Senior Aerospace duct assemblies

Aircraft ECS Ducting

Both commercial aircraft and military aircraft are equipped with environmental control systems (ECS) and ecs ducting that are designed to maintain a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment for passengers and crew. The systems regulate cabin pressure, ventilation, temperature, and humidity control. Levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ventilation rates, and cabin pressure are all subject to regualtions.

ECS should provide an ample supply of air to pressurize the cabin, meet general comfort conditions, and dilute or otherwise reduce normally occurring odours, heat, and contaminants. The proportion of outside air per passenger is considerably less than in buildings, for example.

The impact therefore of contaminant exposures is always serious, and can originate outside or inside the aircraft, and in the ECS itself. Exposures can occur under routine operating conditions and under abnormal operating conditions. Contaminant exposures that occur under routine conditions include odours and infectious agents emitted by passengers, entering with ventilation air during high-altitude cruise, organic compounds emitted from residual cleaning products and other materials in the cabin, and allergens, irritants, and toxicants from other indoor and ambient sources. During abnormal operating conditions, contaminant exposures can result from the intake of chemical contaminants (such as engine lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, deicing fluids, and their degradation products) into the ECS and as a consequence, into the cabin.

For routine flying conditions, at cruising altitudes, exposure to ozone is the greatest concern. Pesticide exposure is possible on some aircraft as pesticides are sprayed on selected international flights to limit the spread of insects.

The ecs ducting itself can be a source of contamination because engine oils, hydraulic fluids, or deicing fluids may enter the cabin through the air-supply system from the engines. Many cabin crews and passengers have reported incidents of smoke or odours in the cabin.

Contamination can be responsible for some of the numerous complaints of acute and chronic health problems in cabin crew and passengers. However, proving a causal relationship between cabin air quality and the health of cabin crew and passengers is extremely difficult.

Among the possible causes of symptoms reported by passengers and cabin crew are the cabin environment itself but also fatigue, cramped seating, and jet lag. It is even possible that pre-existing conditions in sensitive groups of people are simply exacerbated by the onboard environment and only possibly, the cabin air distribution systems.

Reduced cabin pressure may adversely affect already health-compromised people, particularly those with cardiopulmonary disease. Elevated ozone concentrations have been associated with airway irritation, decreased lung function, exacerbation of asthma, and impairments of the immune system. Exposure to allergens have been reported to cause health effects, but have not been definitively documented in aircraft. Transmission of infectious agents from person to person has been documented in aircraft, but the most important transmission factors appear to be high occupant density and the proximity of passengers. Transmission does not appear to be facilitated by aircraft ventilation systems.Low relative humidity might cause some temporary discomfort (e.g., drying eyes, nasal passages, and skin), but other effects have not been proven. Pesticides that are used on some international flights can cause skin irritation and are reported to be neurotoxic, although of low toxicity in humans.

Aircraft duct assemblies

Senior Aerospace BWT manufacture flexible ducting for both low and high temperature applications, incorporating the aerospace duct assemblies, ie transitions, set bends and various end-interface connections. Ultra-lightweight flexible duct constructions are designed to meet the requirements of the aerospace industry, where light weight, flexibility, durability, low maintenance and ease of installation are all considerations.

Rigid or semi-rigid ducting for use in complex duct geometries and restricted space are manufactured from proprietary ultra-lightweight reinforced composite materials that offer smooth bore solutions, Senior Aerospace BWT’s semi-rigid ducting is the ideal partner for the flexible range when employed as part of a system solution.

Rigid components are available with honeycomb or aluminium constructions, offering great resilience. Acoustically-insulated silencer ducting gives reduced noise transmission through air distribution systems

Ducting insulation that provides optimum thermal and acoustic performance and where space and weight are regarded as critical, is the design challenge.

Senior Aerospace BWT’s thermal insulation ensures a consistent air temperature flow maximises efficiency and minimises the possible adverse effects on people's health of the inflight environement. The insulation can be supplied as an integral part of the duct or as an add-on sleeve. Various material densities and thicknesses are available enabling the engineer to balance performance, weight and cost according to system requirements.

If the goal is optimising passenger comfort and susceptibility to the environment, then fuselage, acoustic and thermal insulation panels are important, both thermal and acoustic insulation. Senior Aerospace BWT’s insulation panels are tailored to accommodate the fuselage airframe sections, ensuring an excellent fit, eliminating any heat loss or noise transmitting voids. Ultra-lightweight ducting can be incorporated into the insulation panel providing continuous air from the main feed duct into the cabin environment. This maximises the use of the space envelope between the fuselage skin and interior side wall panel. Custom fuselage insulation systems ensure coverage of the airframe throughout the aircraft, optimising performance.

QUALITY

Senior Aerospace BWT produces ducting to BS EN ISO9001, AS9100 ducting and ducting EASA PART 21 Subpart G approved