Every flight comes with one simple question: Is the air I’m breathing clean? For aircraft, the answer to this question is directly correlated to the quality of the safety measures taken and the performance of the equipment used. Because of this, advanced aircraft filtration systems are the most vital step in protecting your fleet against a world full of airborne dangers. At Global Filtration, we are an FAA-approved manufacturer of PMA aircraft parts. This means that our aircraft filtration systems are designed to work at the same level of accuracy as original aircraft filtration parts, making our products the most cost-efficient, safe option.
Within the sphere of aviation, there are 5 primary challenges that aircraft filtration systems are designed to solve. By understanding and learning about these challenges, you can approach your aircraft maintenance and inspection process more thoroughly and with more confidence, knowing your system from Global Filtration won’t fail you when you need it most.
Challenge #1: Airflow Dynamics – A Silent Force Against Your Filtration System
While many people may think of the particles within unfiltered air as the primary cause for the majority of aircraft air flow issues, that couldn’t be further from the truth. When flying at a range of altitudes and extremely high speeds, the air flow rate can be hard to regulate. The increase and decrease of this rate can quickly compromise filtration. Understanding how these pressure influxes and velocity rates can impact your system is vital for protecting your engine.
When air flow begins to increase significantly, a phenomenon known as particle bypass can occur. This happens when particles are moving extremely fast and can push past the filter or are forced through the mesh. What makes this difficult to manage is that if the pores are too fine, it can impede the flow of air to the engine, resulting in hazardous danger and inefficiency.
At Global Filtration, we create solutions for this common challenge by using innovative, sometimes even custom designs to achieve both precise filtration, without compromising on air flow requirements. In many designs, we can use technology and centrifugal force to help spin out larger particles before they reach the primary aircraft filter. This can help create a multi-step technique that caters to the needs of the system.
Challenge #2: Airborne Particulates – Invisible Enemies
While some nervous flyers might think the pilot and air traffic controllers are in charge of avoiding the most dangerous objects, the microscopic particles that the filter resists can actually be some of the most dangerous. Regardless of where the particles come from, they each pose an equally dangerous, silent danger to aircraft – requiring high-quality, dependable aircraft filtration systems.
This can cause acute damage to the aircraft’s system, including:
- Abrasive erosion: This is primarily caused by hard particles like sand, dust, or volcanic ash. They act like sandpaper and can significantly wear down critical engine components. Because of this, they can be especially detrimental to compressor blades, seals, and other moving parts. Over time, they can lead to complete shutdowns and failures in the engine compartment.
- Clogging and restriction: Over time, particulate matter can begin to build up on the filter as it gradually gets trapped on the surface of the filter. As this begins to grow, it can form a thick layer that severely restricts airflow to the engine. A “starved” engine uses more fuel and has reduced power. This not only leads to higher operating costs but also to underperformance and decreased safety.
- Corrosion: Many particles from salt or chemicals can corrode the metal aircraft parts. Eventually, this can lead to significant corrosion. This, in turn, will weaken a vital aspect of the system and lead to premature failure.
- Melting and fusion: Jet engines are extremely hot and can cause certain types of particles to melt and fuse into crucial internal components. As more particles melt, they can form a hard, glass-like coating that disrupts the airflow and even clogs fuel nozzles. As it continues to grow thicker, it can cause catastrophic danger, like a full engine fire.
Challenge 4: Your Last Line of Defense – Engine Protection Systems for Aircraft Filtration
The engine protection system is the most vital aspect of advanced aircraft filtration and also serves as the last line of defense between dangerous particles entering the plane’s usable air flow. Many people see the engine as the heart of the aircraft – one small blockage can have dire, detrimental consequences. The biggest challenge for protecting it is finding a perfectly accurate and efficient filter fit. Many modern aircraft have incredibly small, compact spaces for the engine system, so this introduces the immense value of high-quality, PMA-certified custom aircraft filtration systems like those made here at Global Filtration.
We prioritize seamless integration into your system when we supply your aircraft with a custom air filter. This ensures that your entire system is able to function properly without putting unnecessary strain on other components of your internal system that could cause premature failure. If you value efficiency and proactive planning, our custom aircraft filtration parts are the perfect solution.
Challenge #5: Environmental Resistance – How Aircraft Air Filtration Systems Must Fight Outside Factors
Air filters have to be able to resist much more than just physical particles within the aircraft’s internal system. Aside from dust, sand, and chemicals, they also must be able to withstand the weather and climate conditions that could potentially impact the engine and other vital components. This could include things like ice from flying at high altitude or high humidity.
In humid environments, the moisture in the air can quickly and easily turn into a sticky residue that clogs filters. This is why preventative maintenance for your aircraft filtration systems is an essential aspect of year-round aircraft upkeep.
While preventative maintenance is key, throughout the year, the environmental challenges can differ greatly:
- Spring: Increased levels of pollen can be tough for filters that are ill-fitting. This is especially because the pollen tends to be sticky and can quickly coat the surface of the filter.
- Summer: Oftentimes, summer months can bring more dust in the highly abrasive air. Improperly installed filters can erode your engine components.
- Winter: In many climates, winter brings extremely icy, frigid temperatures, especially when in high altitudes. Additionally, moisture from the air can freeze on the filter – potentially leading to blocked airflow.
- Fall: While falling leaves are beautiful, they can also lead to large particles accumulating on the outside of the filter and increasing the load.
Protecting Your Investment with Advanced Aircraft Filtration Systems
While the challenges posed by the myriad of airborne threats are many, using high-quality, PMA-certified aircraft filtration systems can help protect the quality of air that your staff and your patrons breathe. When you work with Global Filtration, not only will your aircraft filters be more reliable, but you will also have constant access to our professional service for proactive, efficient maintenance and inspection services – making sure every flight is safe and secure. Contact us for a free advanced aircraft filtration system estimate today!