REAL-TIME FUEL QUALITY MEASUREMENT AND AUTOMATED COMPLIANCE MONITORING FOR AVIATION REFUELLING SYSTEMS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

The approach to quality control in the area of aviation refuelling is shifting from that of periodic sampling to one that makes use of a continuous method relying on a large amount of data, but the operational difficulties extend well beyond the simple installation of one sensor. In order to ensure safety, a system has to measure the pertinent characteristics of Jet A-1 with response times that are practical, be able to tell the difference between actual contamination and variations in the process, link the measurements to the approved specifications, and at the same time keep a record of the decisions for audit purposes. This review looks at the evidence published between 2020 and 2025 regarding real-time and near-real-time measurement of aviation fuel, the detection of contamination, sensor integration, and automated process management, and then applies those findings to refuelling systems at airports in Saudi Arabia. In order to carry out the review, a structured integrative approach was adopted, combining peer-reviewed studies with the current ASTM and Joint Inspection Group requirements and the official Saudi aviation strategy documents. The evidence shows that no single technique is at present capable of replacing all the laboratory tests. On the contrary, a layered system is technically more reliable: it makes use of optical or dielectric sensing for water, light-scattering or extinction methods for particles, inline conductivity and process instrumentation,and spectroscopic fingerprints for rapid multi-property screening