Edinburgh Airport

Fuel Transfer Control System Upgrade at Edinburgh Airport

We have successfully delivered a bespoke Fuel Transfer Control System to be used for critical airport infrastructure at Edinburgh Airport.

Edinburgh Airport, a vital hub for air travel in Scotland, were facing a significant operational challenge. Their existing fuel transfer control system had reached the end of its service life and required urgent replacement due to age and diminishing reliability. This system is absolutely central to the airport’s ability to safely and efficiently transfer aviation fuel to aircraft, making its reliable operation non-negotiable. The client required a modern, highly reliable system designed and implemented to their exact specifications, ensuring seamless integration and minimal operational downtime.
This new system is a prime example of the work we do in Plant Life Extension (PLEX).

Our Automated Control Solution

Working in strategic collaboration with Trident Controls (providers of Building Management Systems (BMS)), we took on the challenge of engineering a comprehensive replacement. The project was executed entirely in house by our team from concept to commissioning, demonstrating our full capability in industrial automation.

We began by designing a system that precisely matched the airport’s unique operational processes and safety protocols. The solution was not an off-the-shelf product but a custom-engineered control scheme. The new control panel was designed to be a robust, durable, and custom-built unit, housing all the necessary components for centralised control and monitoring of the fuel transfer operations.
We developed and implemented sophisticated control logic and a user-friendly Human-Machine Interface (HMI) to manage the entire fuel transfer process, ensuring optimal efficiency, safety interlocks and precise control capabilities.

Enhanced System Functionality

The new Fuel Transfer Control System incorporates key features designed to boost operational safety and simplify long-term maintenance including a Four Pump Management Set Up that is engineered to expertly control the operation of a total of four essential pumps responsible for moving the aviation fuel.
A critical addition is the integration of a fuel gauge system tied to pump run times. This allows airport staff to accurately track the operational hours of each individual pump. This data is essential for enabling safe and preventative maintenance scheduling, moving away from reactive repairs and ensuring the long-term reliability of the equipment through PLEX principles.

Plant Life Extension (PLEX)

This work at Edinburgh Airport is a perfect illustration of our focus on Plant Life Extension (PLEX). In demanding, high-value environments, completely replacing major infrastructure is often prohibitively expensive and disruptive.

By applying PLEX methodology, we can enable critical facilities (such as International Airports, power stations, and large manufacturing sites) to sustainably renew their core operational technology. We effectively replace ageing, obsolete control systems with modern, highly functional alternatives, securing ongoing, reliable operations and extending the effective life of the underlying physical assets for decades to come.

Excellence in Bespoke Control Systems

We have earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automated control systems, deployed across all four corners of the globe and managing complex operations in industries ranging from energy production and water treatment to transportation and manufacturing. Our commitment to custom engineering and quality has established our systems in critical applications worldwide.

Projects like the one at Edinburgh Airport highlight the almost unlimited possibilities of automated controls. We do more than just replace old boxes; we provide intelligent, integrated solutions that offer enhanced safety, data collection, process efficiency, and reliability, showcasing the high-value offerings we bring to the global industrial landscape.

For Edinburgh Airport, by replacing obsolete infrastructure with a modern, custom-engineered, and highly reliable control solution, they have secured the continued, efficient, and safe transfer of aviation fuel for one of Scotland’s vital transport hubs.

The enhanced functionality, particularly the Proactive Maintenance Monitoring feature, ensures that the Airport is equipped with a sustainable system designed for decades of reliable service.

This project underscores our commitment to pushing what automated controls are capable of, providing the sophisticated technology and engineering excellence necessary to maintain the operational continuity and efficiency of essential facilities worldwide.