improving aircraft safety through - honeywell · pdf fileimproving aircraft safety through...
TRANSCRIPT
Improving aircraft safety throughfuel tank inerting technologyHoneywell Aerospace
Honeywell
1944 East Sky Harbor Circle
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
North America: 1.800.601.3099
International: 1.602.365.3099
www.honeywell.com
C61-0689-000-001May 2008© 2008 Honeywell International Inc.
On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS)Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell is a leading global provider of
integrated avionics, engines, wheels and
brakes systems and service solutions for
aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business
and general aviation, military, space and
airport operations.
For more information on Honeywell
Aerospace, visit us online at
www.honeywell.com/aero
Global Network of Support Services
Honeywell’s resources span the Americas,
Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and the
South Pacific to deliver dedicated 24/7
service support. As a world leader in
aviation aftermarket services, our global
repair centers, logistics network and field
services engineering teams are able to
quickly repair, supply, and warranty equipment
whenever and wherever it is needed.
Find out more
To get more information on our OBIGGS
solution, send us an email at
HWELL3272-OBIGGsLet_FA.qxp:C61-0689-000-000 5/20/08 10:34 AM Page 1
The risk of fuel tank explosions has been a
common concern of aircraft manufacturers and
airlines since the beginning of commercial flight.
Using advanced fuel tank inerting technologies,
Honeywell has delivered the first FAA-certified
solution that enhances the safety of commercial
air transport. Our On-Board Inert Gas Generation
System (OBIGGS) substantially reduces the
possibility of ignition of flammable fuel vapors
in an aircraft’s fuel tank by lowering the oxygen
concentration below the level that will support
combustion. The result is safer aircraft operations.
There are three major causes of fuel tank
explosions as noted by the FAA*. All of which
are reduced by OBIGGS.
The first source is electrical arcing that may occur
if a part of the insulation on the electrical wire
bundles that run through the fuel tanks wears off,
exposing a small patch of bare wire, often not
visually discernable, that contacts a metal surface.
Second are friction sparks that can occur from
rotating components, such as a steel fuel pump
impeller, rubbing on the pump inlet check valve.
The final source is auto ignition, where combustion
can occur when the fuel/air mixture spontaneously
ignites from heat; even in the absence of an
ignition source.
Proven solution to cost-effectively enhance commercial aircraft safety
The first FAA-certified commercialair transport system that reduces theprobability of fuel tank explosions.
System Operation
The OBIGGS process starts with processed air,
which is conditioned to optimum pressure and
temperature and then passed through a series
of Air Separation Modules (ASM). The ASMs
separate the oxygen from the process air through
a permeable gas separation membrane, producing
primarily nitrogen-enriched air (NEA). The NEA is
delivered to the fuel tank where it displaces the
flammable fuel/air mixture to reduce the risk of
an explosion or fire.
The system consists of either an independent
Thermal Control Unit (TCU) or one that is
integrated with the Environmental Control System
(ECS), along with the Air Separation Unit (ASU)
and instrumentation to control the operation
and distribution of air to the fuel tanks.
Key OBIGGS Components
The following is a typical list of components
that are used in the fuel tank inerting system:
� Pressure regulating and shut-off valve
� Heat exchanger to condition the temperature
� High efficiency ozone converter to ensure
long ASM life
� Turbo compressor to condition the pressure
(not required for all applications)
� Valves used to control NEA distribution and
flow modes
� Pressure, temperature and oxygen sensors
� Contaminant filter
� Air separation modules
� Honeywell digital controller with full
built-in-test display
Leading Technologies
As a leading systems integrator, Honeywell is
responsible for the overall design, performance
and integration of our fuel tank inerting systems
and has formed industry partnerships to ensure
the best technologies are incorporated into
our OBIGGS solutions. Our fuel tank inerting
technologies have been installed on select
aircraft since 2005 for an in-service evaluation
and have accumulated over 20,000 flight hours
of proven operation.
Key OBIGGSAdvantages
� Integrated withexisting ECS toensure minimalaircraft impact
� Low air flowconsumptionensures minimalfuel-burn impact
� Extensive databaseof component designdata to ensure highcomponent reliability
� State-of-the-artoxygen sensingequipment
� Full developmentand test facilitiesto ensure systemoperability andtechnology readiness
� Over 50 years ofsystems engineeringand integration ofcomplex mechanicaland pneumaticaircraft systems
� Global supportnetwork to meetall productsupport needs
Preconditioned air from thethermal control unit
Oxygen Enriched Air (OEA)is vented overboard
Permeable membrane separatesoxygen from the process air
Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA)delivered to the fuel tanks
OEA
NEA
Temperature control valve
Check valve
Fan
Heat exchanger
Ozone converter
Thermal Control Unit Air Separation Unit
*FAA Initial Regulatory Evaluation – Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction Report
HWELL3272-OBIGGsLet_FA.qxp:C61-0689-000-000 5/20/08 10:34 AM Page 3