HWELL3272-OBIGGsLet_FA.qxp:C61-0689-000-000
5/20/08
10:34 AM
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On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS)
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
Global Network of Support Services
Honeywell’s 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
Improving aircraft safety through
fuel tank inerting technology
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.
HWELL3272-OBIGGsLet_FA.qxp:C61-0689-000-000
5/20/08
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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
The first source is electrical arcing that may occur
System Operation
Key OBIGGS Components
common concern of aircraft manufacturers and
if a part of the insulation on the electrical wire
The OBIGGS process starts with processed air,
The following is a typical list of components
airlines since the beginning of commercial flight.
bundles that run through the fuel tanks wears off,
which is conditioned to optimum pressure and
that are used in the fuel tank inerting system:
Using advanced fuel tank inerting technologies,
exposing a small patch of bare wire, often not
temperature and then passed through a series
■
Honeywell has delivered the first FAA-certified
visually discernable, that contacts a metal surface.
of Air Separation Modules (ASM). The ASMs
solution that enhances the safety of commercial
Second are friction sparks that can occur from
separate the oxygen from the process air through
air transport. Our On-Board Inert Gas Generation
rotating components, such as a steel fuel pump
a permeable gas separation membrane, producing
System (OBIGGS) substantially reduces the
impeller, rubbing on the pump inlet check valve.
primarily nitrogen-enriched air (NEA). The NEA is
possibility of ignition of flammable fuel vapors
in an aircraft’s 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
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
delivered to the fuel tank where it displaces the
■
Heat exchanger to condition the temperature
■
High efficiency ozone converter to ensure
■
Thermal Control Unit (TCU) or one that is
explosions as noted by the FAA*. All of which
■
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
Valves used to control NEA distribution and
■
Pressure, temperature and oxygen sensors
(ECS), along with the Air Separation Unit (ASU)
■
Contaminant filter
and instrumentation to control the operation
■
Air separation modules
■
Honeywell digital controller with full
and distribution of air to the fuel tanks.
■
Turbo compressor to condition the pressure
flow modes
integrated with the Environmental Control System
are reduced by OBIGGS.
Integrated with
existing ECS to
ensure minimal
aircraft impact
(not required for all applications)
The system consists of either an independent
ignition source.
■
long ASM life
flammable fuel/air mixture to reduce the risk of
an explosion or fire.
Pressure regulating and shut-off valve
Key OBIGGS
Advantages
built-in-test display
Leading Technologies
Thermal Control Unit
OEA
NEA
Nitrogen Enriched Air (NEA)
delivered to the fuel tanks
Air Separation Unit
Temperature control valve
Check valve
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
Fan
Preconditioned air from the
thermal control unit
aircraft since 2005 for an in-service evaluation
and have accumulated over 20,000 flight hours
Oxygen Enriched Air (OEA)
is vented overboard
Heat exchanger
Permeable membrane separates
oxygen from the process air
*FAA Initial Regulatory Evaluation – Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction Report
technologies have been installed on select
Ozone converter
of proven operation.