6.13 Aircraft Fueling

6.13.1 Emissions

Introduction

Emissions from these categories occur during refueling (including spillage) of general aviation, commercial, and military aircraft with aviation gasoline or jet fuel. Over-the-wing and single point pressure fueling are two systems used by airports for refueling aircraft. The over-the-wing is similar to a service station without a vapor recovery system. Single point pressure systems use pressure and a closed connection to refuel aircraft. The gasoline vapors in the aircraft tank are vented into the atmosphere through vents on the wings. Other sources of emissions for these categories are also from working and breathing of the underground storage tank during refueling.

Methodologies

The amount of aviation and jet fuel usage from San Jose International Airport and Oakland International Airport were obtained from the airport’s Monthly Activity Report. The fuel usage at the other airports was determined by apportioning the Oakland Airport usage with the number of operations. The uncontrolled emission factors of gasoline service station are used for refueling with gasoline over-the-wing. The emission factors are chosen based on EPA, AP-42 publication and engineering judgment. Total organic emissions for aircraft refueling categories are determined by multiplying the emission factor and estimated throughput.

Monthly Variation

Monthly variations of emissions are based on the monthly traffic counts at the San Jose International Airport.

County Distribution

Emissions were distributed into the nine counties based on aircraft operations activity at each airport in each county.

Table 6.30: County fractions.
category ALA CC MAR NAP SF SM SNC SOL SON
#79 Aviation Fuel 35.0% 9.0% 4.0% 8.0% – 8.0% 21.0% 6.0% 9.0%
#80 Jet Fuel 30.9% – – – – 46.6% 22.5% – –