SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant advancement for India’s defence capabilities, the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) has partnered with the Indian Air Force’s 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) to address a critical issue with the On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) of the MiG-29 fighter jets. This collaboration has led to the development of an innovative process to rejuvenate the zeolite material, essential for providing oxygen to pilots at high altitudes.
Zeolite, a porous mineral used in OBOGS to separate oxygen from the air, gradually loses its effectiveness as it absorbs moisture, reducing the oxygen supply to pilots. This degradation posed a significant challenge to the operational efficiency of the MiG-29 jets, vital for India’s air defence.
CSIR-NCL researchers developed a novel rejuvenation method for zeolite, enhancing its performance and extending the lifespan of OBOGS units. This process involves removing absorbed moisture and restoring the zeolite’s original properties, which are crucial for efficient oxygen generation.
After successful lab-scale trials, the rejuvenation process was scaled up to meet the needs of multiple aircraft. The refurbished OBOGS units have shown remarkable performance, accumulating substantial flight hours without any operational hiccups, thereby proving the efficacy of the solution.
The rejuvenation of zeolite ensures that pilots have a reliable source of oxygen, which is critical for high-altitude missions, thus enhancing the operational readiness of the MiG-29 fleet.
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