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Edwards introduces new and improved fuel storage system

  • Published
  • By Christopher Ball
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --   The 412th Civil Engineering Group here introduced the installation's new state-of-the-art Bulk Fuel Storage System at a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 20, 2016.

"The new Bulk Fuel Storage System, which supplies jet fuel for the Air Force Test Center's aircraft, replaces the outdated system which was built in the 1950s and has nearly doubled its original planned life expectancy of 30 years," said Clifford Cunningham, 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Cunningham is a fuels technical advisor who was instrumental in obtaining the new bulk fuel storage project approval.

The project to build the current BFSS was initiated in 2001 by the 412th Civil Engineer Group and the 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron laying out their vision to overhaul the entire fuels infrastructure, to include a new bulk storage complex.

More than fuel storage, as the name implies, the system is in place to fill tanker trucks that deliver the jet fuel to thirsty aircraft. After so many years, the original system was not running at its full capacity, which had the potential to impact the mission here by delaying fuel delivery to vital test aircraft.

"The previous storage system had failed and was only operating with a waiver permitting operation at a max of 33 percent capacity," said Joseph Hunt, 412 CE project manager for the new bulk fuel storage area.

In this capacity, the new BFSS has dramatically improved the fuel delivery capability. One of many ways this was done by adding pumps to replace a previous gravity-fed system."

The old system took 30 minutes to fill two tank trucks. Now those trucks can be filled in just 11 minutes," Cunningham said. "Edwards new BFSS is now up and running, improving fuel transfer here by 300 percent."

Satwaji Kumar, a 412 CE mechanical engineer, said he is in awe of Nova Group Inc. for constructing a complex jet fuel system.

"The safe working environment and zero leak system is a testimony for their quality work, which is commendable and truly world class," he said. "I was involved with this project from its infant stage and had the opportunity to review the design documents and be a member of the source selection board and construction.

"Over the last six years there have been monumental changes to the aging fuel system," Kumar continued. "By the end of 2017 all the fuel systems on Edwards will be restored and modernized to meet all functional and regulatory requirements."