Foam in fuel cell?
#2825275
09/26/20 11:50 AM
09/26/20 11:50 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
|
I have a 10 gal aluminum fuel cell (trunk-mounted, with sealed sheet metal firewall to the passenger compartment). It has large blocks of foam inside. I'm wondering how much gas do these blocks displace? It doesn't seem to hold 10 gallons although measuring the cell and converting to gallons says it should. Also, what is the purpose of the blocks - to control fuel splashing or something else?  Edit: I've answered my own question. https://buildingspeed.org/2013/04/26/why-you-dont-mess-with-fuel-cell-foam/Guess it will stay. Maybe I'll change to a 15 or 20 gal. cell... that 451 is thirsty! 
|
|
|
Re: Foam in fuel cell?
[Re: DrCharles]
#2825283
09/26/20 12:12 PM
09/26/20 12:12 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,495
N.E. OHIO, USA
A12
Too Many Posts
|
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,495
N.E. OHIO, USA
|
Now I get it and here I thought it was just a slosh baffle, Foam in a fuel cell prevents a concentration of the fuel vapor plus air mixture, which significantly reduces the probability that the fuel cell will explode in case of a fire. Reducing the amount of foam in a fuel cell, either by not putting it in to the eight-inch mandated height, or by carving out hollows in the interior of the foam, creates a very highly flammable pocket of fuel vapor and a major safety hazard.
While manipulating the foam might give you an advantage in terms of being able to fit more fuel into the tank, it creates a major, major safety hazard by making the fuel cell more likely to explode in case of an accident. While people talk about messing with the fuel being a major no-no, the big thing here is really the safety aspects.
|
|
|
|
|
