Runway Deicer - Potassium Acetate E-36®



E36 is a potassium acetate-based liquid runway deicer that meets FAA-approved specifications for use by commercial airports and military bases.

Description of E-36

E-36 liquid runway deicer is a potassium acetate-based runway deicer that was approved for use in the U.S. in 1992. Because of its high performance and low environmental effect, the use of E-36 expanded rapidly at airports and military bases. Airport maintenance personnel are called upon to keep runways clean and safe without harming the environment. With legislative and environmental pressures mounting, airports have changed deicing practices. E-36 set a new standard for runway deicers.


E-36 has been shown to be safe for use at air force bases utilizing the B-2 Bomber. Per testing by Northrop Grumman, "All test specimens were unaffected by the exposure of Cryotech E-36 runway anti-icing fluid."


Please see the E-36 Fact Sheet for a brief summary of E-36's benefits, application information, and product specifications. B-2 Bomber


ADVANTAGES OF E-36

E-36 is a high performance, environmentally responsible alternative to glycol and urea based products. Experienced users make the following observations about E-36.

HIGH PERFORMANCE


* Excellent anti-icing and deicing characteristics.

* Faster than other runway deicers.

* Active at low temperatures (-20 deg F and below).

* Works longer; requiring fewer applications.

* Less slippery than glycol-based products.



ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE

* Does not contain urea or glycol.

* Lower Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) than glycol-based runway deicers.

* Biodegrades at low temperatures.

* Biodegrades to carbon dioxide and water.


SAFE FOR AIRCRAFT

* Authorized for use at airports by FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-30A.

* Meets material compatibility requirements of SAE AMS 1435.

CUSTOMER PROFILE


Commercial airports and military bases that are concerned with the quality of storm water run-off and require a high performance deicer can benefit from E-36. With increased concerns of deicing chemicals reaching receiving waters, airport managers consider E-36 an important tool in managing environmental issues associated with storm water run-off. If storm water drains directly from runways or taxiways into a body of water, NPDES discharge permits require regular monitoring of run-off to determine certain characteristics, including BOD and contaminants. Because of low BOD and high performance, E-36 can help acheive storm water run-off objectives. The U.S. EPA gave notice to airports to evaluate the use of potassium acetate (E-36) in lieu of ethylene-glycol and/or urea. (Federal Register, 09/29/95)


Product Specifications

E-36 meets FAA approved specification SAE AMS 1435, "Fluid, Generic, Deicing/Anti-icing, Runways and Taxiways".

* Composition:.....50% by weight potassium acetate in water plus corrosion inhibitors

* Appearance:.....Clear, colorless, mobile liquid, free from matter in suspension

(May be dyed blue at customer request)

* Density..1.28 g/cc (10.68 lb/cf) at 20 deg C (68 deg F)

* pH:.....11.0 +/- 0.5

* Viscosity:.....10 cp maximum at 20 deg C (68 deg F) and 20 cp maximum at 0 deg C (32 deg F)

* Flashpoint:.....Nonflammable

* Freezing Point:.....-60 deg C (-76 deg F)

* Water Miscibility:.....Complete and does not separate in storage

* Specific Gravity:......1.25 - 1.30 at 20 deg C

* Storage:......No special storage required (do not use galvanized materials)

* Packaging:......55 gallon drum; 265 gallon totes, bulk


Minimum orders: 4 drums, 1 tote, 4400 gallons bulk


See product MSDS for more information.



PRODUCT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

* E-36 may be used as an anti-icer or as a deicer. It should be applied at ambient temperature - not heated. Suggested application rates follow, but should be used as a starting point, since local conditions will have significant affect on fluid requirements.

* The most efficient use of E-36 is as an anti-icer, pre-treating the pavement before precipitation actually starts. A high traction film then exists to prevent adhesion of ice and snow, which can then be mechanically removed. Uniform coverage is important.

* Experience suggests that E-36, when used as a deicer, may be applied in an even film or in bands on 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) centers. Banding reduces dilution from melting, allowing the fluid to penetrate to the surface and break the bonds of ice and snow prior to mechanical removal.

