Aerospace & Space: Flow, Pressure, Vacuum and Pump Solutions for Test, Build & MRO
UK‑based at the Hethel Engineering Centre near Norwich, PCT supplies and supports aerospace and space organisations across the UK with precise flow, pressure, vacuum and gas‑mixing instrumentation for propulsion R&D, engine and component test, hydraulic/fuel systems, environmental simulation and ground support equipment (GSE). We integrate mass flow controllers/meters, Coriolis solutions, back pressure and vacuum regulators, gas mixers, turbines, dew point, compressed‑air analytics, leak detection and peristaltic pumps - with ATEX/IECEx options where needed.
Typical aerospace applications
Propulsion R&D and thruster testing
From satellite thrusters to air breathing test articles, propulsion labs require repeatable gas/liquid mass flow control, rapid set point changes, hazardous area options, and high pressure operation.
Relevant products:
- Alicat CODA Coriolis meters/controllers – direct mass flow & density for gases/liquids, up to 240 bar option; excellent at low flows and resistant to vibration.
- Alicat ISMCQ Intrinsically Safe MFCs - ATEX/IECEx Zone 0, up to 22 bar; ideal where explosive atmospheres may be present.
- Alicat MCR High Flow Gas MFCs - up to 10 000 SLPM for purge, inerting and high volume supply on engine/combustion rigs.
Key benefits:
- Accuracy & repeatability - at both ultra low and very high flows improves test fidelity and data correlation
- Safety & compliance - via ATEX/IECEx options for fuels/oxidisers test areas
- Fast dynamics (ms level response) - reduce settling time between points to accelerate test schedules
Fuels & hydraulics (Skydrol® and fuels)
Aircraft hydraulic systems use phosphate ester fluids (e.g., Skydrol®). Test rigs also monitor fuel, lube and coolant flows with high accuracy and robustness.
Relevant products:
- Lake P Series Variable Area meters (Phosphate Ester) – built for Skydrol® type fluids, up to 414 bar, choice of seals and sizes.
- LX Liquid Turbine Flowmeters – ±0.5% of reading, low pressure drop, ATEX intrinsically safe pickoffs/displays available.
Key benefits:
- Fluid compatibility with phosphate esters to avoid seal/swelling issues on hydraulics rigs.
- High linearity and repeatability for fuel/coolant characterization and endurance testing.
Altitude and vacuum simulation
Environmental labs simulate high altitude/space vacuum conditions; tight, hysteresis free control is essential for chambers and ejector systems.
Relevant products:
- Equilibar EVR Vacuum Regulators – high resolution vacuum control from ¼" to 4"; stainless or polymer bodies for chemical compatibility.
- Equilibar Dome loaded Back Pressure Regulators (GSD series) – ultra stable upstream pressure for recirculation loops, ejector primaries and injector testing.
Key benefits:
- Frictionless diaphragm technology eliminates stiction for fast, stable control across wide flow ranges.
- Wide materials/temperature range for compatibility with harsh test media and conditions.
Synthetic atmospheres & gas mixing
Combustion studies, sensor calibration and environmental simulation demand precise multi gas recipes with fast step changes and robust data logging.
Relevant products:
- Fusion Flow MXM Precision Gas Mixers – up to 10 channels, ±0.6% accuracy, 25ms response, flows from 200SCCM to 50,000SLPM
- Fusion Flow IMX Industrial Gas Mixers – up to 4 channels, ruggedised for 24/7 factory use.
Key benefits:
- Repeatable synthetic atmospheres and stoichiometry control improve experiment consistency.
- Industrial integration (Modbus/Ethernet, touchscreen, data logging) speeds setup and traceability.
Compressed air systems & GSE energy management
Hangars and production sites rely on compressed air; energy costs are significant. Monitoring flow, balancing loads and eliminating leaks deliver major savings.
Relevant products:
- CS Instruments VA 570 Inline Flow Meter – stainless wetted parts, ATEX options, Modbus/PoE; DN8–DN80
- Compressed Air & Gas portfolio – meters, loggers, power/quality, leak management.
Key benefits:
- Real time consumption & balancing spotlight inefficiencies; integration to BMS/PLC for alarms/analytics.
- Documented savings and ISO style reporting across sites and shifts.
Leak detection & production QA
Ultrasound leak detection and pressure decay/flow methods reduce energy losses, improve yields and accelerate QA on components and assemblies.
Relevant products:
- CS Instruments LD 500/LD 510 Leak Detectors – handheld ultrasound with photo capture and cost logging for ISO 50001 workflows
- Application: Faster leak checks with Alicat – pressure decay + mass flow method for rapid, accurate leak rate quantification.
Key benefits:
- Find & prioritise leaks quickly, quantify £/year impact, and generate reports for continuous improvement.
