78 FR 20 pg. 6400 - Results of FAA Nitrous Oxide BLEVE Characterization Testing
Type: NOTICEVolume: 78Number: 20Page: 6400
FR document: [FR Doc. 2013-02046 Filed 1-29-13; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Results of FAA Nitrous Oxide BLEVE Characterization Testing
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of public teleconference.
SUMMARY:
This notice announces a public teleconference to share with the public results of recent FAA sponsored testing of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) characteristics. Nitrous oxide is an important oxidizer to developers of some commercial reusable launch vehicles. A potential hazard in nitrous oxide storage and handling is a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE), which results from a sudden loss of pressure in a tank containing nitrous oxide stored under pressure above its normal boiling point. The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation sponsored tests of liquid-phase nitrous oxide at NASA's White Sands Test Facility to empirically determine the superheat limit temperature for nitrous oxide, and to demonstrate that a BLEVE would not occur if the liquid is maintained at temperatures below this superheat limit temperature.
Meeting Information: The teleconference is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The presentation and call-in number will be posted one week in advance at http://www.ast.faa.gov/ .
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stewart Jackson, Division Manager, Regulations and Analysis Division, AST-300, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-7903, or email at stewart.jackson@faa.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 22, 2013.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2013-02046 Filed 1-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P