The Indian Navy has overcome a critical challenge affecting its MiG-29K fighter jets, thanks to a collaboration with the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune. The jets, which had experienced a significant drop in oxygen output at high altitudes, are now equipped with rejuvenated zeolites, boosting their oxygen production capabilities to 85%.
The MiG-29K fighter jets, acquired from Russia approximately 15 years ago, are equipped with an on-board oxygen generation system that utilizes zeolites. These zeolites, inorganic materials composed of silica, aluminium, and cations, function by selectively adsorbing nitrogen from the air to produce oxygen. However, over time, exposure to moisture degraded the zeolites, causing oxygen output to plummet to a concerning 30%.
Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Navy turned to NCL in November of last year. NCL, having developed an innovative zeolite rejuvenation process, offered a solution. The laboratory's optimized process successfully boosted oxygen output in the MiG-29K's oxygen generation system to an impressive 85%.
"The zeolite in the system absorbed moisture over the years, hindering its efficiency," explained Vijay Bokade, head of NCL's catalysis and inorganic chemistry division, who led the project alongside Prashant Niphadkar and a team of research students.
NCL's expertise in zeolite technology stemmed from their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with a shortage of medical-grade oxygen, the laboratory developed a zeolite material capable of delivering 93% pure oxygen. This achievement, publicized on NCL's website, caught the attention of the Indian Navy, who were grappling with the oxygen deficiency in their MiG-29K fleet.
The collaboration began with the Navy providing NCL with 5kg of zeolite material for testing. "We applied our patented processes, and the rejuvenated zeolites performed well in both ground and flight tests," Bokade stated. Impressed with the results, the Navy then supplied an additional 54kg of material, which NCL successfully rejuvenated and deployed in the MiG-29K fighter jets, restoring them to operational status.
Currently, NCL is fulfilling the Navy's request for another 54kg of zeolite material. While replacement is an option, the rejuvenation process, which takes two to three days per kilogram of zeolite, offers a more immediate solution.
Beyond its application in fighter jets, NCL's zeolite technology has far-reaching potential. It can be used in biogas purification to isolate methane and in hydrogen purification for the production of hydrogen fuel. This highlights the versatility and significance of NCL's innovation in addressing diverse technological challenges.