* Loose snow is not a good medium for movement of E-36. Therefore, clearing loose snow prior to application, or using high penetration nozzles will enhance performance.

* E-36 penetrates to the surface more readily through hard-packed snow, thin ice, or ice with natural cracks and flaws. Generally, the longer ice remains on the surface, the stronger it bonds, and therefore, the more difficult it is to remove.

* E-36 is effective as a pre-wetting agent on sand and solid deicers like Cryotech NAAC.

* ADVISORY - E-36 does not separate at low temperatures, as is common with glycol-based mixtures, and therefore, does not require heated storage. Separation in storage has also been reported by airports using substitute potassium acetate deicers.

* No special storage is required, with the exception of galvanized materials - avoid these in piping and storage systems. Potassium acetate is known to have a relatively slow reaction with zinc-coated materials. This is not an issue for roadway appurtenances where exposure time is limited.

PRODUCT APPLICATION RATES

The amount of E-36 to be applied is determined by surface temperature and the quality and quantity of ice. Conditions vary, therefore, these application rates are suggested starting points to be adjusted locally as required.


STANDARD SHIPMENTS


E-36 is shipped to customers in the following units:

* Rail Tank Cars.....18,000 gallons (68,000 liters)

* Tank Trucks.....4,400 gallons (16,600 liters)

* Isotanks.....4,000 gallons (15,000 liters)

* Totes.....265 gallons (1,000 liters)

* Drums.....55 gallons (200 liters)

Certification To Current Revision AMS 1435

The FAA has established standards for liquid runway deicers. At this writing, SAE AMS 1435 covers all deicing/anti-icing fluids including E-36. This specification identifies material and environmental properties, and establishes minimum standards for material compatibility and performance. E-36 meets or exceeds all requirements of this standard as indicated below. Current certifications are supplied at customer request.

SAMPLING PROCEDURE


Reference the suggested sampling procedure prior to sending a sample to Cryotech's Quality Assurance Lab. Contact FYVE STAR, Inc. or Cryotech with any questions by phone (800)346-7237 or email.

ADVISORY MIXING FLUIDS

Cryotech E36® is certified to comply with SAE AMS 1435. Fluids meeting this specification are unique to each manufacturer and may be adversely affected by mixing with other deicing/anti-icing fluids. Therefore, Cryotech recommends that E36 not be mixed with other manufacturers' products.

Application of E-36 Runway Deicer

ANTI-ICING



E-36 is most effective when applied uniformly to pavement surface before freezing precipitation. Prompt mechanical removal of snow and ice is necessary to reduce fluid dilution. Additional applications may be necessary if snow and ice begin to bond to the surface.

* Apply.....0.5 gallons/1000 )

DEICING

E-36 is an effective deicer when applied in an even film or in bands on 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) centers. The deicer penetrates to the pavement surface and breaks the bond of ice and snow prior to mechanical removal. Banding reduces dilution from melting and allows the fluid to penetrate. The amount of deicer needed varies with temperature and thickness of snow or ice, but should be in the following ranges.

* Apply on thin ice.....1.0 gallon/1000 f∑ (50 g/m∑)

* Apply on 1" (2.5 cm) ice.....3.0 gallons/1000 f∑ (150 g/m∑)



PRE-WETTING

E-36 will speed the effect of solid deicers and abrasives. E-36 is applied at the spreader outlet, typically for prewetting rates of 5% to 15% by weight of solid material.


* Apply.....1.25 gallons per 100 lbs of deicer or sand (130 g/kg of deicer or sand)


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Environmental Impact:

Tests with E-36 show it readily biodegrades at low temperatures and has a low oxygen demand (BOD) when compared to glycol-based deicers. Toxicity tests rate E-36 "relatively harmless" to aquatic life, the most favorable classification used by the environmental community. And the fluid contains neither ammonia nor nitrogen. Therefore, E-36 is considered much safer for the environment than either glycol or urea.

As suggested by the FAA, the following general summary of environmental and hazard information is provided. Additional detail is available in the MSDS. Complete test report documentation is available upon request from Cryotech.



BIODEGRADABILITY

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) of E-36 was determined using EPA Method 410.1

* COD (TOD) = 0.30 gm O2/gm

The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of E-36 was determined using the EPA approved dilution method (Hach).