- Shorter test cycles with precise set point control and high resolution flow measurement.
Fluid transfer & dosing on test rigs
Clean, repeatable liquid transfer for calibration fluids, coolants and additives—on benches and portable rigs.
Relevant products:
- Longer Industrial Peristaltic (G100/G300/G600 1L) – IP66, Modbus/RS 485, timed/volume modes; 0.15µL/min to 3.25L/min (model dependent).
- Longer BT100 3J Bench Pump – compact, external control (0–10V/4–20mA/RS 485) for labs
Key benefits:
- Media isolation & cleanliness (no valves, fluid only in tubing) and quick changeover.
- Flexible control for batching, continuous dosing and remote automation.
Test bench liquid measurement (lube/coolant/fuel)
Engine/APU/actuator benches require accurate volumetric measurement with low pressure drop and robust electronics.
Relevant products:
- LX Liquid Turbine with displays/4–20mA/pulse; ATEX IS versions available.
Key benefits:
- ±0.5% reading accuracy with scalable outputs and batching options; friendly integration to PLCs.
Air & gas quality / breathing air compliance
Dry, clean air/gas is critical for breathing systems, inerting and environmental chambers.
Relevant products:
- CS Instruments FA 515 Ex Dew Point – ATEX Zone 1 transmitter, −80…+20°Ctd, up to 500bar
- CS Instruments FA 550 Dew Point – IP67 rugged housing with dual 4–20mA/Modbus options.
Key benefits:
- Compliance ready dew point monitoring for breathing air and inert gas lines.
- Harsh environment deployment (outdoor/GSE) with waterproof, vibration resistant design.
Aerospace Application Selection Guide
| Application | Recommended Technologies | Why It Helps |
|---|
| Propulsion R&D & Thrusters | CODA Coriolis meters/controllers; ISMCQ (ATEX) MFCs; MCR high flow MFCs | Direct mass flow & density, ATEX safety, high flow purge, fast control loops |
| Hydraulics & Fuels (Skydrol®, fuel, lube) | Lake P Series (phosphate ester VA); LX Liquid Turbine | Compatibility with Skydrol® fluids; high accuracy and low pressure drop on test stands |
| Altitude/Vacuum Simulation & Ejectors | Equilibar EVR vacuum regulators; GSD back pressure regulators | Frictionless diaphragm precision for stable vacuum/upstream pressure across wide flow ranges |
| Synthetic Atmospheres / Gas Recipes | Fusion Flow MXM (precision) or IMX (industrial) gas mixers | Up to 10 gases, ±0.6% accuracy, 25ms step response, easy integration and logging |
| Compressed Air & GSE Energy | VA 570 inline meters; compressed air portfolio | ATEX options, stainless wetted parts, Modbus/PoE, site wide analytics for energy savings |
| Air/Gas Dryness & Breathing Air | FA 515 Ex (Zone 1); FA 550 (IP67) | Compliance ready dew point monitoring under pressure and in harsh environments |
| Leak Detection & QA | LD 500/510 handheld ultrasound; Alicat leak test method | Rapid leak localisation with cost logging; faster acceptance testing with precise flow/pressure |
| Liquid Transfer & Dosing | Longer G series (IP66) industrial; BT100 3J bench pumps | Media isolation, robust enclosures, flexible external control for dosing and continuous flows |
FAQs
The Lake P Series variable area meters are specified for phosphate ester fluids such as Skydrol® with high pressure capability and appropriate seal options. For fuel/lube/coolant volumetric measurement, the LX Liquid Turbine provides ±0.5% reading accuracy with IS pickoffs available.
Yes - Alicat ISMCQ mass flow controllers are ATEX/IECEx Zone 0 certified for higher pressure gas control in explosive atmospheres. For compressed air/gas flow metering in ATEX zones, the CS VA 570 inline meter offers ATEX variants.
Equilibar EVR precision vacuum regulators (¼"–4") deliver high resolution, hysteresis free control. Pair with Equilibar GSD back pressure regulators to stabilise upstream pressure in ejector/recirculation loops.
Use Fusion Flow MXM (up to 10 gases, lab grade precision) or IMX (rugged industrial) mixers. Both deliver ±0.6% mixture accuracy with ~25 ms step response and digital interfaces for recipe control and logging.
Meter and balance flows with VA 570 inline meters, log and analyse with the compressed air portfolio, then locate and quantify leaks using LD 500/510 ultrasound detectors with cost reporting for ISO style programmes.
FA 515 Ex (ATEX Zone 1, up to 500 bar) for classified or high pressure service; FA 550 for rugged outdoor/GSE installs (IP67) with dual analogue/Modbus outputs.
Yes - Drastar 082 single stage 6000 psi/420 bar inlet regulators with SS316 bodies and multiple outlet ranges, ideal for high pressure supply conditioning.
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