The PLX fuel conveyance pipework system from Durapipe has recently been specified as part of a £20m project to upgrade Runway 1 at Manchester Airport.
Needing to replace infrastructure that was approaching the end of its natural life, the refurbishment has seen the runway surface replaced with a new material that provides better drainage and friction values, a new lighting system installed and a new substation constructed.
The substation houses two new 500kVa generators to power the new lighting technology, which is the first low energy LED lighting to be used on a UK runway. The fuel powered generators are the primary power source, with the mains power providing the back-up system for the lighting.
The PLX pipework system transfers fuel from a 20,000 litre external fuel tank to an internal 5,000 litre tank, which in-turn feeds the two generators.
Durapipe PLX’s resistance to corrosion made it well suited to the application, compared with metal alternatives, which can be susceptible to fuel clogging.
Reliability was of paramount importance to the airport, as Simon Hall from Central Power Services, the company that specified PLX, commented, “If the runway lighting failed for any reason, the consequences could be disastrous, so it was important that we installed a pipework system that we were confident would perform.
“The integrity of Durapipe PLX was the reason we specified the product, but its quick and easy installation was a big advantage. All of the construction work on the Runway 1 project was undertaken at night to ensure minimum disruption so we needed to work with products that were going to be as quick and simple to install as possible.”
