Evaluation of control strategies for airport refueling system

Objective With the rising demand in civil aviation and the continual growth of large- and medium-sized airports, reliable and secure apron hydrant pipeline systems are essential for enabling the smooth movement of passengers and cargo at civil aviation airports. Furthermore, an accurate pump start/stop control strategy is vital to ensuring the efficient operation of an automated control system for oil supply at constant pressures. Methods An offline simulation program was developed utilizing the characteristic method for hydrant pipeline systems. This program was then cross-checked against SPS software results to validate its accuracy. Subsequently, within the setting of an airport in China, encompassing its actual pipeline network structure and refueling data, simulations were conducted, incorporating different control modes (single-pump frequency conversion and multi-pump frequency conversion) and diverse measurement parameters (pressurefrequency and pressure-flow). Accounting for fluctuations in refueling flow at the airport over a single day, these simulations generated the time-varying outlet pressures at the depot and operational states of refueling pumps under different control strategies. The subsequent statistical analysis enabled the derivation of pump start/stop frequencies and energy consumption associated with pump unit operations for further comparative evaluation. Results In control scenarios utilizing pressure-frequency measurements, the system tended to initiate refueling pumps more frequently to manage pressure fluctuations, leading to a higher maximum number of operating pumps compared to scenarios based on pressure-flow measurements. The core objective of pump start-stop control is to align the number of operational pumps with the refueling demand. Additionally, implementing a control strategy that halts pumps more timely presents an effective solution for reducing energy losses. A thorough analysis highlighted the efficacy of the multi-pump variable frequency control mode in maintaining stable pipeline pressures through pump speed adjustments during pump stoppages and significantly decreasing energy consumption by employing pressure-flow measurements to guide pump start/stop decisions. This approach enhances both safety and cost-efficiency in system operations. Conclusion The research findings provide valuable insights for design and operational personnel to optimize pump start-stop control strategies. These outcomes are conducive to airport refueling systems in improving planning and design rationale, enhancing dispatching management safety, and refining operational control accuracy.