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Author
Hamins, A. | Cleary, T. G. | Yang, J. C.
Title
Analysis of the Wright Patterson Full-Scale Engine Nacelle Fire Suppression Experiments.
Coporate
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Report
NISTIR 6193, November 1997, 121 p.
Keywords
aircraft safety | nacelle fires | blowout velocity | flame extinguishment | flammability limits | halogenated compounds | ignition | sprays | fire suppression
Identifiers
Solid Propellant Gas Generators (SPGG)
Abstract
An analysis is presented on the full-scale suppression experiments conducted during 1996 and 1997 in the F-22 engine nacelle fire simulator at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Experiments investigated the relative effectiveness of halogenated agents and solid propellant gas generators (SPGG) in suppressing a series of spray fires with and without a fuel re-ignition source. Several agents were tested including halon 1301, HFC-125, and two basic types of SPGG which included those that produced inert gases in conjunction with a fine solid particulate (some which contained K₂CO₃), and those that produced inert gases only. The SPGG devices were more or less effective depending on the agent composition and the agent delivery rate. The SPGG effluent which contained a significant percentage of K₂CO₃ particulate was particularly effective for re-ignition protection, a scenario which dominates agent mass requirements for the compressed halogenated liquids. A number of measurements were made during the suppression tests. Measurements included gas temperatures, the re-ignition source temperature, the cold-flow agent concentrations (no fuel spray or fire present), and velocity measurements. This information was with the different suppressant types. A simple model for SPGG delivery was developed. Assuming plug type flow, the transient average agent concentrations were calculated in the nacelle and compared to measurements. The results give reasonable agreement.