![Page 1: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations
Steve SummerSystems Fire Protection Working GroupWilson, NCJuly 17 – 18, 2001
![Page 2: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Objectives
Determine the Lower Oxygen Limit of Flammability (LOLF) at altitudes varying from 0 - 40 kft.– What is the lowest O2 concentration that results in
ignition of the ullage fuel vapors?
Determine the effect of the ullage O2
concentration on the resultant pressure rise.
![Page 3: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Test Facility
![Page 4: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Apparatus
TH C A nalyzer
R igh t Test Track
Left Test Track
1 0 m P ressu re Vesse l
3 Ana lyze r Byp a ss
Sa m p le Line O A nalyzer
2
H eaterH eater
Spark Source
Fan
= Therm ocouple Feed through
N L ines2
H ouse A ir L ine
![Page 5: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Apparatus
R ig h t T /C T re eL e ft T /C T re e
L iq u id J P -8 F u e lF u e l P a n
= T h e rm o c o u p le B e a d
6.0"
6.0"
![Page 6: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
ApparatusS
T H C A n a ly z e r
P re ss u re Ve s se l
S
O x y g e n A n a ly z e r
H e a te d S a m p le L in e
U n h e a te d S a m p le L in e
SS o le n o id Va lv e
T -F itt in g3 -W a y Va lv e
F lo w m e te r
P re ss u re R e g u la to r
D ia p h ra g m P u m p
B u lk h ea d F ittin g
K EY
C a l. G a s In le t
B y p a ss
T H C In ta k e
O x y g e n In ta k e
O x y g e n R e tu rn
S a m p leO v e r f lo wL o c a tio n s
Ic e -Te m p e ra tu re B a th
![Page 7: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Test Program
Methane Validation Tests– Determine LFL of Methane at Sea Level and
compare to numbers cited in literature.– Tests performed at CH4-air concentrations ranging
from 4.35 - 5.5% CH4.
![Page 8: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Results: Methane Validation Tests
![Page 9: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Test Program
JP-8 LOLF Tests– Determine ullage oxygen concentration needed to
inert the fuel tank at altitudes of 0 - 40 kft.– Determine the effect of the ullage O2 concentration
on the resultant pressure rise.
![Page 10: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Results: JP-8 LOLF Tests
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
0 10 20 30 40
Altitude (kft)
Oxy
ge
n C
on
cen
tra
tio
n b
y V
olu
me
Ignition
Non-Ignition
![Page 11: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Minimum Oxygen Concentrations for Ignition
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
0 10 20 30 40
Altitude (kft)
Oxy
ge
n C
on
cen
tra
tio
n b
y V
olu
me
Non-Ignition
Ignition
Results: JP-8 LOLF Tests
![Page 12: Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813965550346895da0fea9/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Future Plans
Pressure measurements– Piezoresistive sensors mounted behind porous
metal discs.– Similar configuration to Joe Shepherd’s work.– Approximately 2 months before testing can begin.