REACTION BASED GAS INERTING (RBGI) SYSTEM FOR MULTI FUEL TANK INERTING Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-007 Topic Title: REACTION BASED GAS INERTING (RBGI) SYSTEM FOR MULTI FUEL TANK INERTING Proposal No.: N101-007-1720 Firm: Engineering and Scientific Innovations, Inc. 6740 Kelseys Oak Ct Cincinnati, Ohio 45248 Contact: Norman Toy Phone: (513) 605-3700 Web Site: www.esi-solutionsinc.com Abstract: The development of a novel reaction based nitrogen inerting system is proposed for reducing ullage Oxygen concentrations below 9% by volume in multiple fuel tanks. The system utilizes solid materials that undergo a chemical reaction to yield high purity nitrogen gas. Furthermore, a unique control system and inerting model algorithm is proposed to adequately supply individual fuel tanks with the appropriate flow rate of nitrogen gas to a tank. A modular based design allows quick servicing of the inerting system and replacing of nitrogen generation units once depleted. This system is a drastic change from permeable membrane based technologies that have inherent disadvantages and have been slow to gain acceptance in military and commercial aircraft applications. During Phase I, Engineering & Scientific Innovations will assemble the key components of the inerting system, primarily from COTS available products. To demonstrate the developed technology, ESI plans to perform a laboratory environment in which multiple fuel tanks are inerted below the 9% Oxygen concentration requirement. Benefits: The proposed reaction based inerting system eliminates many of the limitations of current inerting systems such as high system weight, inability for multi tank inerting, and high operating cost. The inherent system provides "on-demand" Nitrogen inerting and can reduce ullage Oxygen concentrations below 9% in a matter minutes. This timing is crucial as ground based threats are of concern during takeoff and landing. This type of system would be valuable to the commercial aviation industry. The recent FAA rule requiring fuel tank ullage inerting possesses a technical concern for current airframers. Current technology is highly resource intensive and the aviation industry is searching for an efficient and light-weight inerting system. This type of system fits a dual military and commercial aviation application. Return