System for inerting and method for generating an inerting gas in an aircraft, operating without collecting outside air
View Patent ↗An inerting system for aircraft including a gas circuit with successively at least one air inlet, a compressor and an air separation module. The air separation module includes an outlet for oxygen-enriched gas and an outlet for inerting gas. The air separation module includes gas permeation membranes resistant to a temperature greater than or equal to 100° C. and preferably 140° C., and the inerting gas outlet is connected to a turbine for releasing pressure and cooling the inerting gas.
1. An inerting system for aircraft, said system comprising a gas circuit with successively at least an air inlet, a compressor and an air separation module where the air separation module comprises an outlet for oxygen-enriched gas and an outlet for inerting gas, wherein the air separation module comprises gas permeation membranes resistant to a temperature greater than or equal to 100° C., and the inerting gas outlet is connected to a turbine for releasing pressure and cooling the inerting gas;
wherein the turbine is mechanically coupled to an electric motor rotating the compressor, thus forming a turbocompressor; and
wherein the air circuit comprises, at an outlet of the compressor which compresses air to the air separation module, a compressed air bypass conduit in which the electric motor is arranged, the bypass conduit comprising a portion of section sized for reducing pressure and cooling compressed air upstream from the electric motor in order to cool the electric motor.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas permeation membranes are resistant to a temperature greater than or equal to 140° C.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the bypass conduit opens near the oxygen-enriched gas outlet in order to be mixed therewith.
4. A method for generation of inerting gas in an aircraft implementing the inerting system according to claim 1 , wherein said method comprises the steps of:
Feeding the inerting system gas circuit with air;
Compressing the air by means of the compressor;
Circulating compressed air directly through the gas permeation membranes resistant to a temperature greater than or equal to 100° C. for depleting the air of oxygen and generating an inerting gas; and
Releasing the pressure on the inerting gas by means of the turbine for generating a low temperature inerting gas.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the method comprises recovering energy from the turbine for rotating the compressor.