full condition, and subsequent insufficient fuel quantity being added at completion of refuelling

4. Ensure any valves contained within the pipework are maintained in the fully open position. Be aware of the inherently high dynamic head loss created by such fittings as check valves and some flow control valves

The quick-fill vent may be removed from the near-side tank, and replaced with a venting pipe linking the top regions of both tanks (see Figure 1b) thus eliminating spillage from the near-side tank. This can only be achieved provided the dynamic head loss is minimised between both tanks and there is no way which the two tanks can be hydraulically isolated from each other, thus preventing the over- pressurisation of the near-side tank.

Figures 2 and 3 below depict the effect of static head with dual tanks. The magnitude of static head is a factor of the difference in height that exists between 2 points. Both applications shown require additional modifications outside those normally associated with quick-fill equipment, notably the vent pipe linking the ullage regions of both tanks and the absence of a quick-fill vent on the lower tank.

The situation shown in Figure 2 occurs when positive static head exists between the near-side (lower) and far-side (upper) tanks. A vent pipe must be installed linking the top of the lower tank to the ullage gap in the upper tank. Neglecting dynamic losses in the pipework linking both tanks, the pressure in the lower tank will be greater than that contained in the upper tank - the difference being equal to the static head between each tank.

Figure 3 occurs when negative static head exists between the near-side (upper) and far-side (lower) tanks. As in Figure 2, a vent pipe must be installed linking the top of the lower tank with the ullage gap in the upper tank. Again, neglecting dynamic losses in the pipework linking both tanks, the pressure in the lower tank will be greater than that contained in the upper tank - the difference being equal to the static head between each tank.