Accession Number:

ADA021665

Title:

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

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Sep 72-Dec 74,

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL AVIATION FACILITIES EXPERIMENTAL CENTER ATLANTIC CITY N J

Personal Author(s):

• Hill,Richard
• Johnson,George R.

Report Date:

1975-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

84.0

Abstract:

Nitrogen inerting was investigated as a means of preventing or minimizing explosions andor 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.

Descriptors:

• *NITROGEN
• *FUEL TANKS
• *INERT MATERIALS
• *AVIATION SAFETY
• *AIRCRAFT FIRES
• *FIRE SAFETY
• FUEL SYSTEMS
• GROUND LEVEL
• EXPLOSIONS
• OXYGEN
• IGNITION
• JET ENGINE FUELS
• CONCENTRATION(CHEMISTRY)
• CRASHES
• VENTS

Subject Categories:

• Aircraft
• Fuels

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE