A method of operating a fuel system is provided. The method includes removing fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system using a gravity drain process. The method also includes channeling nitrogen into at least a portion of the fuel system to facilitate removing air and residual fuel from at least a portion of the fuel system, thereby mitigating a formation of carbonaceous precipitate particulates. The method further includes removing air and nitrogen from at least a portion of the fuel system during a fuel refilling process using a venting process, such that at least a portion of the fuel system is substantially refilled with fuel and substantially evacuated of air and nitrogen. The method also includes removing air from at least a portion of the refilled fuel system using a venting process.