CCD pumps it up for Royal Navy

Citation

(1999), "CCD pumps it up for Royal Navy", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771aaf.004

CCD pumps it up for Royal Navy

CCD pumps it up for Royal Navy

Keywords CCD, Corrosion, Helicopters, Pumps

London-based CCD has supplied two specially designed pump sets for installation in a new "drive through rinse" for Royal Navy helicopters at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

The drive-through facility has been developed by WNV Systems of Burgh Heath in Surrey, and is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe.

The company was called in by the Royal Navy to help solve corrosion problems with their helicopters due to the salt-spray picked up during flying operations.

Until the system was installed, the saltspray was removed with ordinary water hoses, but this was time consuming for Navy personnel.

In addition, it incurred excessive and wasteful use of water in an area subject to regular hosepipe bans during summer months.

Commodore Simon Thornwill, commanding officer at RNAS Culdrose, explained, "We spend an enormous amount of time in preventative maintenance and repairing our aircraft damaged by corrosion.

"The automatic rinse facility not only saves us time, but will extend the life of our helicopters."

The WNV system automatically applies 7,000 litres of water with an exit pressure of 108psi from jets which target the entire surface of the aircraft.

The cycle is automatically activated via an induction loop and full rinsing is achieved within three minutes.

WNV say 75 per cent of water used is reclaimed via the 210 metres of drainage channels and 60 metres of below ground pipework to a recycling unit.

This water is then stored ready for re-use in a surface reservoir with a 15,000 litre capacity.

Geoff Elbrow, director of WNV Systems said "Rinsing of both military and civilian aircraft is essential to avoid salt corrosion.

"We undertook extensive research and applied leading edge technology to develop this unique automated approach.

"The system design allows us to adapt this facility to all types of aircraft. Ultimately manual rinsing will become a thing of the past."

CCD, formed in 1952, is a founder member of the Pump Distributors Association providing off-the-shelf delivery of many leading brands from three main operating centres in London.

The company also provides comprehensive supply, installation, servicing and repair facilities for all types of pumps.

In addition, CCD manufactures its own range of products including packaged pump sets, fully-automatic sealed system pressurisation units with associated expansion vessels.

The company maintains a manufacturing base close to its headquarters south of the Thames together with depot facilities at Leyton Business Centre in North London.

Further details are available from CCD Pumps. Tel: +44 (0) 171 639 4864.