B727 AMM - PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

AND OPERATION
Revision

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PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
1. General
A. The purpose of the pneumatic system is to supply high
temperature compressed air, from the 8th and 13th stage engine
compressor bleeds, for air conditioning and pressurization, and
for engine starting. The 13th stage engine bleed of engines No.
1 and No. 3 supplies air to both the pneumatic system and to
the thermal anti-icing system. The two systems are separated by
appropriate valves on the manifold of the 13th stage bleed. For
thermal anti-icing refer to Chapter 30 , Ice and Rain
Protection. For engine starting an APU is also provided which
supplies high pressure air to the starter. (See Ref. figure
1 .) Upon starting of one engine of the airplane, high
pressure air is supplied from this engine air bleeds, and
through the engine bleed distribution system to the other two
engine starters. Refer to Chapter 7l , Power Plant for full
information on engine starting.
B. The main supply of high temperature compressed air for air
conditioning and pressurization is obtained from eighth stage
compressor bleeds. When the supply of air of 8th stage bleed is
not adequate to meet air conditioning system demands, the 13th
stage bleed air is used. The No. 2 (center) engine supplies air
for the air conditioning system only from the 8th stage bleed.
Air from the engine No. 1 and No. 3 compressor bleeds is
directed through a precooler heat exchanger and an air cleaner
for each engine and then to the bleed air distribution system.
Engine No. 2 does not have a precooler or air cleaner. (See
Ref. figure 1 .) A high pressure bleed control system is
provided in order to regulate the air flow and supply the air
demand for the air conditioning system. For pressure and
temperature indication of the bleed air, pressure transmitters
and temperature switches are provided.
C. The engine bleed air distribution system interconnects the
engine bleeds of the three engines, and contains the necessary
valves to shut off bleed air at each engine and isolate various
ducts. The interconnecting ducts and the various valves are
used to deliver high temperature compressed air to the air
conditioning system and engine starters. An autopack trip
system is provided to automatically shut off engine bleed to

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 B727 AMM - PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
AND OPERATION
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the air conditioning system when additional thrust is needed on

takeoff. Refer to Chapter 21 for description of autopack trip
system.
D. The bleed air precooler system consists of two similar
subsystems which provide the precooling of bleed air. One
subsystem is the left side, which cools the air supplied by
engine No. 1 and the other is the right side which cools the
air supplied by engine No. 3. Each subsystem functions
automatically as long as the engine is running. Each subsystem
consists of a precooler air valve and an air to air heat
exchanger. The cooling air for the heat exchanger is engine fan
air bleed. The cooling air control valve is located in the
cooling air duct and valve position is controlled by bleed air
temperature.
E. The bleed air cleaner system consists of two similar
independent subsystems which purge the bleed air of impurities.
Each subsystem functions automatically whenever engine bleed
air is used from its respective engine for air conditioning,
and the airplane is on the ground or the flaps are extended.
Each subsystem consists of an inertial type air cleaner and an
electrically controlled, pneumatically operated purge valve.
The air cleaner and valve are located downstream of the heat
exchanger (Fig. 1).
F. The high pressure bleed control systems select the appropriate
source of engine bleed (8th-stage compressor bleed or 13th-
stage compressor bleed) and regulate the flow of air to each
air conditioning system in accordance with a predetermined
schedule. The schedule calls for a nominal flow of 105 pounds
per minute per system at sea level, and varies with altitude to
a value of approximately 80 pounds per minute at 40,000 feet.
Bleed control is entirely pneumatic and each system consists of
flow sensing equipment and modulating valves interconnected
with pressure sensing lines (Fig. 1).
G. Two pressure transmitters are provided for pressure indication
of the bleed air. One transmitter is normally used for each
engine 1 and 3, but both transmitters can be used
interchangeably for any other engine bleed, provided the
appropriate valves are closed or opened. Both pressure
transmitters are connected to a dual pressure indicator on the
third crewman's instrument panel. The engine bleed temperature
indication consists of overtemperature switches on the ducting

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 B727 AMM - PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
AND OPERATION
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system, which are connected to the third crewman's instrument

panel trip lights. The temperature switches illuminate the trip
lights when the bleed air temperature exceeds certain
temperatures.
H. Pressure relief valves prevent possible duct rupture due to
overpressure. A pressure relief valve is installed in each
pneumatic duct extending forward from the aft pressure bulkhead
to the air conditioning packs. The valves are located
approximately 10 inches forward of the pressure bulkhead and
relieve pressure at 75 psig minimum on increasing pressure. The
valve closes on decreasing pressure at 65 psig minimum. Access
to the pressure relief valves is through the aft bulkhead of
the aft cargo compartment.

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 B727 AMM - PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
AND OPERATION
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Pneumatic System Schematic

Figure 1 (Sheet 1)

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 B727 AMM - PNEUMATIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
AND OPERATION
Revision

FED ALL

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