Jean Campfield

The following legend will be applicable only to data furnished to the United States Government.

D. Gross, G. Naterlla

Quantitative measurements of the total heat release by selected building materials were made during an inter-laboratory study of the Potential Heat Test Method. Seven of the eleven participating laboratories ranked the five materials in the same order, and a single ranking change for three other laboratories would yield identical rankings. The general magnitude of within laboratory repeatability and between laboratory reproducibility for composite materials of generally low potential heat are indicated by statistical analysis of the results.

Results are reported on the effect of the amount of combustion promoter used and on differences in the first and second phase values. A discussion is presented on the effects of materials sampling and on certain features of the experimental procedure which require special care. A tentative test method standard, containing complete details of the test procedure, is included s an appendix

Ken Posey, Jr

Fifty-five modified fuels were tested and rated for their ability to reduce aircraft post-crash fires. The candidate fuels were subjected to a seven-part rating scheme in which combustion and physical properties were examined under both static and dynamic conditions. Measurements were made of flash point, rate of vapor release, burn rate, surface flame propagation rate and fuel spread rate (ignited), as well as fireball size under impact conditions (drop test) and fireball size with sample propelled by a catapult device. Fuels gelled with either alkyl-hydroxbutyramides, amine diisocyananets, A1-2 ethylhexanoate (aluminum octoate) or a styrene type polymer as well as an emulsified fuel were found to provide marked safety benefits. The alykyl-hydroxbutramide gels, the amine diisocyonates and the emulsion had a firm or stiff consistency which would present a serious tank feed down problem in present air craft. The polymer gel was pourable but contained harmful sodium and required a relatively high polymer concentration, and the polymer was not compatible with the de0icer contained in JP-4. The aluminum octoate gel was selected as the best of the candidate fuels tested. It was pourable, provided marked safety benefits, required only a low concentration (1%) was stable, noncorosive and was easily prepared.

Eugene P. Klueg, James E. DeMaree

The potential explosive and fire hazards and methods of detecting and controlling in-flight fires on modern aircraft powerplant installations were investigated under full-scale simulated low altitude flight conditions. Modifications were made to the pod-mounted turbofan engine test article to extend this program scope beyond the normal range of variables present on the installation.

The test program consisted of five studies: (1) environomental conditions producing thermal ignition of combustible mixtures and ignition characteristics, (2) characteristics of nacelle fires (3) system performance and installation requirements for fire and overheat detection, (4) requirements for extinguishing and controlling fires, and (5) effects of fires and explosions on the powerplant installation.

The results of this program are presented as fire safety design criteria and engineering data. The efects of environmental conditions and thermal ignition and the characteristics of ignition ar reported as a function of the amount, location and type of fluid leakage. The size, intensity, radiation level, and propagation rate of nacelle fires are related to flight condition, fluid type, and fluid leakage characteristics. Fire detection requirements and the feasibility of abbreviated and remotely located sensors are presented as a function of detector operating characteristics, available detection time, nacelle design and fire characteristics. Fire extinguishing requirements are related to the location, size, intensity and duration of the fires, flight conditions, nacelle ventilation and the tpe extinguishing agent and container. The resistance of the nacelle and engine components to fire and explosive damage and means of controlling and preventing the spread of fire are reported.

Andrew J. Atkinson

Performance evaluation of a typical gas turbine engine combustion system was conducted to determine the combustion characteristics of two gelled Jet A fuels

Testing of an emulsified fuel was terminated due to separation of the emulsion by the shearing action of the boost pump in the system. The conclusions by the shearing action of the boost pump in the system. The conclusions reached (1) indicate the feasibility of employing gelled fuels from a combustion standpoint and, (2) demonstrate filtration, atomization, and deposition problems.