Aircraft Pressurization System

Study Notes

Aircraft Pressurization

Aircraft pressurization is the process of maintaining a safe and comfortable internal pressure in an aircraft cabin.

Reasons for Pressurization:

To prevent hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) at high altitudes
To reduce fatigue and improve passenger comfort
To protect against extreme temperatures and weather conditions
To prevent damage to aircraft structures due to pressure differences

Pressurization Systems:

Cabin Pressurization System: Maintains a constant pressure difference between the cabin and the outside environment
- Uses air from the engines or auxiliary power unit (APU) to pressurize the cabin
- Controlled by the cabin pressure controller and pressure sensors
Cabin Altitude Control System: Regulates the cabin altitude (pressure) to maintain a safe and comfortable level
- Typically set to a cabin altitude of 8,000-10,000 feet (2,400-3,000 meters)

Pressurization Process:

Air Intake: Air is drawn from the engines or APU into the cabin pressurization system
Compression: Air is compressed to increase its pressure
Cooling: Compressed air is cooled to remove excess heat
Expansion: Cooled air is expanded to reduce its pressure to a safe level
Distribution: Pressurized air is distributed throughout the cabin
Ventilation: Excess air is vented out of the cabin to maintain a safe pressure level

Safety Features:

Pressure Relief Valves: Prevent over-pressurization of the cabin
Cabin Pressure Sensors: Monitor cabin pressure and alert the crew to any anomalies
Emergency Decompression: Allows for rapid decompression of the cabin in emergency situations

Effects of Pressure Changes:

Ear Pain: Caused by pressure changes during ascent and descent
Altitude Sickness: Caused by rapid changes in cabin pressure
Decompression Sickness: Caused by rapid loss of cabin pressure

Aircraft Pressurization

The process of maintaining a safe and comfortable internal pressure in an aircraft cabin

Reasons for Pressurization

Prevents hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) at high altitudes
Reduces fatigue and improves passenger comfort
Protects against extreme temperatures and weather conditions
Prevents damage to aircraft structures due to pressure differences

Pressurization Systems

Cabin Pressurization System: maintains a constant pressure difference between the cabin and outside environment
Uses air from engines or APU to pressurize the cabin
Controlled by cabin pressure controller and pressure sensors
Cabin Altitude Control System: regulates cabin altitude to maintain a safe and comfortable level

Cabin Altitude

Typically set to a cabin altitude of 8,000-10,000 feet (2,400-3,000 meters)

Pressurization Process

Air Intake: draws air from engines or APU into the cabin pressurization system
Compression: increases air pressure
Cooling: removes excess heat from compressed air
Expansion: reduces air pressure to a safe level
Distribution: distributes pressurized air throughout the cabin
Ventilation: vents excess air out of the cabin to maintain safe pressure level

Safety Features

Pressure Relief Valves: prevent over-pressurization of the cabin
Cabin Pressure Sensors: monitor cabin pressure and alert crew to anomalies
Emergency Decompression: allows rapid decompression of the cabin in emergency situations

Effects of Pressure Changes

Ear Pain: caused by pressure changes during ascent and descent
Altitude Sickness: caused by rapid changes in cabin pressure
Decompression Sickness: caused by rapid loss of cabin pressure

Aircraft Pressurization

Reasons for Pressurization

Prevents hypoxia at high altitudes by maintaining a safe internal pressure
Reduces fatigue and improves passenger comfort by controlling temperature and humidity
Protects against extreme temperatures and weather conditions
Prevents damage to aircraft structures due to pressure differences

Pressurization Systems

Cabin Pressurization System maintains a constant pressure difference between the cabin and outside environment
Uses air from engines or APU to pressurize the cabin
Controlled by cabin pressure controller and pressure sensors
Cabin Altitude Control System regulates cabin altitude to maintain a safe and comfortable level
Typically set to a cabin altitude of 8,000-10,000 feet (2,400-3,000 meters)

Pressurization Process

Air is drawn from engines or APU into the cabin pressurization system
Air is compressed to increase its pressure
Compressed air is cooled to remove excess heat
Cooled air is expanded to reduce its pressure to a safe level
Pressurized air is distributed throughout the cabin
Excess air is vented out of the cabin to maintain a safe pressure level

Safety Features

Pressure Relief Valves prevent over-pressurization of the cabin
Cabin Pressure Sensors monitor cabin pressure and alert the crew to any anomalies
Emergency Decompression allows for rapid decompression of the cabin in emergency situations

Effects of Pressure Changes

Ear pain is caused by pressure changes during ascent and descent
Altitude sickness is caused by rapid changes in cabin pressure
Decompression sickness is caused by rapid loss of cabin pressure

Description

Learn about the importance of pressurization in aircraft cabins, including reasons for pressurization and the different systems used to maintain a safe and comfortable internal pressure then the causes of hypoxia and at what altitude it’s safe for humans to breathe