Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

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neema
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Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by neema »

We've used a little tupperware box to keep some rags, fuel sump tester, and tools in the nose compartment for years. Also a few quarts of oil. A friend casually pointed out the caution sticker warning that no oils/fuels should be kept near the o2 tank.

I immediately removed everything, but really don't want to put fuel/oil in the main cabin.

What do you guys do?
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by Colin »

Who defines "near?"
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ememic99
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by ememic99 »

When oxygen is in question “near” means with possibility of physical contact. IMO right-hand front compartment is not such place while left-hand one could be because or O2 refilling inlet.
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by Sandy »

I may be wrong, since it's been a long time since I took Chemistry, but oxygen is a gas, so if there is any leak in the tank or system within the compartment, the oxygen concentration within the compartment will increase. Should the oxygen level increase to the point that it permits the spontaneous combustion of the oily rags (See https://hgi-fire.com/blog/fire-safety-g ... oily-rags/ ), then "near" will be defined by the first responders and the NTSB.

Sandy
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by ememic99 »

Sandy wrote:I may be wrong, since it's been a long time since I took Chemistry, but oxygen is a gas, so if there is any leak in the tank or system within the compartment, the oxygen concentration within the compartment will increase. Should the oxygen level increase to the point that it permits the spontaneous combustion of the oily rags (See https://hgi-fire.com/blog/fire-safety-g ... oily-rags/ ), then "near" will be defined by the first responders and the NTSB.

Sandy
You are right in theory but the concentration should be equivalent to more than 0.4 bar of oxygen partial pressure (40% of oxygen at ground level) which at altitude requires a lot higher percentage. I don't see how it's feasible to achieve from the leakage in non-pressurized aircraft. If there's substantial leakage in the system you'll notice it by checking the pressure gauge. But event then I can't see possibility for spontaneous combustion in flying aircraft (the temperature is also required).

However, there's some possibility for such thing to happen if the aircraft is parked on tarmac, there's nobody near the aircraft to notice the leakage, the compartment is pretty well sealed and temperature is high. I can't give definite answer if spontaneous combustion of oily rags in such conditions is possible or not.
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by Sandy »

ememic99 wrote,
You are right in theory...
Reminded me of what Yogi Berra said...
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by Colin »

I don't have an oxygen bottle. I still keep the oil (sealed, new containers) in a tupperware container. The Gatts jar is also sealed in a Ziplock bag and a separate tupperware container. If I had that on the opposite side of the compartment I would feel okay.
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by CFIDave »

I've been carrying a couple liters/quarts of engine oil, some spare gearbox oil, and the fuel tester in the nose of my previously-owned DA42-VI and now DA62 (both equipped with nose O2 tanks) for years with no ill effects. I keep the fuel tester "double-bagged" inside of a jar and plastic bag not so much to prevent spontaneous combustion, but to prevent JetA fumes from ever escaping into the aircraft interior. I don't carry any oily rags in the nose compartment. I instead carry a roll of disposable paper towels for oil spills, and rags that were wet only with water to clean bugs off the aircraft leading edges/TKS panels.
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by neema »

So I went through the mental exercise and realized that a sealed tupperware box isn't a great answer either; it'll be expanding/contracting with each flight and will either pop and spook us, or just fatigue over time and probably develop a leak.

An industrial grade, jumbo zip lock would be cool.
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Re: Oil and tools mixed with nose compartment o2

Post by ememic99 »

neema wrote:An industrial grade, jumbo zip lock would be cool.
And squeeze as much air as you can from it every time you close it.
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