Aircraft fuel tank inerting

摘要

An inerting system for inerting a flammable gas comprising a flammable vapor and oxygen in a vented, controlled atmosphere container (105) is described. A method of inerting involves compressing the flammable gas (115), removing oxygen from the compressed gas utilizing a separator (135) and feeding oxygen-depleted gas to the container. Also addressed is a method of reducing the potential for hazard from combustion of an aircraft fuel tank. The method calls for removing a fraction of the oxygen from ambient air at the aircraft fuel dispensing site and using the resulting nitrogen enriched gas to reduce the oxygen concentration within the aircraft fuel tank of an on-ground aircraft. Ullage washing and/or fuel scrubbing are used to reduce the oxygen concentration. A system located at or near an airport for providing reduced oxygen content aircraft fuel and for ullage washing of aircraft fuel tanks is also disclosed.