Fuel Tank Inerting
On-Going Research
Modeling Multi-Bay In-Flight Fuel Tank Inerting
Tests have been performed with a 24% scale model of
a Boeing 747SP center wing tank to validate the
existing assumptions for inerting of a compartmentalized
tank in flight. The scale model has been installed
in the Hughes Technical Center
Environmental Chamber and instrumented to evaluate
inert gas distribution under a variety of flight
and ground conditions as well as different deposit
and venting scenarios. The model is equipped with
thermocouples, and oxygen analysis ports that were
monitored and recorded continuously by a data acquisition
system during each test. The model can be inerted
with a scaled NEA flow rate and purity designed
to simulate the performance of a commercial transport
airplane OBIGGS.
Additionally, a multiple bay fuel tank inerting analytical
model, based on the single bay model, is being
developed and applied to study the effect of system
performance and flight cycle on the change in oxygen
concentration within the compartmentalized commercial
transport airplane fuel tank . This model can be used
with primitive system performance models being developed
to further study fuel tank inerting, including potential
trade studies to determine the effect of increased
system performance, changing system flow mode
"tuning," and different system operational
methodologies. The model uses lessons learned from previously
developed analytical models focused
on calculating the inert gas distribution in a compartmentalized
tank during ground inerting (see AIAA paper 2002-3032).
Additional Information
For information contact:
William Cavage
Phone: (609) 485-4993
Fax: (609) 485-5785
William.M.Cavage@faa.gov