Dust and Volcanic Ash Hazard Indicator for Safer Air Transport

The effects of dust or ash from volcanic eruptions on an aircraft in flight are well known and potentially deadly. In response, BlazeTech has adapted their proven particle mass flux probe for use as an ash hazard indicator on both commercial aircraft and general aviation. Pictured below is the indicator as used for in-house tests.

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Dust and volcanic ash have the potential to reduce visibility, affect air speed measurement/clog an aircraft's speed indicator (Pitot tubes), disturb communication by radio (electromagnetic wave insulation), and disable the aircraft's engines through blade erosion, ash fusion (which leads to rotation jamming), or combustion smothering.

While there have been instances of damage to jet aircraft as a result of ash encounters in the past (British Airways Flight 9, KLM Flight 867), the issue again came into the spotlight when the eruption of the Icelandic volcano in April 2010 closed airspace all over Europe.

There are two adaptations for BlazeTech's indicator. First, it is mounted to the aircraft body or wings and works by measuring the concentration and velocity of ash particles in the air stream. With an accurate particle flow measurement, the particles' effect on indicated air speed can be corrected and warn when clogging is imminent. The particle flow measurement is also indicative of the possibility for damage to the engine. Furthermore, the data stored by the indicator can be used to determine when an engine cleaning/overhaul is necessary.

In the second adaptation, the indicator is placed in the periphery of an airport and is used to locally assess the risk posed by volcanic eruptions and plan flight schedules accordingly.

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