Abstract: A fuel deoxygenation system for an aircraft includes a hydrocarbon recycler configured to recycle hydrocarbon gas into fuel. The hydrocarbon recycler includes a housing that partially defines an ullage channel configured to fluidly communicate with both an ullage of an aircraft fuel tank and a vent, wherein the housing partially defines a hydrocarbon recirculation channel configured to fluidly communicate with a liquid portion of a fuel tank. The hydrocarbon recycler also includes a membrane defining a sealing wall between the ullage channel and the hydrocarbon recirculation channel such that the membrane is in fluid communication with both the ullage channel and the hydrocarbon recirculation channel, wherein the membrane is configured to be permeable to hydrocarbons such that hydrocarbons in the ullage channel can pass through the membrane to the hydrocarbon recirculation channel and oxygen in the ullage channel to passes through to be vented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel additive which may remove varnish precursor species in a jet fuel. In particular, the fuel additive may be a multi-functional adsorbent which includes a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional interconnected mesoporous or mixed micro-/mesoporous framework and a plurality of internal cavities formed in the mesoporous or mixed micro-/mesoporous framework and the internal cavities include charged sites to accommodate fuel contaminants for varnish formation, such as metal ions and heteroatomic contaminants. In addition, methods of preparing the multi-functional adsorbent and methods for removing varnish precursor species with the fuel additive are provided.

Abstract: A fuel tank system is disclosed that includes a fuel tank and a first fluid flow path between a gas space in the fuel tank and outside of the fuel system. A gas separation membrane is disposed with a first side in communication with the first fluid flow path and a second side in communication with a second fluid flow path. A fluid control device is in communication with the second fluid flow path and is configured to provide fluid flow from the second fluid flow path to a liquid space in the fuel tank or to outside of the fuel system. A prime mover is disposed in communication with the second fluid flow path, and is configured to move fluid on the second fluid flow path from the second side of the separation membrane to the fuel tank liquid space or to outside of the fuel system.

Abstract: A purge system includes an airflow source to provide an airflow, and a fuel tank, including: a tank volume including a tank ullage, at least one inlet, wherein the at least one inlet is in fluid communication with the tank ullage and the airflow source to provide the airflow as an inbound airflow to the tank ullage, and at least one outlet, wherein the at least one outlet is in fluid communication with the tank ullage and an overboard location outside the aircraft to direct the inbound airflow as an outbound airflow from the tank ullage to the overboard location.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system includes a source of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and a fractioning unit configured to receive a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel from the source. The fractioning unit includes a perm-selective membrane configured to separate the portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel into substantially sulfur-free vapors and a sulfur-containing remainder. The system further includes a catalytic oxidation unit configured to receive and react the substantially sulfur-free vapors to produce an inert gas.

Abstract: A system and method for the calculation of a fuel lacquer index using environmental monitoring is disclosed. The system and method may comprise: capturing a fuel temperature data; determining a fuel quality rating; calculating a volumetric fuel flow; calculating a fuel filter differential pressure; and calculating a fuel lacquer index. The fuel lacquer index may be calculated as a percentage value based upon the fuel temperature data, the fuel quality rating, the volumetric fuel flow, and the fuel filter differential pressure.

Abstract: A system for degassing a hydrocarbon fluid from a hydrocarbon liquid has a plurality of hollow tube membranes. The hollow tube membranes are formed of a plastic providing an inner support body and an outer selective layer which is denser than the inner support body. The inner support body is formed of spherulitic structures. A fuel supply system and a method ae also disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow fiber cartridge for a hollow fiber membrane degassing system, comprising a tube bundle of selectively permeable membrane tubes having inner channels, the bundle including two ends, and a tube sheet at each end of the tube bundle binding the ends of tube bundle. The tube sheets are configured to mount the tube bundle within a housing of the degassing system. The tube sheets are comprised of one or more of at least one Fluorosilicone, at least one Fluorocarbon, or at least one Polysulfide.

Abstract: A gas inerting system employs a carbon dioxide separation unit to remove carbon dioxide and water from an oxygen depleted gas stream generated from a catalytic oxidation unit and subsequently provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas to a fuel tank and/or to a cargo hold. A method of producing an inert gas passes an oxygen depleted gas stream from a catalytic oxidation unit through a carbon dioxide separation unit and provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas for fuel tank inerting and/or cargo hold fire suppression.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system includes a source of a gaseous mixture, and a fuel separation unit configured to receive a portion of the gaseous mixture from the source. The fuel separation unit includes a reverse selective membrane configured to separate the gaseous mixture into a condensable gas portion and a permanent gas portion. The inert gas generating system further includes a catalytic oxidation unit configured to receive and react hydrocarbon vapors within the condensable gas portion to produce an inert gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel system with a fuel tank containing hydrocarbon fuel, a hydrocarbon fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a gas separation pump disposed on the flow path. The gas separation pump has a pump housing with an inner wall defining a cylindrical internal cavity. The pump housing includes an inlet at a first axial position along the cylindrical cavity outer circumference, an outlet at a second axial position along the cylindrical cavity outer circumference, and a vacuum connection in fluid communication with the cylindrical cavity axis. A first impeller with an outer edge configured to sweep along the inner wall is axially disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A second impeller configured to eject liquid through the fluid outlet is axially disposed between the first impeller and the outlet.

