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Methodology for inerting system analysis in the long-range aircraft preliminary design phase

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Abstract

This paper aims to specify a methodology for an optimized inerting system conceptual design based on fuel tank flammability analysis defined by rules for commercial aircraft certification proposal to evaluate the impact on engine bleed consumption in a modernized commercial long-range aircraft model. This work was carried out according to the following steps: (1) estimation of aircraft geometric tank features from limited data; (2) development of tank thermal model to estimate bulk fuel temperature based on flight performance aircraft, fuel consumption/transfer in the tank, presence of heat sources and external airflow heat exchange; (3) flammability analysis based on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirement methodology; (4) conception of an inerting system model as a flammability reduction means based on tank gas mixture model, onboard inert gas generation system publicly available data from FAA previous studies and proposed inerting gas distribution model; (5) incorporation of inerting system in the flammability model and reassessment of the fuel tank flammability; (6) analysis of the impact in engine bleed air consumption and specific fuel consumption due to the designed inerting system. As a final result, a methodology to increase the safety in aircraft operation was obtained, considering the current most common technology used to reduce the fuel tank flammability in commercial aircraft, the inerting system. This strategy is applicable for new aircraft in a development phase and also allows the accomplishment of modernizing designs for existing aircraft following current safety regulations.

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Abbreviations

ASM:

Air separation modules

APS:

Air preparation system

CTR:

Center

CWT:

Center wing tanks

ECS:

Environmental conditioning system

FRM:

Flammability reduction means

FAA:

Federal Aviation Administration

FAFE:

Fleet average flammability exposure

FCV:

Flow control valve

FEET:

Flammability exposure evaluation time

FNmax:

Maximum available net thrust in the engine

FTFAM:

Fuel tank flammability assessment method

GND:

Ground

HF:

High flow

LF:

Low flow

LFL:

Lower flammability limit

NEA:

Nitrogen-enriched air

OBIGGS:

Onboard inert gas generation system

OEA:

Oxygen enriched

SFC:

Specific fuel consumption

TAT:

Total air temperature (Stagnation temperature)

TIT:

Turbine inlet temperature

UFL:

Upper flammability limit

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Commercial Aviation Department, Embraer S.A. – São José Dos Campos (Matriz), São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12227-901, Brazil

    Valdi Freire da Fonseca Filho

  2. Aerodynamics, Propulsion and Energy Area, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José Dos Campos, São Paulo, 12228-900, Brazil

    Valdi Freire da Fonseca Filho

  3. Propulsion Department, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José Dos Campos, São Paulo, 12228-900, Brazil

    Pedro Teixeira Lacava

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  1. Valdi Freire da Fonseca Filho
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  2. Pedro Teixeira Lacava
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Correspondence to Valdi Freire da Fonseca Filho.

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da Fonseca Filho, V.F., Lacava, P.T. Methodology for inerting system analysis in the long-range aircraft preliminary design phase. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 45, 91 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-023-04014-2

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