Snowfree®, Heated Pavement System to Eliminate Icy Runways
Date Published: 2003-06-16
Paper Number:2003-01-2145
DOI: 10.4271/2003-01-2145
Citation:
Derwin, D., Booth, P., Zaleski, P., Marsey, W. et al., "Snowfree®, Heated Pavement System to Eliminate Icy Runways," SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-2145, 2003, doi:10.4271/2003-01-2145.
During the winter months, poor runway conditions are commonplace at many airports. When ice and snow form on the runway, activity at the airport comes to a halt causing a great deal of inconvenience and expense. For passengers it may mean a delayed or canceled flight. For the airport operator it means additional costs for aircraft delays and removal equipment, its operation and man – hours. A unique pavement
Snowfree®
has been successfully tested by the FAA and installed in a taxiway at O'Hare International airport which may eliminate the problems of snowy and icy runways.
Snowfree®
(electrically conductive asphalt pavement system) formulated by Superior Graphite Co., with cooperation of the FAA and Flood Testing Laboratories, uses a unique blend of graphite's, asphalt and electricity to heat the runway surface to melt snow and ice. Where as chemicals spread on the top of the snow must work their way down before attacking the bond on the runway,
Snowfree®
breaks the bond between snow and ice at the runway surface.
This paper will focus on the successful installation and operation of the
Snowfree®
system at O'Hare International airport.
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