Parker Hannifin Industrial Division has supplied a MAXIGAS nitrogen gas generator to Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems for inflating aircraft tyres, offering cost savings and other advantages over the previous rented system.
Two of the latest models of MAXIGAS nitrogen gas generator, designed and manufactured by Parker Hannifin Industrial Division, are being used as part of an aircraft tyre inflation system. Installed by Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems (formerly Dunlop Aerospace Braking Systems), the generators have replaced an older rental system and are playing an important role in helping the company reduce costs and improve efficiency.
With its UK headquarters in Coventry, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems (MABS) provides a range of products and services tailored to the aerospace industry including the repair, replacement and overhaul of aircraft tyres for leading airlines.
Aircraft tyres can be inflated with nitrogen gas due to its clean and dry composition and its ability to prevent deflation caused by oxygen permeation through the tyre wall. Nitrogen therefore helps to maintain the correct tyre pressure throughout varying altitudes.
MABS previously operated a nitrogen generator on a contract basis from a rental supplier. However, with throughput often exceeding the maximum capacity of the system, and with booster pressure limitations, the company needed an alternative to help it service the more demanding tyres with greater ease. Via Direct Air, a key UK Parker Hannifin distributor, the company was introduced to MAXIGAS nitrogen gas generators and recognised the many benefits of investing in a system.
MAXIGAS generators produce nitrogen gas from compressed air via the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method using carbon molecular sieve (CMS) regenerative technology. Offering reliability, efficiency and a constant, controlled flow and pressure, the generators are cost-effective for nitrogen supply and offer a low cost of ownership.
Installed in January 2008, the two MAXIGAS108 units were specified to provide MABS with a peak flow rate of over 70m3/h at better than 2 per cent maximum remaining oxygen content and a 40barg maximum outlet pressure. Operating at normal factory production flow demand, the nitrogen quality has proved to be better than specified (better than 0.1 per cent O2).
Roy Deakin, Head of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul at MABS, comments: "We are very pleased with the MAXIGAS system from Parker Hannifin. Since installation, it has worked very efficiently and allows us to better service the tyres which require a greater volume of nitrogen and increased throughput. We look forward to enjoying the benefits of payback on our capital purchase over the lifetime of the system."
MAXIGAS also offers MABS 100 per cent standby reliability, which is something the previous system did not provide, and it eliminates system failures, wasted time waiting for cylinder deliveries, and the need to provide cylinder storage space.
The system installation, which was conducted by Direct Air, was completed over one weekend, enabling MABS to resume production the following Monday morning.
Allan Dolby, Managing Director at Direct Air, states: "Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems are one of our most valued, longstanding customers. It was therefore essential that the nitrogen generator solution offered by ourselves provided the quality and reliability to satisfy their needs. The MAXIGAS system has proven to fit their requirements perfectly and meets all of the criteria of the specification. We are very pleased with the installation that was carried out over just one weekend with minimal disruption to them."
MAXIGAS and MIDIGAS nitrogen gas generators are suitable for various applications in many industries and are backed by Parker Hannifin's global network of manufacturing, sales and customer support centres, providing full service, spares and applications expertise. Optional preventative maintenance contracts are also available.