Honeywell Aerospace

Honeywell is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, wheels and brakes systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations. For more information on Honeywell Aerospace, visit us online at www.honeywell.com/aero

On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS)

Global Network of Support Services

Honeywells resources span the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and the South Pacific to deliver dedicated 24/7 service support. As a world leader in aviation aftermarket services, our global repair centers, logistics network and field services engineering teams are able to quickly repair, supply, and warranty equipment whenever and wherever it is needed.

Find out more To get more information on our OBIGGS solution, send us an email at obiggs@honeywell.com

Honeywell Aerospace Honeywell 1944 East Sky Harbor Circle Phoenix, Arizona 85034 North America: 1.800.601.3099 International: 1.602.365.3099 www.honeywell.com
C61-0689-000-001 May 2008 2008 Honeywell International Inc.

Improving aircraft safety through fuel tank inerting technology

The first FAA-certified commercial air transport system that reduces the probability of fuel tank explosions.

Proven solution to cost-effectively enhance commercial aircraft safety

The risk of fuel tank explosions has been a common concern of aircraft manufacturers and airlines since the beginning of commercial flight. Using advanced fuel tank inerting technologies, Honeywell has delivered the first FAA-certified solution that enhances the safety of commercial air transport. Our On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS) substantially reduces the possibility of ignition of flammable fuel vapors in an aircrafts fuel tank by lowering the oxygen concentration below the level that will support combustion. The result is safer aircraft operations. There are three major causes of fuel tank explosions as noted by the FAA*. All of which are reduced by OBIGGS. The first source is electrical arcing that may occur if a part of the insulation on the electrical wire bundles that run through the fuel tanks wears off, exposing a small patch of bare wire, often not visually discernable, that contacts a metal surface. Second are friction sparks that can occur from rotating components, such as a steel fuel pump impeller, rubbing on the pump inlet check valve. The final source is auto ignition, where combustion can occur when the fuel/air mixture spontaneously ignites from heat; even in the absence of an ignition source.

System Operation
The OBIGGS process starts with processed air, which is conditioned to optimum pressure and temperature and then passed through a series of Air Separation Modules (ASM). The ASMs separate the oxygen from the process air through a permeable gas separation membrane, producing primarily nitrogen-enriched air (NEA). The NEA is delivered to the fuel tank where it displaces the flammable fuel/air mixture to reduce the risk of an explosion or fire. The system consists of either an independent Thermal Control Unit (TCU) or one that is integrated with the Environmental Control System (ECS), along with the Air Separation Unit (ASU) and instrumentation to control the operation and distribution of air to the fuel tanks.

Key OBIGGS Components

The following is a typical list of components that are used in the fuel tank inerting system:
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Key OBIGGS Advantages

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Pressure regulating and shut-off valve Heat exchanger to condition the temperature High efficiency ozone converter to ensure long ASM life

Integrated with existing ECS to ensure minimal aircraft impact Low air flow consumption ensures minimal fuel-burn impact Extensive database of component design data to ensure high component reliability State-of-the-art oxygen sensing equipment Full development and test facilities to ensure system operability and technology readiness Over 50 years of systems engineering and integration of complex mechanical and pneumatic aircraft systems Global support network to meet all product support needs

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Turbo compressor to condition the pressure (not required for all applications)

Valves used to control NEA distribution and flow modes

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Pressure, temperature and oxygen sensors Contaminant filter Air separation modules
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Honeywell digital controller with full built-in-test display

Leading Technologies
OEA Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA) delivered to the fuel tanks

Thermal Control Unit

Temperature control valve Check valve

Air Separation Unit

As a leading systems integrator, Honeywell is responsible for the overall design, performance and integration of our fuel tank inerting systems and has formed industry partnerships to ensure the best technologies are incorporated into our OBIGGS solutions. Our fuel tank inerting
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NEA

Fan Preconditioned air from the thermal control unit Oxygen Enriched Air (OEA) is vented overboard Heat exchanger Permeable membrane separates oxygen from the process air Ozone converter

technologies have been installed on select aircraft since 2005 for an in-service evaluation and have accumulated over 20,000 flight hours of proven operation.
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*FAA Initial Regulatory Evaluation Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction Report