Jet-A Vaporization In an Experimental Tank Part II: Experimental Results at Atmospheric and Sub-Atmospheric Pressures Robert Ian Ochs Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working Group Meeting Atlantic City, New Jersey November 5, 2003

Fuel Flammability Prediction Computational model written by Professor Polymeropoulos of Rutgers University Uses principles of heat and mass transfer to predict vapor composition

Overview Fuel vaporization experimentation is performed at W.J.H. Technical Center at Atlantic City Airport, NJ Experimental data consists of hydrocarbon concentrations and temperatures as functions of time Data is input into computer model and compared to calculated vapor composition

Model Inputs Liquid fuel, tank surface temperature profiles Pressure and outside air temperatures as functions time Fuel composition (volume fractions of C5- C20 Alkanes) from Woodrow (2003) Tank dimensions and fuel loading

Model Outputs Hydrocarbon concentration profile Ullage temperature profile

Experimental Setup Fuel tank – 36”x36”x24”, ¼” aluminum Sample ports –Heated hydrocarbon sample line –Pressurization of the sample for sub-atmospheric pressure experiments –Intermittent (at 10 minute intervals) 30 sec long sampling FID hydrocarbon analyzer, cal. w/2% propane 12 thermocouples Blanket heater for uniform floor heating Unheated walls and ceiling JP-8 Fuel

Experimental Setup (continued) Fuel tank inside environmental chamber –Programmable variation of chamber pressure and temperature using: Vacuum pump system Air heating and refrigeration system

Experimental Setup (continued)

Thermocouple Locations

Experimental Procedure Fill tank with specified quantity of fuel Adjust chamber pressure and temperature to desired values, let equilibrate for 1-2 hours Begin to record data with DAS Take initial hydrocarbon reading to get initial quasi-equilibrium fuel vapor concentration Set tank pressure and temperature as well as the temperature variation Experiment concludes when hydrocarbon concentration levels off and quasi-equilibrium is attained

Experimental Results- Sea Level

Experimental Results- 10,000 ft.

Experimental Results- 20,000 ft.

Experimental Results Pressure and Temperature Variation

Experimental Results- Hydrocarbon Profiles

Conclusions and Future Work Complete verification at lower pressures (6.9 psia and below) Use existing flight data to simulate entire flight profiles