Aluminium air delivery system for aerospace plant
August 12th 2011

Teseo’s leak-free aluminium compressed air delivery system has been installed by distributor Industrial Air Power (IAP) at the GKN Aerospace plant in Bristol where the company will produce composite parts for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

As a First Tier supplier to the global aviation industry, GKN Aerospace is a leader in composite and metallic technologies with its business focused on military and civil markets alike. The recent construction of a new facility in Western Approach, Bristol, by Kier with MJN Colston required the installation of new compressors and compressed air pipework. Following a tender process, South Wales based Industrial Air Power was awarded the contract.

IAP area sales manager, Matthew Lacey explains the project specification: “The plant required a compressed air and vacuum system including generating equipment and a controller, housed within a GRP plant room. We supplied a turnkey solution including the design, supply and installation of all vacuum and compressed air plant room equipment, over 4km of pipework, testing and commissioning. Each production facility has a high level distribution system constructed using Teseo’s Hollow Bar System (HBS) aluminium pipework system.”

Teseo’s HBS and aluminium profile (AP) products meet regulatory requirements, provide a 100% leak free system and have valved zoning. In an industrial application this versatility means that individual production areas can be automatically isolated when not in operation to eliminate air leakage, useful when seeking to boost energy efficiency.

Teseo’s aluminium extruded piping has an external rectangular section with tee slots and a fine, smooth internal bore making it an attractive solution as well as practical. A wide selection of angle and straight joints and clamping brackets make the system flexible in layout and quick to install.

Michael Hedges, technical plant engineer at GKN Aerospace, comments: “This is the first time GKN Aerospace has used Teseo’s extruded aluminium pipework and final commissioning proved to be very successful. It’s also the first time we’ve worked on a new, large-scale installation with IAP. They were required to work to a very flexible open design philosophy; working alongside other service providers to install the ring main based systems on a tight schedule they hit the targets.”

Matthew Lacey adds: “The Teseo product’s versatility enabled us to adjust our design as the client modified their own specification.

“Being so light and easy to install gives it immediate advantages. Our installers were able to satisfy demands and meet requirements without any problems at all.”

Lighter than traditional steel airlines to install, thus reducing stress on buildings, Teseo lines are energy efficient due to the high flow rates of smooth profiled aluminium tube. The company says these are typically 30% higher than steel which equates to a lower pressure drop and energy and cost savings from day one.

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