Tomsk State University (TSU) built 24 air purification converters for aircraft compartments, which were subsequently delivered to the Yakovlev Aircraft Plant. The production capacity is sufficient to equip all new and existing Russian aircraft, according to TSU’s press service.
After surviving certification testing at AO “Kristall,” the converters were delivered to the manufacturer, Irkutsk Aviation Plant.
All aircraft compartments are required to be equipped with ozone converters to comply with international safety regulations. Four to six units are required for larger aircraft, while at least two units are required for smaller aircraft. Converters of this nature were previously exclusively manufactured in Germany and the United States; however, they are currently being produced in Russia.
This development enhances the quality of Russian aircraft manufacturing, which is one of the nation’s strategic objectives. Converter demand is expected to rise significantly as the Russian aviation industry plans to accelerate production. For instance, in the autumn of 2024, PJSC Yakovlev executed an agreement at the IX Eastern Economic Forum to supply Smartavia with 45 MC-21 aircraft.
Oleg Magaev, the Head of the Catalytic Research Laboratory at TSU, noted that the converter produced in Russia is significantly more efficient than its foreign counterparts.
These devices are essential for the purification of the air that enters the compartment at high altitudes, where ozone concentrations can be harmful to human health. The ozone converter, which is furnished with a specialized catalyst, effectively converts ozone into safe oxygen. The Superjet 100 successfully conducted a test flight with the new converter in August 2023. The device was subsequently certified and authorized for mass production in 2024.
The primary manufacturers of ozone converters on a global scale have been the American company AeroSpace and the German company BASF. Nevertheless, Russia has recently implemented its own production facility.
The Institute of Catalysis and Technology Center (IHTC) demonstrated its capability for mass production by producing 24 converters for 12 aircraft between 2022 and 2024. This preparedness was exhibited for both new and existing aircraft. This achievement reinforces Russia’s technological autonomy in this field and ensures the safety of flights.
Concurrently, the Rostec press service has reported that the United Aircraft Corporation has received a consignment of R-86 discharge arresters from the Ruselectronics holding for the new Il-114-300 regional aircraft.
The purpose of these devices is to protect onboard apparatus from the impact of lightning and powerful electromagnetic pulses. The onboard electronics are safeguarded by the discharge arresters, which are indispensable for aircraft protection.
The R-86 arrester is a component of the electrical circuit that safeguards equipment from short circuits by absorbing electrical impulses. By using metal-oxide varistors and semiconductors, it is capable of efficiently managing high voltages. The arresters are a reliable solution for aviation protection, being capable of withstanding static voltages of 8 to 12 kilovolts and dynamic voltages of up to 20 kilovolts.
The discharge of the R-86 arresters occurs along the device’s surface through the air, rather than within it, which is a critical characteristic. This significantly enhances their dependability and extends their lifespan. This design is particularly important for aviation equipment that is exposed to severe conditions, such as storm-induced inundation and lightning strikes.
The Plasma Gas Discharge Device Research Institute, a division of Ruselectronics, plans to send out an additional shipment of arresters by the end of 2025.
The safeguarding of aircraft from electricity is a critical aspect of aviation safety. Contemporary aircraft are equipped with a variety of systems to reduce the risk of electrical discharge damage. In addition to discharge arresters, the fuselage is shielded, grounding is implemented, and special conductors are implemented to redirect electrical charges from critical systems. These measures are essential for ensuring the safety of flights and averting damage to electronics on board, even during thunderstorms.
Typically, lightning strikes an aircraft and penetrates the outer shell without affecting the internal systems. This is possible because the aircraft body is made of electrically conductive materials that prevent electricity from penetrating. Nevertheless, discharge arresters, such as the R-86, activate in response to the presence of powerful electromagnetic pulses, thereby safeguarding sensitive electronics and providing an additional layer of safety. This is implemented to offer additional safeguards.
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