Abstract: A method for mitigating gas and vapor absorption into organic compounds includes degassing an organic compound to generate a degassed organic compound that includes an O2 content less than or equal to 50% of a saturated value of the organic compound. The method includes transferring the degassed organic compound while preventing contamination of the organic compound through gas absorption. The method includes storing the degassed organic compound in a storage receptacle to mitigate gas and vapor absorption. An organic compound storage and transfer system includes an organic compound source. An organic compound from the organic compound source includes an O2 content less than or equal to 50% of a saturated value of the organic compound. A storage receptacle is in fluid communication with the organic compound source. An inert gas source is in fluid communication with the storage receptacle to purge the storage receptacle of other gasses and vapors.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenation system includes a boost pump and an oxygen collector. The collector includes an input port fluidly connected to an output of the boost pump, an output port in fluid communication with the input port, and one or more hollow fiber tubes disposed within the oxygen collector, the hollow fiber tubes having an oxygen permeable membrane disposed thereon. The system also includes a nitrogen source in fluid communication with the one or more hollow fiber tubes that causes the formation of a nitrogen containing sweep gas channel within the one or more hollow fiber tubes.

Abstract: An on-board aircraft inert gas system includes a source of hydrocarbon, a source of gas comprising oxygen, and a first fluid flow path between the source of gas comprising oxygen and an inert gas output. A reactor is disposed along the first fluid flow path that reacts oxygen and hydrocarbon from the fuel tank gas space to produce an oxygen-depleted gas. A heat exchanger condenser removes some water from the oxygen-depleted gas. A water-permeable gas membrane separator receives the oxygen-depleted gas from the heat exchanger and outputs dried oxygen-depleted gas.

Abstract: A fuel deoxygenation system has a deoxygenator, an ultrasound transducer, and a control. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to direct ultrasonic waves into a flow passage for a fuel connected to the deoxygenator. A gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided comprising: an engine that in operation consumes fuel; a fuel tank that in operation supplies fuel to the engine; a fuel degassing unit fluidly connecting the engine to the fuel tank, the fuel degassing unit in operation separates selected species from the fuel; and a vacuum generation device operably connected to the fuel degassing unit, the vacuum generation device in operation generates a vacuum to remove the selected species from the fuel degassing unit; wherein the vacuum generation device comprises at least one operating fluid-free vacuum pump that operates without an operating fluid.

Abstract: A spot-cooling system including an electroactive polymer actuator, an enclosure defining an internal cavity, and a port in the enclosure is described herein. The electroactive polymer actuator may be configured to draw air into the enclosure. The electroactive polymer actuator may be configured to force air from the enclosure. The electroactive polymer actuator may comprise a corrugated electroactive polymer actuator. The electroactive polymer actuator may comprise a plurality of layered electroactive polymer actuators.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel passage for conveying a hydrocarbon fuel. The hydrocarbon fuel is reactive with oxygen to form carbonaceous deposit. A device is disposed in the fuel passage such as to be exposed to the hydrocarbon fuel. The device includes first and second surfaces that are spaced from each other by a clearance gap into which the hydrocarbon fuel can infiltrate. The first and second surfaces are in sliding motion with respect to each other when the device is in operation. A frangible fluoropolymer coating is disposed on at least one of the first or second surfaces along the clearance gap. The coating is subject to the carbonaceous deposit adhering thereon. The coating is configured to allow portions to release by shearing off with the carbonaceous deposit under stress from the sliding motion to uncover a newly exposed face of the coating.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system includes a source of a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and a fractioning unit configured to receive a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel from the source. The fractioning unit includes a perm-selective membrane configured to separate the portion of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel into substantially sulfur-free vapors and a sulfur-containing remainder. The system further includes a catalytic oxidation unit configured to receive and react the substantially sulfur-free vapors to produce an inert gas.

Abstract: A moisture separating system includes a first heat pump, a liquid source in thermal communication with a heat absorption section of the heat pump, and a source of a gas to be treated. The system also includes a hydrophilic nanoporous membrane comprising a first side that receives a flow of gas from the gas source and a second side that receives a flow of liquid from the liquid source.