Final answer:
The auxiliary fuel system in aircraft is comprised of interconnected tanks, gravity feed systems, boost pumps, and engine-driven fuel pumps, all of which ensure proper fuel delivery to the engines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The auxiliary fuel system in aircraft typically consists of components such as interconnected tanks, gravity feed systems, boost pumps, and engine-driven fuel pumps. These components work together to ensure a steady supply of fuel to the aircraft’s engines. For instance, interconnected tanks allow for balance and redundancy; when they are filled and drained simultaneously, it helps maintain the aircraft's center of gravity. Gravity feed systems can supply fuel by the force of gravity, while boost pumps are used to help draw fuel from the tanks to the engines, especially when gravity is not sufficient to ensure an adequate fuel flow. Finally, engine-driven fuel pumps are typically used to provide high-pressure fuel delivery to the engine's combustion chambers, which is crucial for engine performance.
When tanks are designed to achieve flow-through, it means water or another fluid is pumped in through a lower valve and expelled through an upper opening, similar to how fuel might be moved through an auxiliary fuel system. Regarding fuel types, engines that fire with a green flame at 3 seconds use a liquid fuel/oxidant mixture, whereas engines with a yellow flame at 4 seconds use a solid mixture. This distinction pertains to the differences in propulsion technologies that are relevant in aerospace engineering.