Type 1 Deicing Fluid Specifications

Aircraft · 4 min read · Apr 21, 2022
type 1 deicing fluid

Aircraft’s ground deicing is usually ethylene glycol or propylene glycol-based liquid containing water, corrosion inhibitors, wetting agents, and dyes – what about Type 1 Deicing Fluid?

De-icing solutions are similar in composition, except that they also contain polymer thickeners. They are formulated to prevent the formation of freezing contaminants that are not absorbed for a more extended period than deicing liquids. However, the protection is valid for a limited period. (See Holdover Time for more information on helpful time availability.)

The basis of the aircraft is often done in both commercial and general aviation. The liquids used in this process are called DE or sedimentation. Initial ADF (aircraft attachment fluid), ADAF (aircraft meter and anti-grin fluid), or AAF (aircraft number liquid) is commonly used.

Ethylene or propylene are typically available with various types of thickener, surfactant (wetting agent), corrosion inhibitors, color, and ultraviolet sensitive dyes. It consists of (PG). Propylene glycol solutions are more common because they have lower toxicity than ethylene glycol.

SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) has published four standards for aviation deicing liquids (SAE AMS1428 and AMS1424).

Type I liquids have a low viscosity and are considered “unconcentrated”. It is ejected from the surface immediately after use, providing only short-term protection. They are usually sprayed at high pressures (55-80 ° C, 130-180 ° F) to remove snow, ice, and frost. It is typically orange for ease of identification and application. 

An airplane parked at jetway on a snowy icy tarmac.

Chemical composition

The main component of the ground deicing of aircraft is a freezing point depressant (FPD), usually propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. The exact composition of a particular liquid brand is generally treated as confidential and proprietary information, although other ingredients vary by manufacturer.

Based on chemical analysis, the US Environmental Protection Agency has identified five major classes of additives that are widely used among manufacturers.

  1. Benzotriazole and methyl-substituted benzotriazole are used as corrosion inhibitors.
  2. Alkylphenol and alkylphenol ethoxylates are nonionic surfactants that reduce surface tension.
  3. Triethanolamine is used as a pH buffer.
  4. A high molecular weight non-linear polymer is used to increase viscoelasticity.
  5. The dye is used for identification. 

The amount of fluid required to recognize the aircraft depends on various factors. Detection of large-scale private aircraft consumes 500 US Gallons (1.900 L) and 1,000 US Gallons (3,800 L) dilutions.

The cost of the fluid varies depending on the market status. Calculating End User Conditioned as a bad service company In the United States, the total amount of fluid used is estimated at 25 million US Gallons (95,000L) in 2008 (2008 numbers adapted to the total. Showing for undiluted liquids).

Performance

The performance of the deicing liquid is mainly measured by the holding time (HOT) and the minimum operating temperature (LOUT). Holdover time (HOT) is the amount of time an aircraft can wait after being processed before takeoff.

Retention time is affected by factors such as liquid dilution, ambient temperature, wind, precipitation, humidity, aircraft skin material, and aircraft skin temperature. If the hold time is exceeded, the aircraft must be withdrawn before takeoff.

The minimum operating temperature (LOUT) is the minimum temperature at which the aircraft deicing fluid properly drains the critical surface of the aircraft and maintains the buffer required for the de-icing freezing point, 7°C (13°F).

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publishes and updates the official retention time and minimum operating temperature table for all approved ground deicing liquids annually. The retention times listed in the FAA table range from 1 to 22 minutes for Type I fluids. It depends on the above situation factors. The retention time ranges from 9 to 160 minutes for Type IV liquids.

Dilution of the fluid

The deicing liquid is most effective when diluted with water. For example, NEET’s Dow UCAR deicing liquid (Type I ethylene glycol) has a freezing point of -28°C. Water freezes at 0°C.

However, a mixture of 70% deicing liquid and 30% water freezes below -55°C. This is known as the eutectic concentration, and the mixture’s freezing point is at the lowest point, which is lower than any of the constituent materials.

The deicing liquid may be sold as a concentrated or pre-diluted formulation depending on the manufacturer. If necessary, dilution should be done according to environmental conditions and the manufacturer’s instructions to keep costs to a minimum while maintaining safety.

The dilution of a given liquid sample (and therefore its freezing point) can be quickly confirmed by measuring the index of the refractometer with a refractometer and referring to the table of liquid deicing manufacturers for the results.

An airplane flying over snowy fields in Germany.

Compliance

Manufacturers of ground deicing aircraft must use defined high-speed ramp tests, low-speed ramp tests, and water spray durability tests to prove that their products comply with the AMS1424 and 1428 standards.

These standards ensure the acceptable aerodynamic properties of the de-icing anti-icing fluid discharged from the aircraft wing and control surface during ground acceleration and ascent. As the non-glycol deicing liquid is developed, these standards are evolving to account for additional factors such as corrosion, foaming, thickening, residue formation, slipperiness, and mold growth.

Environmental impact of type 1 deicing fluid

Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol exert highly biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) during deterioration in surface water. When the microbial population degrades propylene glycol, a large amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water column is used.

This process can affect fish and other water life by adversely affecting the oxygen needed for survival. Liquids of thickness typically alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE)-E interface activity in which biological degradation products as endocrine disruptors as endocrine disrupting substances are in Europe and the US EPO test.

Using agents, a series of liquids also use toxic and biodegradable benzotriazole or trio sol corrosion inhibitors, thus sustained in that region. Research is in progress to find alternatives with fewer problems. This has proven to be a challenge for many performance and safety factors that need to be considered. American Fasapping Derivation Fluid (Killost DF Sustain) is 1,3Propanediol, a fermentation product of corn as a freezing peak hessor instead of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.

Benzotriazole (and Toyosoliazole) is not toxic but is not easily degradable, but the sorption tendency is limited. Therefore, it is removed only with wastewater treatment plants, and the essential proportion reaches surface water like rivers and lakes.

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Aeroclass Team
A team of professionals with a deep passion for the aviation industry bringing you the newest and the most striking industry-related news and content.

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