Investigation of Aircraft Fuel Tank Explosions and Nitrogen Inerting Requirements during Ground Fires.

摘要

Nitrogen inerting was investigated as a means of preventing or minimizing explosions and/or reactions in aircraft fuel tanks under simulated crash-fire conditions. Tests were conducted on both small and large volume tanks, inerted to various concentrations (expressed in terms of O2 concentration by volume), containing different amounts of Jet-A or JP-4 fuel and heated at different rates. Results of these tests indicated that internal fire or explosion would not result from external heating or internal high-energy spark when the tank was inerted to an oxygen concentration lower than 10 percent. (Author) Color illustrations reproduced in black and white.