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Currently the U. S. Department of Defense (DoD) exclusively uses potassium acetate (KAc)-based runway deicing fluids (RDFs) to deice and anti-ice military runways and taxiways. Commercial airports predominantly use KAc, but some also use RDFs composed of KAc plus propylene glycol (PG) or urea plus PG. Conventional RDFs have environmental concerns due to toxicity as well as material compatibility problems such as corrosion of aircraft carbon brake-pad components, cadmium-plated landing gear, and airfield lighting fixtures. Under the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), Battelle tested a series of patented - bio-based RDFs to address these issues. Tests showed that the Battelle RDFs met the mandatory Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) 1435 requirements. These new RDFs have reduced ecotoxicity compared to currently used RDFs and are compliant with all other environmental requirements.

The U.S. military is evaluating environmentally friendly alternatives for aircraft deicing operations. Our goal is to prevent water and ground contamination while meeting mission flight requirements and enhancing safety. To address this goal a demonstration was performed in April 2002 at Eglin AFB, McKinley Climatic Chamber of a simulated integrated portable infrared and forced air/fluid assisted deicing with an ice imager. Such an integrated system may meet environmental standards, enhance safety, satisfy most military deicing requirements, and have commercial application. We plan to integrate these technologies, including an environmentally friendly deicing fluid, into a single unit for field testing during the winters of 2002-03 and 2003-04 at operational airfields. We compare deicing rates and environmental impacts using the simulated integrated deicing system versus a more traditional forced air/glycol deicing truck.

This paper describes Battelle's effort to demonstrate a bio-based, environmentally friendly, Type I, non-glycol deicer, called D3: Degradable by Design Deicer™. AMS 1424 D tests conducted by SMI and AMIL indicate this aircraft deicing fluid (ADF) meets the established physical properties, material compatibility, corrosion resistance, and deicing performance requirements. Its biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and lethal concentrations (LC50) are less than half of conventional Type I propylene glycol (PG) ADF levels. Spray tests were conducted in the McKinley Climatic Chamber at Eglin Air Force Base, and aircraft flight tests were conducted at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.