Alternative Aircraft and Airfield Deicing and Anti-Icing Formulations with Reduced Aquatic Toxicity and Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Project Data
Funds:
$600,000
Research Agency:
University of South Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Stephen Corsi
Effective Date:
11/1/2006
Completion Date:
4/30/2010
Comments:
The project final report is summarized in ACRP Research Results Digest 9.
Discharge of spent aircraft and airfield deicing and anti-icing fluids (ADAF) to receiving waters is a growing environmental concern at airports across the United States. The presence of these fluids in storm water runoff creates a potential to elevate aquatic toxicity as well as creates a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). ADAF collection is an expensive undertaking at most major U.S. airports. Lower aquatic toxicity and BOD5 may reduce infrastructure costs to airports, provide greater operational latitude to aircraft operators and airports in deicing/anti-icing operations, and improve overall air transportation system reliability.
The objectives of this project were to (1) define the present state of the art of ADAF with respect to minimizing their aquatic toxicity and BOD ; (2) identify ADAF components causing aquatic toxicity and BOD; (3) identify promising alternative ADAF formulations with reduced aquatic toxicity and BOD; (4) evaluate the performance, efficiency, material compatibility, and environmental, operational, and safety impacts of these alternative ADAF formulations compared with current commercial products; and (5) describe the fate and transport of ADAF and their degradation products.
