Contract awarded for jet engine test facility project

  • Published
  • By Janae Daniels
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  A $27.8 million contract was awarded to Chicago Bridge and Iron Inc., for the first phase of Turbine Engine Dry Air Capability (TEDAC) here. 
 
This project constructs a new desiccant wheel facility in the Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility (ASTF) complex (built in the early 1980s) that will provide conditioned, dry air for turbine engine altitude testing. 

The current refrigeration system has suffered numerous leaks and spills that jeopardize reliable test operations. 

The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, is set to be completed in November 2010.

"The construction of the desiccant dryer facility (TEDAC Phase I) is absolutely necessary to assure environmentally safe and reliable conditioned air for turbine engine testing," Kent Lominac, deputy director of the 651st Test System Squadron. "It also provides a new ducting source of warm, moist air to support sea level turbine testing without requiring the Engine Test Facility refrigeration equipment."

AEDC requested and received approval to repair and modify the ASTF Refrigeration Cooling System to prevent any major environmental impacts due to potential trichloroethylene leaks.

According to Kris Hughes, program manager with AEDC's 651st Test Systems Squadron, the TEDAC project is the first of a five phase effort to eliminate 45,000 gallons of trichloroethylene and 24,000 pounds of R12 refrigerant dependency by AEDC.

"It will also result in significant operational cost savings for turbine testing at AEDC," Hughes said. "Headquarters AFMC has provided outstanding support to make this project a reality."

Additionally, the new capability provides conditioned air during the refurbishment of the Refrigeration Cooler (RC-1) planned for fiscal years 2010-2013.

According to David Browning, ATA program manager, cold air is necessary to simulate high altitude conditions and the air must be dry to prevent icing and condensation from severely damaging test equipment and jet engines during testing at these conditions.

It supports engine developments and upgrades for all U.S. fighter aircraft and is the only place in the world to conduct full flight envelope testing for the F-22A Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter-class engines.

"It's been a tremendous team effort getting us to this point," Ron Polce, director of the 704th Test Systems Group said. "It has taken considerable time to fully assess the condition of RC1 and the associated operational risks, craft repair and funding options, secure funding and finally to contract the work. We've reached this critical milestone with the dedicated effort from many of our AEDC organizations, from our AFMC Headquarters, from the propulsion test community and from the Army Corps of Engineers."