Nitrogen membrane - Aerospace  [ Return towards  Nitrogen membrane  ]

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• Membrane based gas generator system

Air Liquide is the leader in the field of aircraft fuel tank inerting via membrane based OBIGGS (On Board Inert Gas Generator System). This emerging market takes advantage of the inherent strengths of Air Liquide's membrane technology.

Air Liquide has the most extensive list of OBIGGS systems provided to the aircraft industry. , L.P (Newport, Delaware, USA) has provided OBIGGS modules for fighter jets, cargo aircraft and helicopters.

OBIGGS systems prevent ignition of fuel tank vapors by providing inert gas generated on board the aircraft. OBIGGS generated nitrogen enriched air blankets the aircraft fuel tank and displaces the flammable fuel/air mixture. Vulnerability to lightning, static discharge, or enemy fire for military aircraft, is greatly reduced by OBIGGS.

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• How does OBIGGS works ?

Engine bleed air is passed through a  membrane, or membrane separation air module, where the oxygen needed to support fires or explosions is removed. The optimum OBIGGS design varies with the type of aircraft and its mission profile. The OBIGGS system consist of bleed air conditioning equipment, the air separation module, and the appropriate instrumentation to control the operation and distribution of nitrogen enriched air to the fuel tanks.

The MEDAL air separation membrane is the heart of the OBIGGS system and is extremely reliable because it has no moving parts. MEDAL's hollow fiber technology produces the most productive and energy efficient membranes in the industry. This translates into OBIGGS systems with lower weight and smaller space envelope requirements. 

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• MEDAL Multi-circuit (Concentric) Module Patent

Air Liquide MEDAL has patented the concept of fabricating 2 independent circuits within a single module. This concept (commonly referred to as a concentric module) is being used in most aircraft OBIGGS designs to reduce size and weight. Typically a small circuit operates continuously and a larger circuit operates only for brief periods (i.e. decent), reducing bleed air consumption. 

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