* BOD20 @ 2 deg C = 0.30 gm O2/gm

* BOD20 @ 20 deg C = 0.30 gm O2/gm

* BOD5 @ 20 deg C = 0.14 gm O2/gm


AQUATIC TOXICITY

Current EPA methods were used for measuring the acute and chronic toxicity of E-36. According to the US Fish and Wildlife scale, material with an LC50 greater than 1000 mg/L is "relatively harmless", which is the least toxic material classification.


* Fathead minnow 7-day chronic.....LC50 > 1500 mg/L

* Rainbow trout 96-hour acute.....LC50 > 2100 mg/L

* Daphnia magna 48-hour acute.....LC50 > 3000 mg/L



HAZARD INFO

* Hazardous Waste & Shipping

E-36 is not a listed hazardous waste. The RCRA regulations define hazardous waste in two ways: a listed hazardous waste or a characteristic hazardous waste. A waste may be considered hazardous if it exhibits any one of four characteristics - corrosivity, toxicity, ignitability, or reactivity. A waste is corrosive under RCRA if it has a pH less than or equal to 2.0 or greater than or equal to 12.5. E36 is not RCRA corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive; therefore, it is not a characteristic hazardous waste.

* No Hazardous Components

E-36 contains no hazardous components as described by SARA Title III, Section 302. Nor is E-36 designated as a hazardous chemical by the U.S. Department of Transportation. E-36 does not contain nitrates.


SPILL HANDLING PROCEDURES

E-36 is not expected to present environmental problems. If product should spill, it should be absorbed and the resulting waste disposed of in a sanitary landfill unless state or local regulations prohibit such disposal.

* Container and Product Disposal

Based on information available to Cryotech Deicing Technology, E-36 is neither listed as a hazardous waste, nor does it exhibit any of the characteristics that would cause it to be classified or disposed of as a RCRA hazardous waste. Empty containers and product unsuitable for normal deicing operations may be disposed of in a sanitary landfill unless state or local regulations prohibit such disposal.


Compatibility With Electrical Components


E-36 is an ionized solution and is more conductive than water. Users are advised to take precautions to prevent solutions containing E-36 from entering subsurface conduits and electrical components. E-36 is compatible with most materials, but exceptions occur such as with galvanized metals. Do not use E-36 with galvanized materials.


EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

When selecting equipment to transport, store, and apply potassium acetate runway deicers, the following guidelines should be considered:



Pumps:


* Stainless steel is preferred, but not required.

* Avoid brass and cast aluminum, and cast iron.

* Positive displacement pumps are preferred.

* Avoid large bore, low head (pressure) centrifugal pumps.


Pipes:

* Stainless and carbon steel, PVC, polyethylene, and rubber are okay.

* Avoid galvanized metal piping and fittings.

* Pipe joints should be joined by welding or with compression fittings.

* Avoid threaded joints or use high quality pipe thread sealants.

Seals:

* Butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), isoprene, natural rubber preferred.

* Nitrile (Buna N), hypalon, neoprene rubber generally acceptable.

* Avoid butadiene, flourocarbon rubber, fluorosilicon, polyacrylate, polyurethane, SBR rubber (Buna S), silicon rubber.


Tanks:

* Shipping and storage in stainless steel, fiberglass, or polyethylene containers is preferred.

* Carbon and alloy steel tanks and containers may be used if clean and rust free.

* Tanks must be strong enough to hold 10.68 pounds per gallon of E36, which is 28% heavier than water.


Dispensing Equipment

* External surfaces of equipment used to dispense E-36 should be routinely rinsed with warm water to prevent a build-up of the fluid and other contaminants associated with winter airport operations. A thorough washing with warm soapy water is recommended as equipment is removed from service after the deicing season.


* Diluted E-36 biodegrades naturally when exposed to air and other contaminants. This process quickens in warmer temperatures. Frequent rinsings will prevent any build-up that could result in formations of unsightly biological growth and superficial staining/corrosion.


* Undiluted E-36 kept in closed containers with minimal exposure to air does not degrade and may be stored indefinitely.