AMS Composite Cylinders partners with NCAS on FAAM Airborne Lab upgrade
Image courtesy AMS Composite Cylinders
AMS has supplied cylinders for a new Mass Spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph designed and built in the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL) at the University of York, an advanced piece of instrumentation for conducting atmospheric chemistry experiments mid-flight.
The new instrumentation, featuring AMS cylinders storing helium and calibration gases, will enable researchers to conduct comprehensive analyses of gases in the atmosphere, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These tests have wide-ranging applications, from climate research to local air quality monitoring, pollution assessment and detecting fossil fuel leaks.
The instrumentation will also play a crucial role in upcoming trials comparing emissions from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to conventional fuel, providing valuable insights into the environmental impact of different fuel types and contributing towards the UK’s Jet Zero strategy: delivering net zero aviation by 2050.
AMS Composite Cylinders' lightweight and durable design makes them ideal for aircraft instrumentation applications with strict weight limitations. They provide flexibility and enhanced functionality. Additionally, AMS cylinders offer 300 Bar pressure and long-lasting Non-Limited Life (NLL) cylinders, ensuring ample storage capacity, reliability and continuity throughout the instrumentation's lifespan.
Dr Stephen Andrews, Instrument Engineering Manager for NCAS, said: “AMS Composite Cylinders are the ideal solution for our Mass Spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph. We’re working with strict weight requirements and AMS offers lightweight, durable solutions in a wide range of sizes - the ideal properties for our new instrument designs. AMS meets all our requirements.”
One of the key advantages of AMS Composite Cylinders is their construction. The 6061 aluminium liner used in its Type 3 cylinders is the same grade as the Type 2 cylinders in widespread use by atmospheric scientists. This ensures consistency for scientists familiar with standard aluminium cylinders, allowing for seamless integration and reliable performance in various atmospheric chemistry experiments.
"We are thrilled to partner with FAAM on their Mid-Life Upgrade project, providing advanced cylinder solutions to support their groundbreaking atmospheric research," said James Cooper at AMS Composite Cylinders. "Our lightweight, durable cylinders offer the perfect combination of performance and reliability, enabling researchers to conduct high-precision measurements of atmospheric gases with confidence."
For further information about the FAAM Airborne Laboratory Mid-Life Upgrade project: www.faam.ac.uk/mid-life-upgrade
