Enhancing Aircraft Survivabilitythrough

Implementation of Lightweight On-Board Inert Gas Generating Systems (OBIGGS)

IHSS – Montreal, Canada

September 2005

IHSS – Montreal, Canada

September 2005

Classification Level – UNCLASSIFIED Briefing

Presentation Outline

• Current Platforms with OBIGGS

• Aircraft Survivability Chain

• What is The Risk

• Addressing The Risk

• Comparative Review of Available Technologies

• OBIGGS Technology Overview

• Aircraft Parameters Drive OBIGGS Sizing

• Non-Developmental OBIGGS Solutions

• OBIGGS Maintenance and Logistics

• Briefing Summary

• Current Platforms with OBIGGS

• Aircraft Survivability Chain

• What is The Risk

• Addressing The Risk

• Comparative Review of Available Technologies

• OBIGGS Technology Overview

• Aircraft Parameters Drive OBIGGS Sizing

• Non-Developmental OBIGGS Solutions

• OBIGGS Maintenance and Logistics

• Briefing Summary

OBIGGS Equipped Aircraft

Aircraft Survivability Chain

Avoid detection

Avoid engagement

Avoid damage

Crash worthiness

OBIGGS

What Is The Risk

• Fuel Tank Ullage – Explosive Mixture of

Fuel-Rich Vapors and Air• Fuel vapor can cause catastrophic damage

• 9 - 12% oxygen limit

• Protect Against Enemy Ground Fire Threat

• Protect Against Static/Electrical Discharge

• Properly Address the Avoid Damage

Segment of the Aircraft Survivability Chain

• Fuel Tank Ullage – Explosive Mixture of

Fuel-Rich Vapors and Air• Fuel vapor can cause catastrophic damage

• 9 - 12% oxygen limit

• Protect Against Enemy Ground Fire Threat

• Protect Against Static/Electrical Discharge

• Properly Address the Avoid Damage

Segment of the Aircraft Survivability Chain

Typical Aircraft Survivability

•Aircraft requirements call for ballistic

tolerance.• Fuel System is always a major issue

• Addresses the “Avoid Damage” segment of the Aircraft Survivability Chain

•Self-sealing fuel tanks are typically

implemented.

Does Not Provide a Complete Solution

•Aircraft requirements call for ballistic

tolerance.• Fuel System is always a major issue

• Addresses the “Avoid Damage” segment of the Aircraft Survivability Chain

•Self-sealing fuel tanks are typically

implemented.

Does Not Provide a Complete Solution

Properly Addressing The Risk• Major Issue - Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Not Sufficient

• OBIGGS Required to Address Explosive Nature of Fuel Tank Vapors

• High Aircraft Vulnerability based on Fuel Tank Volume and Location.

• Requirements Need to Properly Address A Solution • Incorporate Wording for Self Sealing Tanks and Fuel Tank Vapor

Protection

• Vapor Protection Gets OBIGGS

Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks + OBIGGS = Full Protection!!

• Major Issue - Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Not Sufficient

• OBIGGS Required to Address Explosive Nature of Fuel Tank Vapors

• High Aircraft Vulnerability based on Fuel Tank Volume and Location.

• Requirements Need to Properly Address A Solution • Incorporate Wording for Self Sealing Tanks and Fuel Tank Vapor

Protection

• Vapor Protection Gets OBIGGS

Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks + OBIGGS = Full Protection!!

Comparative Review ~ Available Technologies

Reticulated Foam• Flexible• Lowers Fuel Tank Capacity• Significant Weight Increase• Maintenance Impact

– Take foam out problems– Hazardous material disposal– Degrades over time

Halon• Ozone-Depleting Chemical• Logistics and Maintenance• One time use• Banned by Montreal Protocol• Research for Friendly Options

Reticulated Foam• Flexible• Lowers Fuel Tank Capacity• Significant Weight Increase• Maintenance Impact

– Take foam out problems– Hazardous material disposal– Degrades over time

Halon• Ozone-Depleting Chemical• Logistics and Maintenance• One time use• Banned by Montreal Protocol• Research for Friendly Options

Liquid Nitrogen• Weight Savings Over Foam• Hazardous• Major Logistics Impact

– Huge tail • One time use

Gaseous Nitrogen• Heavier Than Liquid• Higher Pressure - Safety

OBIGGS• Unlimited Nitrogen Supply• Low Weight System• Low Life Cycle Cost• Negligible Logistics Impact

Liquid Nitrogen• Weight Savings Over Foam• Hazardous• Major Logistics Impact

– Huge tail • One time use

Gaseous Nitrogen• Heavier Than Liquid• Higher Pressure - Safety

OBIGGS• Unlimited Nitrogen Supply• Low Weight System• Low Life Cycle Cost• Negligible Logistics Impact

Molecular Sieve OBIGGS Technology

• Optimal Performance ~ Low Pressure 15-40 Optimal Performance ~ Low Pressure 15-40 psig & Temp. 30-120 psig & Temp. 30-120 ooFF

• Physical Separation ~ Not Chemical Physical Separation ~ Not Chemical

• Utilizes Molecular Sieve – Zeolite CrystalUtilizes Molecular Sieve – Zeolite Crystal

• Applies Pressure Swing Adsorption ProcessApplies Pressure Swing Adsorption Process

• Same Process used for On-Board Oxygen Same Process used for On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)Generating System (OBOGS)

Molecular Sieve OBIGGS Process

PR/SO - press reducer shut-off valve

Molecular Sieve OBIGGS Process

• Molecular Sieve In Concentrator Beds.

