Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is unveiling an innovative fuel tank sanitization method that provides a more effective and longer-lasting cleaning than current processes this week at EBACE 2024. Moreover, it is chemical-free and does not employ biocides that can be harmful to the environment.
Microbial contamination buildup—known as biofilm—has a detrimental effect on the health of aircraft fuel systems and structural integrity by clogging filters and causing corrosion. The problem is exacerbated in aircraft—such as larger-size business jets—that spend extended periods of time on the ground in hot and humid climates.
Fuel system cleaning is typically conducted as part of a maintenance layover. A patent is pending for the new procedure, which has been certified through LHT’s Part 21J Design Organization status.
The company's procedure employs steam cleaning and vacuum suction that effectively removes the biofilm, even from difficult-to-reach areas such as around rivet joints. According to LHT, the results are far in advance of those obtained with existing biocide-based methods and significantly exceed the requirements described in aircraft maintenance manuals. The effectiveness of the cleaning also lasts considerably longer than with current methods, it said.
Numerous post-treatment microbial examinations are conducted as part of the process, testing critical areas of the fuel system. “Several thousands of filter components have already passed through our fuel forensics unit. Therefore, we have built up comprehensive expertise and a large database of contaminants that arise in jet fuel and its tanks today. We know exactly what to test for,” said Christian Siry, head of LHT's central materials technologies unit.
“The complete absence of microbes documented in all the areas treated by our new sanitization procedure has thus convinced us that we found a truly effective solution to break the vicious circle of fuel tank contamination,” he continued.
Looking beyond this procedure, LHT hopes that this breakthrough can show a pathway to removing biocide treatments from a number of other treatments that are mandated in aircraft maintenance manuals.