Contamination of Environmental Control Systems in Hercules Aircraft
Abstract
The assistance of MRL was requested by RAAF in determining the origins of contamination of turboprop bleed air used for environmental control in several Hercules C-130 transportation aircraft. Air sampling in the interior of affected planes was performed in-flight and on the ground, together with laboratory sampling of vapour from all of the suspected contaminating fluids. Gas chromatographic (GC) and GC/mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of collected samples confirmed that aviation turbine fuel (avtur) leakage produces a continuous background of hydrocarbon vapour around 0.1 to 0.5 ppm in affected aircraft. Positive indications of turbine oil vapours were found in filter bags taken from the air-duct system of suspect aircraft. Some traces of organophosphorous compounds, particularly the tricresyl phosphate additive in the oil, were found in the air filter bags. However at present there is no evidence to support a hypothesis that neurotoxic bicyclophophosphorous compounds derived from the oil additive are present. It is strongly recommended that in addition to normal maintenance of turbine oil seals and fuel nozzles, the use of charcoal cloth filters in the air ducting system be investigated as a means of absorbing the noxious odours.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198337
Entities
People
- A. G. Kelso
- G. G. Mcvea
- J. M. Charlesworth
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group