Fuel Systems

Appendix A — Fuel System Standard

17.0 — Lab Examination No. 13
Fuel Tank Impulse Test and Slosh Test

183.586 Pressure Impulse Test

A fuel tank is tested by performing the following procedures in the following order:

(a) Perform the static pressure test under section 183.580.
(b) If the tank is non-metallic, fill it to capacity with a gasoline that has at least a 50% aromatic content. Keep the fuel in the tank at 21°C or higher for 30 days prior to testing.
(c) Mount the tank on a test platform.
(d) Fill the tank to capacity with water.
(e) Cap and seal each opening in the tank.
(f) Apply 25,000 cycles of pressure impulse at the rate of no more than 15 impulses per minute varying from zero to three PSIG to zero inside the tank top from a regulated source of air, inert gas, or water.
(g) Perform the static pressure test under section 183.580

Note:
The requirements of this test are prescribed by sections 183.510(d) and (e) and 183.588(b).

183.588 Slosh Test

A fuel tank is tested by performing the following procedures in the following order:

(a) Perform the static pressure test under section 183.580.
(b) Perform the pressure impulse test under section 183.586.
(c) Secure the tank to the platform of a tank rocker assembly.
(d) Fill the tank to one-half capacity with water.
(e) Cap and seal each opening in the tank.
(f) Apply 500,000 cycles of rocking motion 15 degrees to each side of the tank centerline at the rate of 15 to 20 cycles a minute. The axis of rotation of the rocker and fuel tank must be perpendicular to the centerline of the tank length at a level six inches or less above or bellow the tank’s bottom.
(g) Perform the static pressure test under section 183.580.

Note:
The requirements of this test are prescribed by section 183.510(e).

17.1 General Description — The tank shall be subjected to a static pressure test, if not previously accomplished, to verify that the tank has zero leakage. 25,000 pressure impulse shall be applied to the tank or until leakage is observed. If the tank successfully completes the pressure impulse test, it shall then be subjected to a slosh test for 500,000 cycles. The fuel tank shall have no leakage as a result of these tests as determined by the final static pressure test.

17.1.1 Test Article — The test article shall consist of a fuel tank as delivered by the manufacturer or as removed from an actual installation. The tank shall include all attachments and fittings as would normally be found in an installation such as a fuel gauge, fuel feed adapter, vent and fill pipes, etc.

17.1.2 Constraints —

a. The pressure impulse test is only for fuel tanks which have a capacity of 25-gal. (94.6 l) or more.
b. Tanks which have a capacity of 100-gal. (378.5 l) or more are required to pass the pressure impulse and slosh test.

Tank Size

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