Next Generation OBIGGS: Developments at Phyre Technologies

1
Next Generation OBIGGS Developments at Phyre
Technologies

• Santosh Y. Limaye
• Phyre Technologies, Inc.
• November 2, 2005
• Atlantic City, NJ
• Presented at International Aircraft Systems Fire
  Protection Working Group Meeting

2
The Concept

• Treat the ullage from the fuel tank to create
  inert gas
• Inexpensive catalytic system
• Avoid the use of bleed air
• This concept resulted from liquid fuel
  de-oxygenation system development

3
High Heat Sink FuelsEnable Advanced Propulsion
gt1300 F
Deposition is The Significant Challenge for High
Heat Sink Fuels
Heat sink relative to JP-8
900 F
550 F
425 F
325 F
Near term
Mid - Term
4
Quick Review of De-Oxygenation System
Removing dissolved oxygen in fuel prevents
premature oxidation a primary cause of coking.
Dissolved oxygen cholesterol
5
Mass Transfer Issue
Mass Transfer Region
O2 Concentration Gradient
Diesel Droplet in N2 Gas
N2 Bubble in Diesel
6
Does it work? - - YES!
Fuel O2 57.9 5.4 ppm N2 flow 2.5
Liter/Min lpm
7
Results from Testing at AFRL


Run75
Run79/81
Baseline JP-8
PADS Deox JP-8 (Catalyst)
Run80
Run76
JP-8100
PADS Deox JP-8 (Nitrogen)
PADS DeOx JP-8 (LN2)
8
OBIGGS
9
OBIGGS Considerations
15
10
Dilution with Air
Hydrocarbon Vapor Volume Fraction ()
Inert Air Purge
Flammability Region
5
Critical Dilution with Air
5
10
15
20
Oxygen Volume Fraction ()
10
Catalytic Inerting System (CIS) Next Generation
OBIGGS Concept
Make up air to consume hydrocarbon vapor and
pressure equalization
Catalytic Gas Treatment System
lt10 oxygen Fuel vapor CO2 H2O N2
21 oxygen Fuel vapor N2
safety device
Air Fuel Vapor
Pump
Water trap
Fuel
PATENT PENDING
11
CIS System Description
Low Temp. air to air Heat Exchangers
Inlet Oxygen Sample Port
Reverse Flow Valve
Heat Exchanger Heaters
Reverse Flow Valve
Blower
Catalyst Bed, 5 Dia x 4.5length
Inlet
Size 12x12x 40 Capacity 150 CFM of
passes to 10 O2 3
Outlet
Control Unit
Water Drain
Support Systems
Power
Automatic Moisture Drain Valves
Oxygen Sensors
Optional, High Removal Rate, Vapor Fuel Control
12
CIS Catalytic Chemistry
Vapor Pressure of Nonane (Jet Fuel) Vapor Pressure of Nonane (Jet Fuel) Vapor Pressure of Nonane (Jet Fuel) Vapor Pressure of Nonane (Jet Fuel)
T C T K VP Pa Atmospheres
-46.8 226.35 1 0.00001
-26 247.15 10 0.00010
0 273.15 100 0.00097
34 307.15 1,000 0.00971
80.8 353.95 10,000 0.09709
150.3 423.45 100,000 0.97087

• Saturated vapor phase of fuel vapor C9H20
  (Nonane)
• As per DOT/FAA/AR-04/8 report (page 12), the
  precise composition is C9.05H18.01
• Vapor pressure of Nonane is estimated to be 8000
  ppmv at 70F
• Stoichiometric Reaction of 8000 ppmv Nonane will
  consume 112,000 ppmv (or 11.2) oxygen to provide
  70,000 (7) and 40,000 (4) ppmv of CO2 and H2O

.008 _at_ 70F
Stoichiometric Reaction C9H20 14O2 52.67 N2
? 9 CO2 10 H2O 52.67 N2
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Oxygen Removal Rate
Pass O2 Corrected O2 Ratio Corrected/Uncorrected
0 21.00
1 13.82 14.02 1.01
2 9.09 9.45 1.04
3 5.98 6.44 1.08
4 3.94 4.46 1.13

1. If H2O is removed from the product, additional
   fresh air is needed to compensate the gas
   pressure in the reactant.
2. The corrected O2 column shows new concentration
   based on fresh addition of air to replace water
   molecules.
3. Three passes will ensure reduction of O2 below
   10.

14
CSR Model Oxygen Depletion RateFor 450 Cu. Ft.
Ullage
15
Experimental Schematic
Pump
Moisture trap
Catalyst Downstream Temp. CDT
Ullage O2 Conc.
Post Catalyst O2 Conc.
Catalyst
Controller for heater
Oxygen Sensor
Heater
Ullage Volume VU
Flow Rate FR
Catalyst Temp. CT
Fuel Volume VF
Flow Meter
Pressure gage
Fuel Tank
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Initial Results Experiment 1
17
Conclusion

• Benefits
• No need for bleed air, eliminate ozone
  destruction device
• Low temperature process
• Only power necessary blower operation
• Smaller foot-print, lighter weight, lower cost
• Closed loop system
• Ability to reduce oxygen level as well as fuel
  vapor level
• Other Concerns Addressed
• Use of fuel vapor phase means no sulfur
  contamination, no corrosion
• Instead of purging the fuel vapor, it is consumed
  in the process, hence no VOC emissions from the
  tank
• Ability to precisely control gas partial
  pressures
• Next Steps
• Prototype Development
• Testing Phase
• Strategic Partnership Development