ABOUT US

We are suppliers of fuel cells and flexible liquid storage equipment for defense and commercial industries.

Our Story

Amfuel has concentrated its efforts in the production of coated fabrics and liquid logistics, as well as fuel cell manufacturing for the aerospace industry. In June 2015, a group of investors led by Crosslake Investment Group purchased the company with the intention of moving operations to Wichita Falls, Texas. That effort was unsuccessful. On November 30, 2018, a cooperative venture between LB Advisors and Jet Capital created an entity named LB Amfuel which purchased the assets of Amfuel with the intention of keeping it in Magnolia and returning it to a growth phase. It should be noted that the vast majority of Amfuel’s production is for the U.S. Department of Defense in support of America’s war fighters.

Amfuel is located on 71 acres, with 310,000 square feet of operation area. Amfuel employs approximately 300 workers with over 60 years of experience in the production of coated fabric products and aviation fuel cells.

Quality Standards

In accordance with the requirements of AS 9104A and AS 9100, Amfuel has been certified under the Aerospace Registration Management Program for both certifications.

• ISO 9001: 2015

• EN/JISQ/AS 9100:2016

Amfuel is qualified for the following products or service ranges: The design and manufacture of aircraft fuel cells for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft; the design and manufacture of truck mounted tanks, embankment supported tanks, dunnage bags and other coated fabric items.

Amfuel’s quality policy ensures complete customer satisfaction. Every level from management to production is involved in quality control to assure our customers receive the highest standards of product integrity and safety.

Design

Amfuel’s design and engineering departments have developed a wide range of products based upon extensive training in the complex assembly of elastomers, metals, plastics, fabrics, films, and adhesives.

With a high level of commitment to cutting-edge technology, Amfuel continues to expand its product line for military and commercial use.

Manufacturing Capabilities

Fuel Cells

History

In 1941, Ernst Eger patented a self-sealing fuel tank design for United States Rubber Company (later Uniroyal),, one of many companies involved in developing this technology during WWII A Goodyear chemist, James Merrill, filed a patent in 1941 (published in 1947) for refining and successfully testing his method for manufacturing self-sealing tanks using a two-layer system of rubber compounds encased in a metal outer shell or the wing lining of the aircraft. By 1942, fireproof tanks had developed the first flexible fuel bladders as range extender tanks for the MkIX Spitfire. These tanks were flexible containers, made of a laminated self-sealing material like vulcanized rubber, and with as few seams as possible to minimize leak paths.

Not all fighters were fitted with the relatively new invention. Self-sealing tanks tended to be heavier and of lower capacity than non-sealed tanks. Nonetheless, aircraft that were fitted with self-sealing tanks regularly took more punishment than those without and were able to return to base. Combat experience in the Pacific showed that the heavily protected American aircraft could sustain far more damage than the lightly armored Japanese designs without self-sealing fuel tanks (for instance, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero).

Modern Use

Most jet fighters and all US military rotary wing aircraft have self-sealing tanks. Military rotary wing fuel tanks have the additional feature of being crashworthy. High altitudes require the tanks to be pressurized, which makes self-sealing difficult. Newer technologies have made advances like inert foam-filled tanks to prevent detonation. This foam is open cell foam that effectively divides the gas space above the remaining fuel into thousands of small spaces, none of which contain sufficient vapor to support combustion. This foam also serves to reduce fuel slosh.

For military use, tanks are qualified to MIL-DTL-27422 (includes crashworthiness requirements) or MIL-DTL-5578 (non-crashworthy). An aircraft fuel tank sometimes consists of several interconnected fuel cells. The interconnecting hoses are typically also self-sealing.

In addition to fighter aircraft and rotorcraft, some military patrol vehicles and armored VIP limousines feature self-sealing fuel tanks. Self-sealing fuel tanks using military technology are also required in some motorsport categories.

Fabritank

Answering your needs for storing and transporting fuels, corrosive chemicals, or hazardous liquids, Amfuel’s products have been stored outside in extreme weather conditions with no risk of corrosion or leakage. Amfuel’s water and fuel logistics systems for stationary or portable applications are the safest and most cost-effective methods of distributing and transporting bulk materials by land, sea, or air.

Water Embankment Tank

Developed more than 40 years ago, water embankment tank technology continues to grow with Amfuel's list of military and commercial products for fuel and water containment. Fabritank systems have been in continuous operation for more than 20 years in a wide range of climatic environments throughout the world.

Commercial application of Fabritank containers began in the early 1960’s as supplemental on-site water storage tanks for fire protection systems and has quickly expanded to include potable and wastewater systems. This product is custom made to fit each site.

The standard shape is square and utilizes construction like a pillowcase, consisting of a top and bottom, which is installed in and supported by an earthen embankment with plumbing connections located at the bottom. Even though the square form is cheaper and deeper, there are some variations available including rectangle shaped. These offer changes in slope or depth as well. Fabritank containers specialists are available for consultation and/or field support at any time during design and installation as well as throughout the nominal operation of a Fabritank system.

The decision to install water tanks is dictated by need. Fabritank systems do the same thing that steel and concrete tanks do: They hold water: but in a way that is more pleasing to the eye. The earthen embankment may be landscaped to blend into the natural surroundings.

Embankment supported Fabritank systems are easily constructed and installed and meet changes in community needs by being easy to remove or relocate with little evidence of disturbance to the area. The systems combine many of the good features of other tanks, while making it possible to install an attractive, low profile, reasonably priced storage system in a simple and straightforward way.

Truck Mounted Tanks

Today, liquids are hauled more than 2 million miles yearly with this unique product, hauling liquids in one direction and finished goods or the product on the back haul. Due to the low value nature of the products (excluding alcohol products), it is imperative that shipments are planned and delivered with the most efficient routing to cut down the overall trucking costs. Amfuel has designed a solution based on efficiency to increase both vehicle utilizations and decrease cost / miles /gallons of delivered product by offering services that achieve lower trucking costs.

Truck mounted tanks give owners and operators exposure to new markets and loads. They give any flat deck trailer, or van, the ability to increase productivity by allowing drivers to haul a normal dry cargo one way and return home with a liquid haul. Drivers may haul raw liquid materials to a customer and then take away the finished product. Originally developed for the military; this technology has been in use commercially for more than 40 years and hauled over a million miles. These tanks are DOT approved for up to class 9 hazardous materials.

Embankment Supported Fabritank systems are easily constructed and installed and meet changes in community needs by being easy to remove or relocate with little evidence of disturbance to the area. The systems combine many of the features of other tanks, while making it possible to install an attractive, low profile, reasonably priced storage system with a simple and straightforward installation.

Any transport service company, moving liquid bulk food and food products, will be more than impressed with how easy this product works and the solutions it brings. Truck mounted tanks are loaded under pressure, filling the tank walls to make them almost rigid, which eliminates surge when hauling. Many drivers have commented that a loaded truck mounted tank is more stable than other types of containerized lading in transit. They can operate on a service temperature range from -30º to +105º F.

Truck mounted tanks can carry latex paint, liquid latex, paper cement, water, roofing slurry, lubricating oils, phenol formaldehyde resin, styrene polymer, (type b resin), urea formaldehyde resin, food grade materials, plywood glues, liquid fertilizer, fruit juices, inks, and many other products. These tanks offer their users the ability to transport their products with a global reach using a combination of air, sea, and road transportation.