KLINGER valves for airport fuel storage

As Peru’s main international and domestic airport, Jorge Chávez International is constantly evolving to keep pace with the region’s growing population. Named after the renowned Peruvian aviator, this facility opened its doors in the 1960s as a replacement for the smaller Limatambo Airport. Consistent upgrades and renovations over the years allowed the facility to accommodate increasing traffic and meet international standards. In 2000, the airport was placed under the management of a consortium of Peruvian and foreign companies. The group launched an ambitious multi-year expansion project and reached out to KLINGER Peru for valve assistance, resulting in a novel collaboration and a brand-new product.

More than 320 valves installed

According to Aldo Bobbio Baglietto, Sales Engineer & Project Manager at KLINGER Peru, the team was eager for the challenge. “This kind of project was totally new,” he says, “but KLINGER Peru used all our resources.” Working hand in hand with high-level companies led the team to develop a custom double block and bleed valve, with specifications tailor made. 60 of these custom valves will supply circulation and fuel storage in the first phase of the airport expansion, a station and terminals used for cargo aircraft. The end result of the project will have twice the internal floor space at 900 hectares, with Peruvian authorities estimating that passengers per year will double from 18 million to 36 million by 2025.

Robust materials for a long service life

While meeting the needs of increased passenger traffic is an obvious concern even to the casual observer, increased industrial capacity is also a major factor in expansion plans. KLINGER’s contributions to the project will also improve and expand the fire protection system, a key factor in meeting the needs of cargo carriers. This change, combined with a second runway and more than 10 km of new taxiways, will allow the airport to service a much larger scope of aircraft and more major carriers. “These are cargo planes with a high capacity,” explains Elena Rodríguez Hernández, Operational Controller at KLINGER Peru. “It’s very important not only for tourism on passenger transportation, but also for the commercial capacity of the country.” Because these valves are critical to safety and asset protection, robust materials ensure a long service life, along with weekly inspections and annual maintenance.

Not only will this expansion bring more resources and opportunities to the area, but the work itself has provided training and employment for many. Monica Elizabeth Basauri Vera estimates

The KLINGER Peru team is similarly poised to take on more custom work after this success. Not only were they able to meet the technical and time restraints of the project, but refining their in-house assembly process allowed them to deliver the valves ready to use. Aldo says, “It was a huge challenge for KLINGER Peru, but the results were so fulfilling and empowering for the whole team.”