fuel tank ignition experiments at reduced oxygen concentrations
DESCRIPTION
Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations. Steve Summer Systems Fire Protection Working Group Wilson, NC July 17 – 18, 2001. Objectives. Determine the Lower Oxygen Limit of Flammability (LOLF) at altitudes varying from 0 - 40 kft. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Fuel Tank Ignition Experiments at Reduced Oxygen Concentrations
Steve SummerSystems Fire Protection Working GroupWilson, NCJuly 17 – 18, 2001
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.
Test Facility
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
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"
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
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.
Results: Methane Validation Tests
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.
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
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
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.