Accession Number:

AD0725027

Title:

Analysis of Aircraft Fuel Tank Fire and Explosion Hazards

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Jul 1969-15 Dec 1970

Corporate Author:

DYNAMIC SCIENCE IRVINE CA

Personal Author(s):

• Kosvic, Thomas C.
• Zung, Laurence B.
• Gerstein, Melvin

Report Date:

1971-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

85.0

Abstract:

Under simulated flight environments, fuelair ratios at various locations of the ullage space were determined using in-line gas chromatograph measurement. Using the shallow tank experimental data showed that during ascent and cruise portion of the flight profile, uniform fuelair mixtures were found to exist within the entire ullage volume. Significant fuelair gradients existed during the descent portion of the flight profile, with mainly air near the vent inlet. Evaporation lag was observed during ascent and level flight when liquid Jet A fuel was maintained at 80 degree F. When the liquid fuel temperature was increased to 120F, evaporation rate was found to be rapid enough that the evaporative lag phenomena was no longer observed. By vibrating the fuel tank, it greatly increased the rate of off-gassing of dissolved air in the liquid fuel. This in turn significantly changed the fuelair ratio in the ullage space. Two separate and complementary models were developed to predict fuelair concentrations within the ullage.

Descriptors:

• *FUEL TANKS
• *AIRCRAFT FIRES
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• HAZARDS
• EXPLOSIONS
• EXTERNAL STORES
• IGNITION
• EVAPORATION
• LEVEL FLIGHT
• JET ENGINE FUELS
• GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
• DESCENT
• LIQUID LEVEL CONTROL

Subject Categories:

• Safety Engineering

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE