High Accuracy, Turnkey, Minimum Hot Surface Ignition Test Apparatus

ABSTRACT: This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop and demonstrate a test apparatus for determining the minimum hot surface ignition (HSI) temperature of flammable liquids. Flammable liquids leaking onto hot surfaces, such as those in an aircraft engine bay, present fire hazards. To properly assess and mitigate these hazards, an in depth knowledge of the HSI process is required. However, due to non-standardized testing and non-uniform surface temperatures, there have been large variations in published HSI data. Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT), in collaboration with Dr. Vytenis Babrauskas, proposes to develop a turnkey hot surface ignition test apparatus with a highly isothermal surface which can be used across multiple research groups to standardize HSI testing and provide accurate results of the minimum HSI temperature of flammable liquids. This custom designed turnkey system will have the capability of controlling the complex variables involved in HSI, such as surface temperature, equivalence ratio, air flow currents, air pressure, and test fluid temperature. BENEFIT: ACT has developed turnkey test apparati for many customers and develops isothermal products for the temperature calibration industry. To commercialize the technology, ACT will manufacture the turnkey HSI test apparatus and market the product toward research institutes, colleges and universities, and companies interested in analyzing HSI risks. The addition of this technology will expand ACT"s product line in the turnkey test apparatus and temperature calibration markets.