Inerting system and method for an aircraft using exhaust air

A method for supplying an inert gas in an aircraft, the method comprising:

• tapping supply air from an exhaust air system of the aircraft;
• connecting an air supply line from the exhaust air system of the aircraft to a compressor;
• compressing, using the compressor, the supply air to generate compressed air having a pressure necessary for operation of an inert gas generation apparatus;
• cooling, using a heat exchanger, the supply air from the compressor to a temperature necessary for operation of the inert gas generation apparatus;
• connecting a bypass line downstream of the compressor such that at least a portion of the supply air circumvents the heat exchanger to control a temperature of the supply air input into the inert gas generation apparatus;
• producing inert gas from the compressed air in an inert gas generation apparatus;
• during flight operation of the aircraft:
• branching off a portion of the supply air from the exhaust air system upstream from the compressor;
• and
• providing the portion of the supply air to the heat exchanger as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air, wherein the portion of the supply air flows through the heat exchanger due to a pressure difference between the exhaust air system and ambient air surrounding the inert gas generation apparatus;
• and
• during ground operation of the aircraft:
• producing an ambient air stream, using a blower, from the ambient air surrounding the inert gas generation apparatus;
• and
• providing the ambient air stream to the heat exchanger as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air.

A method for supplying an inert gas in an aircraft, wherein the method comprises:

• tapping air from an exhaust air system of the aircraft;
• compressing the tapped air;
• producing inert gas from the compressed air in an inert gas generation apparatus;
• controlling a flap for closing and opening an opening in an outer skin of the aircraft;
• and
• cooling the compressed air to a temperature necessary for operation of the inert gas generation apparatus;
• wherein during flight operation of the aircraft, the method comprises:
• closing the flap;
• and
• producing an air stream by a blower from the air surrounding the inert gas generation apparatus;
• and
• using the air stream as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air;
• and
• during ground operation of the aircraft the method comprises:
• opening of the flap;
• producing an air stream by the blower from the air surrounding the aircraft through the opening;
• and
• using the air stream as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air.

A method for supplying an inert gas in an aircraft, the method comprising:

• tapping supply air from an exhaust air system of the aircraft;
• connecting an air supply line from the exhaust air system of the aircraft to a compressor;
• compressing, using the compressor, the supply air to generate compressed air having a pressure necessary for operation of an inert gas generation apparatus;
• cooling, using a heat exchanger, the supply air from the compressor to a temperature necessary for operation of the inert gas generation apparatus;
• connecting a bypass line downstream of the compressor such that at least a portion of the supply air circumvents the heat exchanger to control a temperature of the supply air input into the inert gas generation apparatus;
• producing inert gas from the compressed air in an inert gas generation apparatus;
• controlling a flap for closing and opening an opening in an outer skin of the aircraft;
• during flight operation of the aircraft:
• closing the flap;
• producing an ambient air stream, using a blower, from ambient air surrounding the inert gas generation apparatus;
• and
• providing the ambient air stream to the heat exchanger as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air;
• and
• during ground operation of the aircraft:
• opening the flap;
• producing an ambient air stream, using the blower, from ambient air surrounding the aircraft through the opening;
• and
• providing the ambient air stream to the heat exchanger as a heat sink for cooling the compressed air.