HyFli - Hydrant Fuel System In-line Aviation Fuel Quality Monitor/Analyzer for Flushing Operational Efficiency

The Air Force currently conducts fuel system flushing operations on a monthly basis to remove unwanted solids, water, and microbial contamination in its fuel dispensing systems. Currently,  manual monitoring methods are used to determine fuel cleanliness changes as a result of flushing operations. This includes collecting fuel samples at regular intervals and subjecting them to various test methods to determine solid and free water levels until established fuel cleanliness standards are achieved. These actions take manpower and laboratory capabilities, while some hydrant systems continue to experience contamination issues, resulting in out-of-cycle filter replacement, increased maintenance, hazardous material disposal costs, and the potential of contaminated fuel being delivered to aircraft. FTL’s HyFli technology is an in-line and quick connect sensor system that can monitor and analyze in real time aviation fuel cleanliness changes during hydrant system pipeline flushing operations. The system can monitor and analyze aviation fuel samples from various points on a hydrant system both during flushing operations and routine fueling operations to monitor for solid particulate levels, water content (free), microbial contamination, and other fuel properties. Solid contamination levels are reported in both mg/L or ISO Codes and water content (free) is reported in ppm. The HyFli technology has the potential to positively impact aviation fuel quality surveillance and fuels infrastructure operations. HyFli can be implemented at all Air Force operating locations having aviation fuel hydrant systems to monitor improvements in fuel cleanliness during hydrant system flushing operations. It also has potential expansion to other Services and Defense Logistics Agency Energy and significant applications for commercial aviation fuel hydrant systems, dispensing, and fuel quality analysis.