Ground Based Inerting Overview An Overview of the

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ An Overview of the FAA Technical Center’s Commercial Aircraft Fuel Tank Inerting Research December 11 th-12 th, 2000 International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working Group AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ Outline • Work Performed • Work in Progress • Proposed Work AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ Work Performed • Cost Analysis of Ground Based Fuel Tank Inerting in the Commercial Fleet – Performed Study of Two Target Airports with Carriers – Estimated Cost 1. 6 B over 13 Years, 800 M HCWTs Only – Published Report in May 2000 • Inerting of a Vented Fuel Tank with Nitrogen Enriched Air – Performed Lab Experiments with Model Fuel Tank and Air Liquid NEA Generator – Jury Still Out on Effectiveness of Recirc and Replace – Report to be Published December 2000 AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ Work In Progress • Fuel Tank Flammability at Increased Altitude and Decreased Oxygen Concentration – Performed Ignition Experiments with Model Fuel Tank in Pressure Chamber – Initial Study at Sea Level Completed, Work to Continue with Increased Altitude to 40 K feet • Fuel Load Effect on an Inert Ullage Space at Altitude – Use Model Fuel Tank and Altitude Chamber to Measure the Effect of Decreased Pressure on Ullage Space Oxygen and Hydrocarbon Concentration at Different Fuel Loads – Initial Data focused on effect of fuel on Inert Ullage Space Oxygen Concentration at Sea Level. AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ Work In Progress (continued) • Boeing GBI Proof of Concept Flight Testing – Focus of the testing is to determine if the Existing Fleet Vented Fuel Tanks Will Maintain NEA Benefit for a Significant Amount of Time – Designed Built and Integrated an 8 Channel Ullage Sampling System with Flow Through Oxygen Analyzers. – Completed Safety Analysis. EMI Testing Scheduled for Week of 12/18/2000. – Testing Scheduled for Last Week in January. AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Ground Based Inerting Overview __________________ Future Work • Full Scale Ground Based Fuel Tank Inerting – Presently Seeking a Decommissioned B-747 for Ground Based Testing. – Plan Extensive Instrumentation and Testing Beginning in 2001. • On-Board OBIGGS Feasibility Study – Solicit Paper Designs with Performance Estimates from Several Venders • Support ARAC Data Requirements AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D