Eugene P. Klueg, James E. DeMaree

The potential explosive and fire hazards and methods of detecting and controlling in-flight fires on modern aircraft powerplant installations were investigated under full-scale simulated low altitude flight conditions. Modifications were made to the pod-mounted turbofan engine test article to extend this program scope beyond the normal range of variables present on the installation.

The test program consisted of five studies: (1) environomental conditions producing thermal ignition of combustible mixtures and ignition characteristics, (2) characteristics of nacelle fires (3) system performance and installation requirements for fire and overheat detection, (4) requirements for extinguishing and controlling fires, and (5) effects of fires and explosions on the powerplant installation.

The results of this program are presented as fire safety design criteria and engineering data. The efects of environmental conditions and thermal ignition and the characteristics of ignition ar reported as a function of the amount, location and type of fluid leakage. The size, intensity, radiation level, and propagation rate of nacelle fires are related to flight condition, fluid type, and fluid leakage characteristics. Fire detection requirements and the feasibility of abbreviated and remotely located sensors are presented as a function of detector operating characteristics, available detection time, nacelle design and fire characteristics. Fire extinguishing requirements are related to the location, size, intensity and duration of the fires, flight conditions, nacelle ventilation and the tpe extinguishing agent and container. The resistance of the nacelle and engine components to fire and explosive damage and means of controlling and preventing the spread of fire are reported.

Andrew J. Atkinson

Performance evaluation of a typical gas turbine engine combustion system was conducted to determine the combustion characteristics of two gelled Jet A fuels

Testing of an emulsified fuel was terminated due to separation of the emulsion by the shearing action of the boost pump in the system. The conclusions by the shearing action of the boost pump in the system. The conclusions reached (1) indicate the feasibility of employing gelled fuels from a combustion standpoint and, (2) demonstrate filtration, atomization, and deposition problems.

Joseph M. Kuchta, Joseph M. Kuchta, Aldo L. Furno, George H. Martindill, Agnes C. Imhof

A method for rating the potential crash fire hazard of gelled and emulsified hydrocarbon fuels was developed at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration since the use of thickened aircraft fuels may provide a significant reduction in the crash fire hazard. The rating system is designed primarily for screening candidate-thickened fuels with respect of their overall flammability hazard under laboratory scale conditions. The fuel properties included in the rating system are minimum autoignition temperature, flash point, volatility rate, self spread rate, regression or burning rate, flame spread rate, and fire ball size under impact conditions; methods for determining these fuel properties are also described in the report. Experimental data on such fuel properties are presented for JP-4 and JP-5 or Jet A thickened that were formulated with an emulsifying agent or with one of three different gelling agents submitted for evaluation. The results if these determinations and the numerical ratings derived for each fuel composition are discussed.

C.M. Urban

A "Preliminary Description of Emulsified Fuels" is presented which provides essential property requirements based on knowledge developed at this and other laboratories. Many test methods were adopted, adapted, or developed as required, and tentative limits were established wherever the applicable information was available.

The candidate emulsified fuel formulations, developed at the various laboratories, were evaluated at this laboratory, by the test methods of the "preliminary description, " in a small turbine engine and in bench turbine combustion and fuel systems.

National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center, Atlantic City

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