Roberta Aguirre
Deicing is an essential process for airports and airlines to ensure the safety of passengers and cargo operations. While the responsibility for deicing falls on the airlines rather than the airports, the specific processes and equipment used can vary from airport to airport and airline to airline. Deicing is typically done after passengers have boarded and the plane is otherwise ready for departure, ensuring the aircraft can take off immediately after. This is because deicing solutions have a limited window of effectiveness, known as the holdover time, and if this time is exceeded, the plane must be treated again.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Responsibility for de-icing | It depends on the airport and airline. Some airlines have their own de-icing teams or contract the work out. |
| De-icing methods | Mechanical de-icing (e.g. brooms, brushes, ropes, mops, wing/propeller covers, air blowers), infrared systems, fluids |
| De-icing fluids | De-icing fluids must pass airframe material compatibility, corrosion, concrete, paint, storage stability and other standards. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are commonly used but can be harmful to aquatic life. Urea is no longer used due to environmental pollution concerns. |
| Anti-icing fluids | Thicker than de-icing fluids and are not diluted with water. They are applied after de-icing and help prevent ice build-up on the ground. |
| Holdover times | The time between de-icing application and takeoff. If the holdover time is exceeded, the plane must be de-iced again. |
| De-icing vehicles | Vehicles used to apply de-icing fluids have tanks for fluids, a means to heat those fluids, and a system to deliver those heated fluids at high pressure. |
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What You'll Learn
Deicing fluids
There are two main types of deicing fluids: deicing compounds and anti-icing compounds. Deicing compounds are diluted with water and are used to remove existing ice and snow from aircraft surfaces. Anti-icing compounds, on the other hand, are not diluted and have a thicker consistency, allowing them to stick to the plane during takeoff and prevent future ice buildup. These compounds are often dyed to easily indicate their effectiveness.
The application of deicing fluids is carefully regulated by aviation authorities and typically occurs just before departure. Deicing vehicles, similar to "cherry pickers," are used to spray the fluids onto specific areas of the aircraft, such as the fuselage top centerline, wings, and horizontal stabilizers. The fluids are applied at high pressure and heated to temperatures between 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit.
The use of deicing fluids, however, comes with environmental concerns. These fluids can contaminate surface waters and negatively impact aquatic life by consuming the oxygen needed by organisms for survival. As a result, some airports have implemented deicing fluid recovery systems to recycle the glycols in the solutions. Additionally, research is underway to find less environmentally toxic alternatives, such as hybrid deicing technology that utilizes anti-ice coatings.
While deicing fluids play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of aircraft operations during winter, the development and application of these fluids must be carefully managed to minimize their environmental impact.
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Deicing vehicles
On the other hand, chemical deicing vehicles employ liquids or solids that lower the melting point of ice and snow, turning them into liquid brine solutions. These vehicles are designed to store, heat, and deliver these chemicals at high pressure to effectively remove ice and snow from surfaces. The liquids are typically sprayed onto affected areas, while solids are spread over the ice-covered areas.
Standards and requirements for deicing vehicles are outlined by organizations such as SAE International. These standards include specifications for both self-propelled aircraft deicing vehicles and deicing/anti-icing self-propelled vehicles. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established guidelines to ensure the proper application of deicing fluids, taking into account environmental considerations and the potential impact on nearby water bodies.
The use of deicing vehicles is a critical aspect of airport operations, ensuring the safety of passengers, cargo, and aircraft. By efficiently removing ice and snow, these vehicles play a crucial role in maintaining smooth and timely operations during winter conditions.
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Deicing teams
Airlines typically make the call to engage deicing teams based on weather conditions and temperatures, adhering to guidelines set by aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. These guidelines ensure that correct deicing fluids are applied properly and under the right circumstances. Deicing fluids are crucial in removing ice and snow, which can disrupt airflow around aircraft wings, affecting lift and compromising safety.
In some cases, deicing is performed inside hangars or at arrival/departure gates, but dedicated airport aprons for deicing facilitate the collection and recycling of fluid runoff. Deicing fluids are typically glycol-based, and their environmental impact is a growing concern. Airports are implementing fluid recovery systems to recycle glycols and prevent their discharge into nearby water bodies.
Overall, the work of deicing teams is time-sensitive and critical to the safe operation of aircraft during winter conditions. Their expertise and prompt action help minimize delays and ensure the smooth departure of flights.
