Defrosting and frost protection for aircraft in runway headings

Ethylene glycol, along with other compounds diluted in water at high temperatures, are used for defrosting and frost protection of planes before starting the flight, when required due to weather and temperature. Tankers with hoisting platforms spray the entire aircraft, mainly the wings, the rudder and the tail stabilizers.

Solution adopted by INPRO

A main 25,000 Liter tank is available for storing the fluid. The spray tanker is loaded from this tank with a high flow pumping motor pump, along with a motorized valve to control the filling process. The system is managed by a control panel and manual start-up is done with a go – stop switch. A maximum level stop pump is used as overfilling protection, as well as the necessary thermal protection in the engine. An overpressure valve with return to the main tank prevents overpressurization in case the solenoid valve does not open and the pump keeps running.
The ethylene glycol used to spray the aircraft, along with other impurities, is filtered by the platform grid and drops directly to a drain. A 2 ½” motorized solenoid valve serves to carry out the unloading process to a 75,000 Liter collecting tank. A blade motor pump is used to empty that tank; it has a 15 h.p. motor and a 25,000 L/h flow potential and serves to pump the ethylene glycol to a tanker for it to be recycled in a processing plant. It also has an overpressure valve with return to the contaminated fluid tank and filters before the pumping systems. The loading process of the tanker is managed by the control panel and follows the same procedure as the manual start-up.
Given its location and possible presence of fuel from the aircraft, the installation is classified as ATEX Zone-1, so the motor pumps have an IP-55/EExeIIBT4 protection level, except for the control panel, which is located outside the classified zone.

Tanks

A main 25,000 ethylene glycol storage tank is planned, as well as another 75,000 tank for contaminated fluid, both double-skinned with water tightness control.

Main tank interstitial chamber detection

To detect leaks in the double skin of the main tanks, we recommend DDP-25 vacuum system with regenerative pump and intrinsic safety mechanism and fluid separation valve according to standard EN 13160-1, Class 1.

Control of main tanks

To control the level and the overfilling operations in the tanks, continuous measuring analog probes EDM-40 are placed, with explosion-proof heads, which will provide the readings in the panel displays of the control panel outside the classified area. The reserve signal and the overfilling warning are controlled by a 90 dB alarm.

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IMÁGENES DE LOS PROYECTOS



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Elements of the installation supplied by INPRO

PROBE EDM40

Continuous level display and control unit completely adapted to the needs of the installation. Displays the level at all times, expressed as a percentage. All required operations can be done via the relay module and the analog communication output. Customized manufacture makes this unit perfect for all kinds of tanks and a wide array of fluids.

  • Standard operating temperature: 40ºC that can be adapted to reach up to 125ºC.
  • Control unit in standardized module (DIN 43700) 96 x 43 x 100, can be mounted with panels.
  • Flexible probe with sealed head, can be fastened with 2’’, 11/2’’ or 1’’ nuts. Mounted with aluminum or standardized flange..
  • Overfilling warning alarm triggering with 95 dB acoustic signal, automatic shut-off and reset push button with IP-55 protection. It complies with the requirements of the standard MI-IP03 on “Oil Installations for own consumption”.

INTERSTITIAL CHAMBER DETECTOR DDP-25

Vacuum leak detector for interstitial chamber in double-skinned tanks according to EN 13160-1, Class 1.

  • Has a regenerative pump controlled with an adjustable vacustat. Thus keeping a -400 mBar pressure between the inner and outer skins of the double-skinned tank. When dropping below 380 mBar, the pump regenerates the vacuum; if there are any holes, the negative pressure does not regenerate; the alarm triggers upon reaching 340 mBar.
  • These units are perfect for tanks of up to 3 m of diameter.

TRANSFER PUMP

Pump with self-adjusting blades, with positive movement and constant flow. Silent, robust and high-performance. Particularly recommended for transfer of all kinds of liquid -as long as they are not abrasive nor contain suspended solid particles.

  • Blade adjustment is due to three variables. Centrifugal force, fluid pressure and push rods, so losses and turbulence are greatly decreased.
  • Adjustable safety valve included in pump body.
  • Pump body in cast or stainless steel, based on needs.
  • Bench from gray cast iron.
  • Three-phase engine with Atex certificate.
  • Possibility of 2 rotation directions by placing an inverter.
  • The power of the associated motor prevents possible problems at launch with low temperature fuel.

SOLENOID VALVES

Set of solenoid valves to control the filling process and safety against spillage due to excessive levels.

  • Chrome plated brass Y-shaped filter, with stainless steel 0.05 mm mesh PN16.
  • Gas oil N.C. solenoid valve to control the filling process.
  • A regulated and sealed container (flow limiter) adapted to the desired flow, consisting of a chrome plated brass valve and nylon seals.
  • Gas oil N.O. solenoid valve to control the filling process.

Oil pump system “INPRO” ATAM-GE

Oil pump systems ATAM-GET are synonyms for adaptation. They are designed to fulfill pumping and redundancy needs and to comply with the safety protocols of installations controlled by centralized control panels, with touch screen automatons and Mod-bus communication. A perfect combo for every installation. Control panels for filling motor pumps, overflow, solenoid valves, alarms, etc., as well as possible operating management inputs.

  • Compact units with all the elements required for gas oil pumping, joined in an aluminum collector on a furnace-painted plate bench.
  • Flows of up to 70 Liters/hour, with the possibility of on-demand pumping via speed variation.
  • With a flow meter to instantly check the operating conditions.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • The system is capable of controlling 1, 2 or 3 filling areas depending on its settings.
  • The panel shows the level of the daily service tanks, the status of the motor pumps, solenoid valves, etc., providing the possibility of manual and automatic filling processes as well as different maintenance tests, very useful for having a fine tuned installation.
  • It contains a 5.7’’ monochrome touch screen with Mod Bus communication with SCADAS. There are different options.

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