Ground-Based Inerting of a Boeing 737 Center Wing Fuel Tank FAA, AAR-422, Fire Safety R&D

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Cavage, William M., author.

Conference Name:

Advances In Aviation Safety Conference & Exposition (2001-09-11 : Seattle, Washington, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2001

Summary:

A series of aircraft flight and ground tests were performed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Boeing Company to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-based inerting (GBI) as a means of reducing the flammability of center wing fuel tanks (CWTs) in the commercial transport fleet. Boeing made available a Boeing 737800 for modification and testing. The fuel tank was instrumented with gas sample tubing and thermocouples and tests were performed inerting the CWT to 8 percent oxygen to allow for a measurement of fuel tank inerting and heating. Results showed that under quiescent conditions the oxygen concentration in the fuel tank remained somewhat constant, keeping the CWT inert (below 10- to 12-percent oxygen by volume) for relatively long periods of time. Certain wind conditions and flight conditions created cross venting within the CWT that allowed for significant increases in the oxygen. A modification to the vent system created a significant increase in the benefit of the GBI even at low to moderate fuel loads

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2001-01-2656

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license