FAA orders airlines to install new fuel tank inerting system to reduce chance of explosion
A cost-benefit analysis still must be done and airlines need time to
plan for the change, so the requirement is not expected to take effect
for at least two years. Once the rule is issued, the so-called
fuel-tank inerting program will be phased in over seven years. During
that time existing planes will have to be retrofitted with the device
and new planes will have them as standard equipment. The
Cargo Pit is next !
This system is 90% of
what is required for the cargo system, WE are one valve away > >IAI fire lab test Preventive Mode in the suppression test method device
The below sequence of photos
demonstrates the effectiveness of the "FirePASS
Preventive" mode of Hypoxic Air and Low Pressure (LPDF) Water Mist
System. After several week of successfully passing the fire test
scenarios for halon replacement agents, the IAI fire lab started phase
two of the system test. Prevention of fire. We feel it is easier not to
have a fire, that to try to control one after it starts. In the below
sequence the standard deep seated class A fire starter box from the FAA
bulk load and containerized fire scenarios is put to the extreme test.
The Box is placed on a steel frame at the mid point of the 2000 CuFt cargo compartment test fixture. The air side of the misting system is activated driving the Oxygen content down to below the combustion level. When the O2 content reached 14.5% inside the compartment 115 Volts 60Hz at 13.2 amps is applied to a NiCrome wire wrapped around several paper towels. This ignition method is used in the FAA MPS test method and always produces a sustained fire in 60 seconds. The airflow rates are the same use in previous bulk load and containerized fires using LPDF water mist.
The below test was run for 45 minutes with a
constant 13.20 amps fed to
the NiCrome wire. This amount of damage is considered to be
negligible. Click on the photos of a larger photo
The Box is placed on a steel frame at the mid point of the 2000 CuFt cargo compartment test fixture. The air side of the misting system is activated driving the Oxygen content down to below the combustion level. When the O2 content reached 14.5% inside the compartment 115 Volts 60Hz at 13.2 amps is applied to a NiCrome wire wrapped around several paper towels. This ignition method is used in the FAA MPS test method and always produces a sustained fire in 60 seconds. The airflow rates are the same use in previous bulk load and containerized fires using LPDF water mist.
The below test was run for 45 minutes with a
constant 13.20 amps fed to
the NiCrome wire. This amount of damage is considered to be
negligible. Click on the photos of a larger photoA ounce of prevention is
worth 400 pounds of halon
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This experiment test the capability of the FirePASS
Hypoxic "air only" to prevent the fire not just suppress it. In the
photo to the left a 18X18X18 cardboard box with 1 Kg shredded newspaper
was places in the Cargo MPS device at mid level on the stand used for
the surface load class B fire. A NiCrome wire wrapped around
paper towels is used for the ignition source. This is standard for the
MPS and always produces a flame and sustained fire within 60 seconds of
application of electrical power. Containerized fire test
device is seen in the back ground.
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This is a
close up of the test box, after the experiment just prior to removing
it from the test fixture. Note some warping of the two upper flaps from
the internal heat. But no visible external damage. |
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Close up
of the lower left air vent hole showing the NiCrome wire and small char
mark from the hot wire exposure. In later test this developed into a slit and migrated down with the weight of the wire through the bottom of the box. |
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After the
Box is removed, the damage to the shredded paper and inner flap are
apparent. This is all the damage after exposure to the hot wire for 45
minutes. |
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Closer
view of the burn damage. With the reduced O2 in the Hypoxic atmosphere,
the only damage is to the paper in a direct line with the radiant heat
produced by the wire. Some discoloration and scorching of the internal
paper lining of the box is seen. |
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Close up
photo showing the shredded paper damage. Note the paper towels are
completely consumed but only char on the newspaper. Wire is visible in
the larger photos. |
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The
internal temperature reached over 325 degrees fahrenheit for over ten
minutes and remained in excess of 150 F for the entire test. The
box sustained no real damage, it can be re used in the MPS test method
as a ignition box again. All we need to do is remove the
charcoal, re wrap a paper towel with the ignition wire and we are off. |
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