Nitrogen production for fire and explosion protection in aircraft
Nitrogen plays a critical role in aviation safety by reducing the risk of fuel tank explosions and fire protection. Modern aircraft use nitrogen-enriched air (NEA) in On-Board Inert Gas Generation Systems (OBIGGS) to lower oxygen concentrations in fuel tanks, creating a safer operating environment. SEPURAN® N₂ membrane technology efficiently separates nitrogen from compressed air, providing a reliable and energy-efficient source of nitrogen for aircraft inerting applications. With its compact design, continuous operation, and high nitrogen generation efficiency, membrane-based nitrogen systems support the stringent safety requirements of the aviation industry while minimizing space and energy consumption.
Evonik OBIGGS systems for aircraft fuel tank inerting
Resulting from legislation by the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2008, most commercial aircraft today are equipped with a so-called OBIGGS system, an On-board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS).
The On-board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS) found in these aircraft, incorporates Evonik’s SEPURAN® N2 gas separation module to separate air into oxygen and nitrogen. The nitrogen-enriched air (NEA) is then pumped into the fuel tank, where it displaces oxygen, thereby reducing the risk of explosion. The OBIGGS systems are able to reduce the oxygen content in the tank from 21% to 12%, and run continuously as soon as the aircraft engines are running.
