Nitrogen Inflation?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I think we can file this one with the cow magnets and tornado devices.
I can see why an aircraft would not want some frozen ice in a tire throwing off the balance when that tire spins up... It can't be much ice but I suppose it would also lower the pressure slightly.
I did see an ad on TV tonight where some local tire company offered the "service", I bet it isn't free, -what a rip off!
I can see why an aircraft would not want some frozen ice in a tire throwing off the balance when that tire spins up... It can't be much ice but I suppose it would also lower the pressure slightly.
I did see an ad on TV tonight where some local tire company offered the "service", I bet it isn't free, -what a rip off!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Marple Township, PA
The use of nitrogen in aircraft tires became mandated by the FAA after an AeroMexico B727 had an in-flight fire. On take off roll, one of the brakes was dragging but went unnoticed, once airborne and the gear retracted into the wheel wells, the heat of the brake caused the tire to explode, and the compressed air used to service the tires fed the resulting fire. Maybe this is why some race cars use it...to lessen feeding a fire.
It is true that nitrogen is also used to eliminate moisture from compressed air freezing at altitude and causing massive unbalance upon landing. But really, moisture can be removed from compressed air by separators and driers, but you still wind up with an amount of combustible oxygen.
They are also exploring nitrogen injection into aircraft fuel cells to lessen the chance of explosive vapors igniting, like in the TWA B747 that went down out of JFK.
As far as nitrogen in vehicular applications (other than racing), it's definitely a gimmick that some of the people, some of the time, will fall for (and make at least one scammer rich!!)
It is true that nitrogen is also used to eliminate moisture from compressed air freezing at altitude and causing massive unbalance upon landing. But really, moisture can be removed from compressed air by separators and driers, but you still wind up with an amount of combustible oxygen.
They are also exploring nitrogen injection into aircraft fuel cells to lessen the chance of explosive vapors igniting, like in the TWA B747 that went down out of JFK.
As far as nitrogen in vehicular applications (other than racing), it's definitely a gimmick that some of the people, some of the time, will fall for (and make at least one scammer rich!!)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Broadcast antennas and microwave dishes use hollow waveguide to carry the RF. Nitrogen is used to positively pressure the line to keep water out if a leak ever developed. Cheaper places use a tiny air compressor with a huge water filter. A half pound heat expandion difference might make a difference on a race car and probably on your truck, too - if you carry enough decimal places.
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