• Cycling Valve Controls Charge and Vent

• Pressure Swing Adsorbtion (PSA) Process• Step A:

– Bed 1: Pressurize with air through inlet--

O2 adsorbed, N2 passes through check valve to outlet.– Bed 2: Exhaust, O2 desorbed & vented through inlet.

• Step B:– Bed 1: Exhaust, O2 desorbed & vented through inlet. – Bed 2: Pressurize with air through inlet--

O2 adsorbed, N2 passes through check valve to outlet.

Hollow Fiber Membrane OBIGGS Technology

• Optimal Performance ~ High Pressure (35-55 psig) & Temp.

(160-200 ooFF)

• Multiple Base Polymers

• Physical Separation Process ~ Not Chemical

• Selective Permeation Through Separating Layer

• Optimal Performance ~ High Pressure (35-55 psig) & Temp.

(160-200 ooFF)

• Multiple Base Polymers

• Physical Separation Process ~ Not Chemical

• Selective Permeation Through Separating Layer

Inlet Air Shut-Off Valve

HFM Check Valve

Filter

Waste Gas

Oxygen Monitor

93-99 % N93-99 % N22

Aircraft Parameters Drive OBIGGS Sizing

•Fuel Tank Capacity and Ullage

•Initial Inerting Goal – Protection Time to Inert

•Vent System Pressurization (Climb / Dive

Valve Settings)

•Rate of Descent

System Trades Drive Technology Selection

and Requirements Compromise

•Fuel Tank Capacity and Ullage

•Initial Inerting Goal – Protection Time to Inert

•Vent System Pressurization (Climb / Dive

Valve Settings)

•Rate of Descent

System Trades Drive Technology Selection

and Requirements Compromise

Non-Developmental OBIGGS Solutions

•Helicopter Applications• Attack/Combat Search & Rescue/Utility

– Total Integrated Weight ~ 30 to 40 Pounds– Air Consumption ~ 1 Pound/Minute Maximum

• Multi-Mission Cargo/Transport– Total Integrated Weight ~ 50 to 60 Pounds– Air Consumption ~ 2 Pound/Minute

•Helicopter Applications• Attack/Combat Search & Rescue/Utility

– Total Integrated Weight ~ 30 to 40 Pounds– Air Consumption ~ 1 Pound/Minute Maximum

• Multi-Mission Cargo/Transport– Total Integrated Weight ~ 50 to 60 Pounds– Air Consumption ~ 2 Pound/Minute

Non-Developmental OBIGGS Solutions

•Military Cargo/Transport Applications• Total Integrated Weight ~ 250 - 400 Pounds

• Air Consumption ~ 7 - 16 Pounds/Minute

• Implement Through Modular Air Separation Modules

•Military Cargo/Transport Applications• Total Integrated Weight ~ 250 - 400 Pounds

• Air Consumption ~ 7 - 16 Pounds/Minute

• Implement Through Modular Air Separation Modules

OBIGGS Maintenance/Logistics

• Operational to Depot Level Support

• Inlet Air Filter – Only Scheduled Maintenance Action• Interval Approx. 1,000 Hour Interval

• Include In Planned Aircraft Maintenance

• 10-15 Minute Maintenance Action

• No GSE or Special Tools Required

• Estimated Yearly Support Costs/100 Aircraft• Based on 20 Operational Hours/Month/Aircraft

• Less Than $1,000 Per Aircraft/Year

• Operational to Depot Level Support

• Inlet Air Filter – Only Scheduled Maintenance Action• Interval Approx. 1,000 Hour Interval

• Include In Planned Aircraft Maintenance

• 10-15 Minute Maintenance Action

• No GSE or Special Tools Required

• Estimated Yearly Support Costs/100 Aircraft• Based on 20 Operational Hours/Month/Aircraft

• Less Than $1,000 Per Aircraft/Year

Briefing Summary• Critical to Address Explosive Nature of Fuel

Tank Ullages.

• Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Does Not Completely Address Ballistic Tolerance

• OBIGGS and Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Are Complimentary

• Incorporate Adequate Verbiage in Requirements Documents – Fuel Tank Vapor Protection

• OBIGGS ~ Technically Feasible & Realistic for Today’s Aircraft

• Critical to Address Explosive Nature of Fuel Tank Ullages.

• Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Does Not Completely Address Ballistic Tolerance

• OBIGGS and Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Are Complimentary

• Incorporate Adequate Verbiage in Requirements Documents – Fuel Tank Vapor Protection

• OBIGGS ~ Technically Feasible & Realistic for Today’s Aircraft

Contact Information:

Robert Demidowicz

Business Development Manager

Carleton Life Support Systems

Telephone: 563-383-6310

E-Mail: rdemidowicz@carletonls.com

Contact Information:

Robert Demidowicz

Business Development Manager

Carleton Life Support Systems

Telephone: 563-383-6310

E-Mail: rdemidowicz@carletonls.com

Thank You!