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Ground-Based Inerting of a Boeing 737 Center Wing Fuel Tank
Technical Paper
2001-01-2656
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
A series of aircraft flight and ground tests were performed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Boeing Company to evaluate the effectiveness of ground-based inerting (GBI) as a means of reducing the flammability of center wing fuel tanks (CWTs) in the commercial transport fleet. Boeing made available a Boeing 737–800 for modification and testing. The fuel tank was instrumented with gas sample tubing and thermocouples and tests were performed inerting the CWT to 8 percent oxygen to allow for a measurement of fuel tank inerting and heating. Results showed that under quiescent conditions the oxygen concentration in the fuel tank remained somewhat constant, keeping the CWT inert (below 10- to 12-percent oxygen by volume) for relatively long periods of time. Certain wind conditions and flight conditions created cross venting within the CWT that allowed for significant increases in the oxygen. A modification to the vent system created a significant increase in the benefit of the GBI even at low to moderate fuel loads.
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Citation
Cavage, W., "Ground-Based Inerting of a Boeing 737 Center Wing Fuel Tank," SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-2656, 2001, https://doi.org/10.4271/2001-01-2656.Also In
References
- 26 June 1998
- “Fuel Tank Harmonization Working Group Final Report,” Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee July 1998
- “Ground and Flight Testing of a B-737 Center Wing Fuel Tank with Nitrogen-Enriched Air,” Burns, Michael Cavage, William M. August 2001
- “Inerting of a Vented Aircraft Fuel Tank Test Article with Nitrogen-Enriched Air,” Burns, Michael Cavage, William M. 19 May 2001