A method and apparatus for controlling inert gas generation. An apparatus comprises an air separation module and an air flow control system. The air separation module is configured to separate an inert gas from air input into the air separation module. The air flow control system is configured to co
A method and apparatus for controlling inert gas generation. An apparatus comprises an air separation module and an air flow control system. The air separation module is configured to separate an inert gas from air input into the air separation module. The air flow control system is configured to control the flow of the air into the air separation module.
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1. An apparatus comprising: an air separation module configured to separate an inert gas from bleed air input into the air separation module; andan air flow control system comprising a plurality of valves, a first one of the plurality of valves located upstream from the air separation module and con
1. An apparatus comprising: an air separation module configured to separate an inert gas from bleed air input into the air separation module; andan air flow control system comprising a plurality of valves, a first one of the plurality of valves located upstream from the air separation module and configured to control a flow of the bleed air into the air separation module to reduce bleed air use by a platform in which the air separation module is located when a need for the inert gas is reduced and a desired operating temperature is maintained for the air separation module, and a second one of the plurality of valves located downstream from the air separation module and configured to control an amount of nitrogen relative to oxygen in the inert gas exiting the air separation module. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air flow control system is further configured to control a pressure in the flow of the air input into the air separation module. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air flow control system is configured to control the flow of the air into the air separation module such that fuel use by a platform in which the air separation module is located is reduced. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air flow control system further comprises: a controller configured to control operation of the valve. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller comprises: a computer system in an aircraft. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an air source configured to supply the air. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the air source is an aircraft engine. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a reduction in the flow of the air into the air separation module increases a fuel efficiency of the aircraft engine. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inert gas is selected from one of nitrogen, nitrogen enriched air, and carbon dioxide. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a distribution system connected to an output of the air separation module, wherein the distribution system is configured to send the inert gas to a fuel tank. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air separation module and the air flow control system are located in an aircraft and wherein the air flow control system is configured to reduce the flow of the air during a phase of flight in which a lower flow of the inert gas into a fuel tank of the aircraft is needed to reduce combustibility of vapors in the fuel tank. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air separation module and the air flow control system are located in a platform selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a submarine, a bus, a personnel carrier, a tank, a train, an automobile, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a surface ship, a power plant, a manufacturing facility, and a building. 13. A method for controlling a flow of bleed air into an air separation module, the method comprising: identifying a desired amount of inert gas generation for a fuel tank system;controlling the flow of the bleed air into the air separation module based on the desired amount of inert gas generation for the fuel tank system; andcontrolling a flow of inert gas exiting the air separation module based on a desired amount of nitrogen relative to oxygen in the inert gas. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: receiving the air from an engine. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the air separation module and the fuel tank system are located in an aircraft and wherein the desired amount of inert gas generation for the fuel tank system is based on at least one of a climb rate, a descent rate, a fuel quantity in the fuel tank system, an engine thrust setting, whether anti-icing systems are on or off, a pressure in the fuel tank system, an amount of fuel vapor in the fuel tank system, a temperature of the air separation module, and an amount of oxygen in the fuel tank system. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein a second flow of the air into the air separation module is controlled by an air flow control system. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the air flow control system comprises: a valve; anda controller configured to control the valve. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein an inert gas is selected from one of nitrogen, nitrogen enriched air, and carbon dioxide.
Glenn Gary S. (Seattle WA) Rajpaul Vinod K. (Bellevue WA) Yurczyk Roger F. (Kent WA), Integrated system for generating inert gas and breathing gas on aircraft.
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