Inerting Fuel Load Effects Fuel Load Effects on

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Fuel Load Effects on Inert Ullage for Ground-Based Inerting March 27 - 28, 2001 International Systems Fire Protection Working Group Long Beach, Ca AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Outline • • • Background Inerting Level Data Agitation Data Manifold Data Altitude Data AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Background • Focus of the Testing is to Determine the Effect of fuel on an Inert Ullage Space • Have 17 Cubic Foot Tank with Oxygen Analysis, [THC] Analysis, Fuel and Ullage Temperature. • Test Article in Environmental Chamber with Altitude and Temperature Capability and can be inerted with bottled N 2 • Have Capability to Aireate Fuel, Recirculate Ullage Gas, Pump Fuel, or Inert Through Fuel via a Gas Dispersion Manifold in Bottom of Tank • Have Data Acquisition System on Line. AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Inerting Level Tests • Inerting Tank to Different Starting Levels – 6, 8, and 10 Percent Oxygen at Start – Inerted Tank with 95% NEA – Stabilized then Recirculated for 45 Minutes • Results Somewhat Unexpected – Inerting to Lower Levels had Decreased Performance of the Fuel / Inert Ullage Relationship – This translates into Diminishing Returns AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Agitation Tests • Inerting Tank to 8% Starting Level – Three Different Methods of Liberating Excess Oxygen from Fuel; Recirculation, Sloshing, and Radiant Bottom Heating – Inerted Tank with 95% NEA – Stabilized then Performed Method Prescribed to Examine the Relative Effect • Results As Expected – Most Effective Method was Recirculation – Heating was Effective Method, but takes a Long Time – Sloshing Utilized Unrealistic AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Manifold Inerting Tests • Inerting Tank to Approximately 8% Starting Level Through Fuel – Basic Manifold was Tube with Holes in Tank Bottom – Inerted Tank with 95% NEA – Measured VTE to Inert and Increase in Oxygen Concentration due to Recirculation • Results Surprising – Inerting Through Manifold Provides Some Benefit Against Oxygen Concentration Increase Even with 95% NEA, But Requires More NEA to Wash Ullage – Could get Greater Benefit with More Elaborate Manifold or Higher Purity NEA AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Preliminary Altitude Tests • Inerted Tank to Approximately 8% Starting Level in Environmental Chamber with Different Fuel Loads – Used In-House Developed O 2 Analyzer – Inerted Tank with Aircraft Grade Nitrogen – Used Standard Misson for Preliminary Results • 1 Hour on Ground • 12 Minute Accent • 2 Hour Cruise • Rapid Decent – Pumped Fuel Through Manifold to Stimulate Evolution – Fuel Load Constant AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Preliminary Altitude Tests (cont. ) • Results As Expected – Time at Altitude is Primary Driver of O 2 Evolution – Maximum O 2 Concentration Dependant on Fuel Load AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D

Inerting Fuel Load Effects __________________ Future Work • Validate Existing Data with Repeat Testing • Study the Effect of Accent Rate on Oxygen Evolution at Altitude • Study the Effect of Stimulation Method on Oxygen Evolution at Altitude • Measure [THC] Time Evolution • Repeat Manifold Experiments with 98% NEA. AAR-422 Fire Safety R&D