Advanced defence technology
Project details
Client challenge
BAE Systems contacted Safewell to enquire about its range of ATEX breathing air compressors for use in the potentially explosive atmospheres typically present in aircraft hangars due to the kerosene fumes.
‘BAE Systems required an off the shelf ATEX certified breathing air compressor solution’
They explained that their customers have a requirement to test the On Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) within the Hawk fighter jet on a regular basis and they were experiencing problems with the safety, reliability and quality of the compressed air delivered from standard non-ATEX compressors within the hangar. They also confirmed that they had no on-site method of testing the air quality. BAE Systems required an off the shelf ATEX certified breathing air compressor solution which had been proven in other industries, the solution also had to be mobile so that their customers could move this easily around the hangar. Another consideration was ambient temperature. The units had to operate reliably up to 40°C which is a challenge when producing breathable quality compressed air.
Discover and collaborate
The Safewell Team worked with the client in a discovery phase to understand their business operations and objectives in detail with the aim to further develop an existing fully integrated solution.
It was jointly decided that the Safewell ATEX Breathing Air Compressor fully met the requirements of this challenge, with the addition of wheels and a handle for easy manoeuvrability. This solution provides customers with a reliable source of compressed breathing air from a machine which was safe to use in a potentially explosive atmosphere.
Bespoke tailoring
Based on the design offered, the client contracted Safewell to manufacture a number of mobile ATEX Breathing Air Compressors Units to provide compressed air free from contaminants in order to test the OBOGS.
‘The electric compressor can be tailored to suit a range of differing power supplies found globally’
Some small adaptation to the proven design, the addition of wheels and a handle, allowed the client to move the unit with ease. First units were delivered to the client in Winter 2017 and will be deployed in early 2018. Extensive compatibility tests were carried out prior to delivery and air quality was validated for compliance to the standard EN12021:2014 at ambient temperatures up to 43°C.
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