Projects/Completed

Non-ODC Oxygen Line Cleaning
Project Number: J-99-CL-015

Non-ODC Oxygen Line CleaningThe purpose of the Non-ODC Oxygen Line Cleaning JG-PP project was to validate one or more technologies using non-ODC to clean oxygen lines on DoD and NASA aerospace vehicles and at NASA research centers for building maintenance cost avoidance. Presently, aircraft oxygen lines are cleaned before being installed in the aircraft or when contamination in the lines causes a problem for the crewmember. When the contamination problem is discovered, the crewmember must switch to the use of auxiliary oxygen supplies. The aircraft is then flown to an air base where the oxygen plumbing is dismantled, removed from the aircraft, cleaned using chlorofluorocarbons (specifically CFC-113) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (specifically HCFC-141b), and then reinstalled back into the idle aircraft. This procedure results in emissions of the ODC during cleaning and reduced mission readiness while the aircraft sits idle.

Technologies that were demonstrated and qualified under the project include a portable unit for onboard cleaning of oxygen systems and two technologies for off-aircraft cleaning. NAVAIR-Patuxent River, Northrop-Grumman, and Versar Inc. have independently developed viable and complementary alternative cleaning processes that do not use ODC cleaners.

  • NAVAIR - Patuxent River, Oxygen Line Cleaning System (off-aircraft cleaning system)
    • Oxygen line cleaning system is a bench-top system
    • Uses the semi-aqueous NOC
    • Ideal for tight spaces
  • Northrop-Grumman, Oxygen Line Cleaning System (off-aircraft cleaning system)
    • Oxygen line cleaning system is a tube system
    • Uses HFE 7100/Krytox solution
  • Versar Inc., Oxygen Line Cleaning System (onboard cleaning system)
    • Oxygen line cleaning system is portable
    • Uses HFE 7100 solution blended with a surfactant from Krytox.

Potential benefits of implementing replacements include:

  • Eliminate DoD and NASA consumption and emission of tens of thousands of gallons of CFCs annually
  • Significant savings in manpower and avoided aircraft downtime
  • An estimated cost avoidance of up to $1 million per aircraft
  • NASA plans to utilize this system for cleaning oxygen lines at several of their research centers to provide facilities maintenance cost avoidance.

As a result of successful completion of this project, it is now possible to remove dependence on chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleters to clean oxygen lines and components. Once these technologies are implemented, significant savings will be realized in manpower, avoided aircraft downtime and chemical purchase/disposal volumes. In addition, the technologies evaluated under this project may be applicable to the cleaning of other types of oxygen systems onboard ships and submarines.

This successfully completed JG-PP project was partnered with an ESTCP-sponsored project, "On-Board Oxygen Line Cleaning System for use with DoD Weapons Systems." The JG-PP Methodology and resources were applied to the ongoing ESTCP project beginning in 1999 to enhance the implementation and transfer of non-ODC technology.

For more information on this project visit the ESTCP Website.

 

Related Topics
Project Matrix and Points of Contact


Meeting and Teleconference Summaries

Technology Survey

Potential Alternatives Report

Joint Test Protocol

Joint Test Report

Information Sheet

Project Summary

 

This site last updated February 28, 2008.


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