IndianOil supplies air force with an automated refueled
New Delhi   14-Dec-2007
Flagship refiner-marketer IndianOil Corporation has set up an automated refueling system that can tank up or empty out at a time three fuel-guzzling aircraft such as Russian transporter IL-76 being used by the Indian Air Force. The new facility has been set up at the Agra air force station and is the first such system in the air force. IndianOil Aviation, the state-owned company's aircraft refueling business wing, has set up the system that is known as 'hydrant refueling system' in industry parlance. This automated system has been developed by Indian Oil’s R&D division and replaces the conventional system of refueling aircraft from a tanker-bowser. The system has been set up at Agra air force station primarily to cater to the very large fuel requirements of the fleet of heavy transporters such as IL-76 and IL-78 based there. Before the system was in place, tanker-bowsers were being used to refuel these aircraft. This method took a long time as such heavy aircraft usually have large fuel tanks. IndianOil sources reckon the Agra station requires about Rs 3,000 kl (kilolitre) to keep its fleet of such heavy transporters based there flying. The system has been constructed with state-of-the-art technology and the complete system is automated. With a total pumping capacity of 11,000 litres per minute, the system enables simultaneous refueling of three aircraft. The system is also the first of its type as a special provision has been made for de-fuelling of the aircraft, which is normally carried out with regulars. Vice-Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal B N Gokhale, recently inaugurated the system at the 78 Squadron Complex at the Agra station in the presence of R Sareen, IndianOil's general manager (aviation). The project has been executed on deposit-work basis. This means the IAF provided the funds, while IndianOil carried out the construction. The project is estimated to have cost Rs 17.5 crore. Sareen said IndianOil has a formidable reputation in constructing high-tech refineries, cross-country pipelines, state-of-the-art automated storage terminals and modern retailing outlets. It is also a pioneer in the execution and operation of hydrant refueling systems. Air Marshal Gokhale said the system would go a long way in increasing the efficiency of refueling and hoped it would soon be installed at other air force stations.