Gas tank Comparison (With and Without Foam)
Gas Tank Without Foam
Gas Tank Without Foam
Gas Tank Without Foam
As the fuel level drops in the tank, the volume of the tank where fuel once occupied is now occupied with ignitable fuel vapors. If an event occurs, such as a projectile hitting the outside of tank, a lightening strike and/or an ignition spark inside the tank, these vapors can possibly ignite. Once ignited, there is nothing to stop this until an explosion occurs.
Gas Tank With Foam
Gas Tank Without Foam
Gas Tank Without Foam
Same situation but now the foam replaces the volume where the fuel once was and is now in the area of the ignitable fuel vapors. If an ignition event occurs, the foam acts as a heat sink, removing the energy from combustion spreading.
- When designed and installed correctly, the foam accounts for all components inside the tank. Recommended clearances are designed in the foam as to not to impede the fuel flow to pickups and passthroughs while not to interfering with any internal mechanisms.
- Proper design allows foam to conform to the tank, allowing for the foam to swell properly and minimizing crushing of foam membranes to maximize fuel capacity.
- Foam acts as a barrier to mitigate any combustible event.