Fuel Hydrant Valve & Pressure Monitoring (Airports & Aviation Fuel Systems) — ATEX

Prevents leaks, improves traceability

Valve position

Pressure

Quick Overview

Problem

Aviation fuel hydrant systems operate under strict safety and availability constraints. Undetected valve mispositioning, pressure instability, or leaks can disrupt aircraft refuelling, create safety hazards, and lead to costly operational delays in ATEX-classified fuel zones.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified valve position and pressure sensors provide continuous monitoring of hydrant valves and fuel line pressure, ensuring safe, traceable, and reliable airport refuelling operations.

Value

Improved refuelling safety • Reduced delays • Lower inspection effort • Higher operational reliability

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified valve & pressure sensors

The Operational Challenge

Aviation fuel hydrant systems supply fuel to:

  • Aircraft stands and aprons
  • Refuelling pits and hydrant valves
  • Underground fuel distribution networks
  • Backup and emergency refuelling points

These systems operate continuously and are exposed to:

  • Frequent valve operations
  • High flow rates and pressure variations
  • Strict aviation safety regulations
  • ATEX-classified environments

Common issues include:

  • Valves left partially open or closed
  • Pressure instability during refuelling
  • Undetected leaks or line degradation
  • Manual verification of valve status

Traditional monitoring relies on:

  • Visual valve position checks
  • Local pressure gauges
  • Manual logging for compliance

This approach is labour-intensive and prone to human error.

Why Valve Position & Pressure Monitoring Matters

Valve position and line pressure are critical parameters for aviation fuel safety.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Verify correct valve position in real time
  • Detect abnormal pressure drops or surges
  • Ensure consistent refuelling conditions
  • Maintain traceability for audits and incident analysis

Remote monitoring also reduces personnel exposure on aprons and in fuel pits.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe monitoring solution for aviation fuel hydrant systems.

Core Components

Valve Position Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Provides discrete or continuous feedback on hydrant valve position.

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Monitors fuel line pressure to detect leaks, restrictions, or abnormal operating conditions.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT for integration with airport fuel management systems and SCADA.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on or threaded installation — no cabling or shutdown required.

Operational Benefits

  • Reduced risk of incorrect valve operation
  • Early detection of pressure anomalies
  • Improved refuelling safety and reliability
  • Simplified compliance reporting

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Valve status visibility Intermittent Continuous
Pressure anomaly detection Late Early
Inspection effort High Reduced
Refuelling reliability Variable Improved

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for aviation fuel hydrant monitoring comply with:

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification
  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The intrinsically safe design enables safe deployment in active airport fuel zones without disruption.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Airport fuel management, SCADA, CMMS

Vendors

Skytanking, Shell Aviation, BP Aviation, Siemens

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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