Aerospace Certification Support
A global aviation equipment manufacturer required specialised technical validation to achieve regulatory safety approval from a major international aviation authority for a lithium-powered emergency signalling system.
What the client needed
The client faced significant regulatory hurdles regarding the safety of a lithium-manganese battery pack used in an emergency transmitter. Specifically, they needed an expert rebuttal to challenges regarding the statistical probability of single-cell thermal runaway and a rigorous assessment of gas toxicity within the finite volumes of an aircraft cockpit and cabin. The project required a detailed analysis of gas emission concentrations—specifically carbon monoxide—against short-term exposure limits while accounting for complex variables like air mixing and ventilation that had been previously excluded from their models.
Choosing PB Consulting
Leveraging deep expertise in lithium battery failure modes and chemical outgassing, PB Consulting provided the technical bridge between experimental test data and stringent aerospace safety standards. By applying a more nuanced understanding of thermal runaway triggers and gas propagation, the consultancy offered the forensic level of detail necessary to address complex regulatory inquiries that internal teams often find difficult to quantify.
Outcomes
The engagement consisted of a technical consultation that facilitated a vital knowledge transfer regarding failure probabilities and the chemical evolution of off-gassing events. This session empowered the client’s engineering team with the evidence-based arguments required to refine their toxicological studies, using more accurate volumetric models and realistic ventilation rates. By equipping the client with these rigorous scientific insights, the consultation enabled them to confidently address specific regulatory concerns and demonstrate the safety of their installation for final flight certification.