Catalytic fuel tank inerting system

US10569896B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (HSC) · US

Inventors

• Sean C. Emerson · Broad Brook, US
• Barbara Brenda Botros · Vernon, US
• Zissis A. Dardas · Worcester, US
• Lance L. Smith · Town of West Hartford, US
• Eric Surawski · Hebron, US
• Catherine Thibaud · Cork, IE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 25, 2020
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/40
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A fuel tank inerting system is disclosed. In addition to a fuel tank, the system includes a catalytic reactor with an inlet, an outlet, a reactive flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a catalyst on the reactive flow path. The catalytic reactor is arranged to receive fuel from the fuel tank and air from an air source, and to react the fuel and air along the reactive flow path to generate an inert gas. The system also includes an inert gas flow path from the catalytic reactor to the fuel tank. The system also includes (a) an air distributor in the catalytic reactor arranged to distribute air along the reactive flow path, or (b) non-uniform catalyst loading or non-uniform catalyst composition along the reactive flow path, or both (a) and (b).