Fuel tanks vs fuel cells

Mark Worthington · 06-20-02, 11:26 AM

I'd like some information on the use of fuel cells in a GT40 versus fuel tanks. I plan on taking mine to the track occasionally and want to do what I can during the build to keep things as safe as I reasonably can. The thought of all that fuel sitting right next to me is rather frightening if I contemplate getting T-boned on the track or on the street. I seem to recall from my kit research that GTD refers to their fuel tanks as fuel cells. I'm not really clear on what fuel cells are, anyway; my understanding is that they are filled with foam or something that will prevent the fuel from getting everywhere in the event of a crash.

Anyway, can my existing RF fuel tanks be converted to fuel cells? Are the GTD tanks really fuel cells? Do I have any other options to increase the safety of my fuel tanks in a side impact?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

neils · 06-20-02, 01:04 PM

Mark,

Welding used tanks is a REALLY REALLY bad idea!

Even heavily cleaned tanks still tend to explode when welded!

I personally haven't used Explosafe, but I suspect that it can be fitted through a relatievly small opening, such as a sender hole...

It can be purchased from pretty much any specialist car component company... try searching on the 'net and you'll find quite a few sources

Neil

Brian · 06-21-02, 12:05 AM

Mark, congrats on the new project. If you peer into the GTD fuel tank , it has some kind of expanded aluminum mesh inside. I don't know how it works but to clean the tanks I have filled them with water, and it comes back out rather slowly. I have been told of instances where GTDs have crashed with punctured fuel tanks and it preventented the fuel from gushing out all over the place. I would think it could be retrofitted to any tank, but I am not an engineer. Brian

neils · 06-21-02, 12:14 AM

Brian,

That 'stuff' is called Explosafe.

It is a very fine mesh that traps the fuel in the tank, and releases it slowly.

It uses up approx 2% of tank capacity, but is a very good idea for tanks that are in the position that a GT40 places them...

Regards

Neil

Mark Worthington · 06-21-02, 12:49 AM

Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds as though it wouldn't be too difficult to have my existing tanks retrofitted with explosafe or a similar material by having them cut open, fitted with the material then welded back up.

This, of course, assumes that the RF tanks don't already have the stuff in them. I haven't been able to tell for certain, but they feel and sound hollow.

Any idea where I can source Explosafe?

[ June 20, 2002: Message edited by: Mark Worthington ]

Fred/Belgium · 06-21-02, 07:39 AM

Anyone who could give some net adresses on subject?
Reading this stuff gets me concerned to put them also in my tanks.
Fred

neils · 06-21-02, 07:56 AM

Fred,

www.explosafe.com

And most reputable performance accessories specialists supply this stuff.

Regards

Neil

06-22-02, 12:36 AM

I don't think anyone addressed your question directly. My tanks are filled with a foam type material to control escape of fuel if the tank vessel is compromised. In my mind the difference between this and a fuel cell is that a fuel cell would also contain a bladder membrane that in all but the most catostrophic damage, would prevent any leakage.

MK -IV J6 · 06-23-02, 02:37 PM

Nothing is stronger(safer) than the weakest link and this is particularly true of fuel systems. The caps must be kept from popping open. The fill lines should have a check valve. The fill lines should be grounded. The cells should be from a reputable sorce. ATL,Fuel Safe,etc. This is probably not something you should try to design yourself.
This is by no means a comprehensive list and a race engineer/shop should be consulted. In addition an onboard fire system is a good idea,as is a fireproof racing suit on the track. All of this is especially true of original cars as 35 years take their toll. When I sent the submerged fuel pumps in my MK-IV back to Boeing they rebuilt them with the comment that these 35 year old pumps hadn't flown very many miles. These pumps were also used in 707's...
Best
Jim

Ian K · 06-24-02, 04:25 PM

A warning about Explosafe. If "installed"
incorrectly, you will run into many problems.

There was an article in an old GT40
Enthusiasts newsletter about one owner's
experience with it. He mysteriously blew
a number of half-shafts before discovering
the Explosafe was getting into one of his
fuel pumps. He eventually discarded Explosafe
altogether.

Ian