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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.

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.