Analyser aids jet fuel safety research

Rosemount Analytical NDIR analyser technology is used for in-flight measurements on Boeing 747 aircraft fuel tanks to assist the FAA evaluate safer jet fuel solutions.

Emerson Process Management has applied the Rosemount Analytical NDIR (nondispersive infra-red) analyser technology to in-flight measurements on Boeing 747 aircraft fuel tanks to assist the FAA evaluate safer jet fuel solutions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for research on aircraft safety issues, and has a current project to investigate reducing the possibility of in-flight fuel tank explosions.

Having performed laboratory tests on ideas for providing safer jet fuel solutions, it was not possible for the FAA to obtain real-time in-flight data on aircraft fuel tank atmospheres.

The laboratory based instruments use flame ionisation detection (FID) techniques, which are unsuitable for in-flight use.

Discussions with Emerson engineers centred on the possibility of using the Rosemount Analytical MLT 2 multicomponent gas analyser with two nondispersive infra-red (NDIR) benches in parallel.

In tests the MLT 2 succeeded in giving consistent readings when compared with the existing FID detectors.

The rugged design of the MLT 2 enables the analyser to withstand the vibration, pressure and temperature changes inherent in a flight environment, while providing accurate, real-time hydrocarbon flammability data from the atmosphere in the aircraft fuel tank.

The aircraft chosen for conducting these tests was the NASA Boeing 747 Space Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

To meet the needs of the FAA for in-flight use at high altitude, Emerson modified the standard Rosemount Analytical MLT 2 system to increase the temperature of the analyser compartment to 120C, ensuring temperatures high enough to avoid any jet-fuel condensation.

The MLT 2 design was also capable of accepting a continuous purge of the sample compartment, for safety purposes.

The analyser was shown to measure hydrocarbons at 2% propane equivalent with an accuracy of +/-0.02% from sea level to 12,000m.

Prior to the flight tests, the FAA had established several predictive models with varying temperature and altitude (pressure) conditions.

On completion of the testing, the actual in-flight hydrocarbon measurements served as a valuable tool for determining how well the FAA models worked under these varying conditions.

The FAA research on this topic is continuing, with an additional Rosemount Analytical high temperature MLT 2 analyser now on order.

The Rosemount Analytical MLT series of analysers from Emerson Process Management offer multicomponent, multimethod analysis using infra-red, ultraviolet, thermal conductivity, paramagnetic and electrochemical oxygen sensor technologies.

The MLT 2 gas analysers are capable of measuring up to five gas components, in a single or dual-compartment wall-mounted enclosure.

The high temperature infra-red analyser capability developed for the recent FAA tests is now a standard feature of the MLT 2.

Gas analysers are typically used for chemical process analysis, atmosphere monitoring in metallurgical hardening and carburising furnaces, and for coal or wood gasification.

They are also used for ambient air monitoring in chemical plants, for gaseous emissions and stack monitoring.

The higher temperature applications include high water vapour and dew point measurement, flue gas measurement and hot chemical gases process control.

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