Part 1 overview of the current range of mobile hydrant dispensers

1. General information

Hydrant dispenser is designed for refueling with filtered aviation fuel almost all types of aircraft through two hoses with the help of airport fuel hydrant system. The hydrant dispenser (or cart) is traditionally a self propelled vehicle which is driven on to the aircraft parking apron (or ramp) area and connected by hoses to the fuel hydrant at a hydrant pit valve in the ground and to the aircraft fuel intake coupling. Hydrant Dispensers or Hydrant Servicers are designed for airports equipped with Hydrant Systems (underground pipelines). They do not carry fuel capacity on board but are connected between the airport hydrant pit system and the aircraft to perform the refuelling operation. These vehicles are mostly designed for large commercial airports as they offer high flow rates up to 4.000 L/min (1.000 USG/min).

A typical Dispenser has an elevating scissor lift platform, two underwing platform-deck hoses supported by hydraulic boom, plus single or dual rear hose-reels, also for underwing refuelling. The hydrant coupler and input hose hook onto a hose-lifting hoop which is raised with the vehicle’s hydraulic stabilisers. Pneumatic systems are supplied by hydraulicccally powered air compressor.

Safety features include fueling components interlocked to the Vehicle Immobilisation System, electric Deadman handles, Emergency Interlock Over-ride, Emergency Stop / Fuel Shutdown buttons and Platform Wand / Emergency Engine Stops. Many more safety and efficiency-improving functions are also standard.

Dispensers provide:

• fuel purification from mechanical impurities, cleaning of the fuel from the free water;

• accounting of the fuel by volume and / or weight;

• fuel quality control;

• AWC-additive is dosed.

2. Mobile hydrant dispensers prototypes

As the first prototype of hydrant dispenser, the vehicle of model DISPENSER ARU 2500-3 (Fig.1.1), its functions and specification are considered.

Fig.1.1. The dispenser of aru 2500-3 type.

The dispenser ARU 2500-3 with lifting plate is installed on a MAN chassis and is used for underwing refuelling of aircrafts.

Fuel is supplied by the hydrant system of the airfield.

Basically, the dispenser ARU 2500-3 consists of:

• inlet coupler (inline control);

• connection system: Pantograph with inlet hose on wheels, radius approx. 16 m;

• filter water separator;

• anti-Icing-dosing system;

• air pressure gauge inlet pressure;

• 2 delivery lines with mechanical meter (2 long hoses, DN63, 30 m);

• lifting plate (2 delivery lines, DN63, 3 m);

• ball valve 4-inch of light alloy;

• sloptank with automatic drain function.

• obstacle detection sensor;

The values of main parameters and technical specification of ARU 2500-3 hydrant dispenser are given in the Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

Technical specifications of aru 2500-3 hydrant dispenser

Parameters	Values
General refueling medium	Kerosene, free of solids, non corrosive
Viscosity	1cSt to max. 8cSt
Temperature range	-32 to +50°C
Rated pressure	10 bar
Delivery rate	2 x 1250 litre/min (long hose)
Delivery pressure of the hydrant system	12 bar
Power supply	24 V DC from vehicle battery
Max. lift	approx. 3,2 m from ground
Dimensions	H=2680, L=7020, D=2810 mm
Weight	6550 kg
Permissible weight	7490 kg

The second prototype of hydrant dispenser is the vehicle of model CF5061GXJYNKR (Fig.1.2). Its functions and specification are also considered.