1.8 "Food Grade" Anti-Icing Fluid

An anti-icing fluid developed at Ames Research Center promises to make flying safer without introducing dangerous chemicals into the environment. The patented new fluid is so environmentally safe that it has been referred to as "food grade." The new fluid contains propylene glycol, which is safe, instead of ingredients such as ethylene glycol and additives that can sicken or kill water life, animals, and human beings. In some respects, it works even better than current anti-icing fluids. The environmentally friendly fluid "grabs" onto an airplane's surface more effectively than current fluids when the plane is at rest, providing a long-lasting barrier against ice buildup. Worldwide, about one-half billion gallons of aircraft deicing fluid are used annually. Much of this could be replaced with the new fluid, thus reducing environmental costs, to government and industry and ultimately to taxpayers, for cleaning toxic anti-icing fluids from the environment.

The new anti-icing fluid has many more potential uses, such as on bridges, streets, runways, and railroad switchesÐand even around homes, for roofs and sidewalks. Because the fluid is nonconductive and neutral (neither an acid nor a base), roadways and bridges treated with the fluid will avoid corrosion of the rebar and other steel and concrete parts. Similarly, vehicles will avoid the body corrosion typically associated with the use of road salt. Power companies are interested in using a thicker, grease-like version of the fluid to protect substation electrical components and power cables from ice. Interest in commercial distribution of this product could potentially make it available next year.

NASA POC:
Dr. Leonard A. Haslim
650-604-6575