Determination of available sites for fuel hydrant pits in designing apron refueling pipeline system

Apron refueling pipeline system is one of the most important facilities for aircraft refueling. Scientific, economic and practical planning and operation management of fuel hydrant pits may directly determine safety and efficiency of the refueling system. This paper reviews relevant design specifications and safety guidelines for deploying fuel hydrant pits. With consideration to the structural characteristics of the latest low hydrant dispensers, the stretched involutes of hydrant dispenser pit hose are determined, together with available sites for distribution of fuel hydrant pits. Moreover, available sites for fuel hydrant pits are discussed for single aircraft type stand and multi-types stand by CAD design method. Considering labor intensity of operators and convenience of site location, aircrafts that may share fuel hydrant pits and those requiring independent pits are speculated individually based on aircrafts' configuration parameters. In addition, methods and quantitative model for determination of available sites for fuel hydrant pits are clarified. Relevant results may provide solid foundation for distribution of fuel hydrant pits in new and expanded aprons, and for optimal design of CAD system.