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Anti-icing compounds
Deicing is a critical safety procedure for aircraft, ensuring the safety of passengers and cargo operations. Airports and airlines employ various strategies to manage winter storms and maintain efficient operations during icy conditions. One crucial aspect of deicing operations is the use of anti-icing compounds, which play a vital role in preventing ice and snow buildup on aircraft surfaces.
The application of anti-icing compounds is a meticulous process. After the initial deicing procedure, ground crews may apply anti-icing fluid to the plane's surfaces. This fluid has a higher glycol concentration than standard deicing fluid, and it is applied unheated, undiluted, and thickened. By preventing the future buildup of ice while the aircraft is on the ground, anti-icing fluid ensures a clean surface for proper flight when the plane accelerates for takeoff.
In recent years, advancements in anti-icing technology have emerged. One notable innovation is the development of anti-ice coatings, which can be retrofitted onto existing aircraft through spraying. These coatings create a lubricating surface that significantly reduces the adhesion of ice, enhancing the aircraft's ability to resist icing. Additionally, some aircraft are equipped with in-flight systems, such as "bleed air systems," which utilize heat from the engine to prevent icy build-up during operation.
The use of anti-icing compounds is just one aspect of a comprehensive deicing strategy employed by airports and airlines. While anti-icing plays a vital role in preventing ice accumulation, it is complemented by other techniques, including mechanical deicing using tools like brooms, scrapers, and ropes, as well as infrared deicing systems and fluid recovery systems. By combining various methods, airports and airlines ensure the safe and efficient operation of aircraft during icy conditions.
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Environmental impact
Deicing is a necessary operation for airports in icy conditions to ensure the safety of passengers and cargo operations. However, it can have a significant environmental impact, particularly on nearby water bodies and local ecosystems. Airports are required to obtain stormwater discharge permits and ensure that waste from deicing operations is properly collected, treated, and disposed of to minimize these impacts.
One of the main environmental concerns associated with airport deicing is the potential contamination of water bodies. Deicing fluids, such as propylene glycol, can be toxic to aquatic life if discharged into waterways without proper treatment. Airports are responsible for collecting and treating wastewater generated during deicing operations to prevent this pollution. For example, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has implemented a recycling program, capturing and recycling nearly 150 million gallons of deicing fluid since 1998. The recycled fluid is processed into usable propylene glycol, which can be used again for deicing or other purposes.
Another environmental impact of airport deicing is the potential degradation of local ecosystems. The high volume of aircraft traffic and the use of deicing fluids can impact the surrounding natural environment, including wildlife and vegetation. Airports are encouraged to develop biodiversity strategies that balance the need for aircraft safety with maintaining a positive natural environment. This includes investing in improved handling facilities and processes to reduce the risk of groundwater and surface water pollution from deicing operations.
Additionally, the energy consumption and emissions associated with deicing operations can contribute to climate change and local air quality issues. Airports must consider the environmental impact of their power usage and seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint. This may include implementing energy-efficient technologies, improving waste management practices, and promoting sustainable initiatives.
To address these environmental concerns, regulations such as the Airport Deicing Effluent Guidelines have been established. These guidelines, promulgated by the US EPA in 2012, set requirements for wastewater associated with airfield pavement deicing and aircraft deicing at commercial airports. They aim to minimize the environmental impact of deicing operations and protect nearby water bodies from degradation. Compliance with these regulations is essential to ensure that airports operate sustainably and reduce their ecological footprint.
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Frequently asked questions
It is the airlines' responsibility to deice their aircraft, and they may have their own deicing teams or contract with a specialized company. Ultimately, it is the pilot-in-command's responsibility to ensure that all necessary deicing processes are carried out before departure.
Deicing fluids are applied using specialized vehicles that include tanks for fluids, a means to heat those fluids, and a system to deliver those heated fluids at high pressure. Deicing can also be done manually using mechanical movements and tools such as brooms, brushes, ropes, mops, wing/propeller covers, or air blowers. Infrared deicing systems are another method, but they require a specially constructed hangar, which limits their use.
Deicing fluids can have negative environmental impacts if they are not properly contained and managed. They can contaminate surface-level waters and harm aquatic life by consuming the oxygen needed by aquatic organisms for survival.
Anti-icing fluids are thicker than deicing fluids because they are not diluted with water. They are applied to the plane to prevent the future build-up and accumulation of ice while on the ground. Anti-icing fluids are ineffective during flight.
Ice, frost, or snow on an aircraft can affect its aerodynamics and therefore its ability to take off safely. A layer of ice or snow can disrupt the airflow around the wings, add weight to the airframe, interfere with control surfaces, or come loose in flight and cause damage to the airframe or engines.
