Lactate-Acetate Deicing Composition Low Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deicing agents, particularly those containing chloride salts, cause environmental damage and corrosion, and are not suitable for aircraft runways, while existing non-ionic solutions like ethylene glycol have limitations in effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, especially at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous deicing composition comprising an ionic component with lactate and acetate salts and a non-ionic component of 1,2-propanediol, which maintains effectiveness at low temperatures, reduces environmental impact, and can be produced from renewable materials, with a concentration of at least 10% by weight of the sum of ionic and non-ionic components, optimizing the molar ratio to enhance performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chloride-based deicing agents are used, then deicing effectiveness is improved, but environmental damage and corrosion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeicing effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental damage and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using lactate and acetate salts instead of chloride salts, and combines ionic and non-ionic components in specific proportions. This parameter change maintains deicing effectiveness while eliminating the harmful effects of chloride-based agents on the environment and infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite deicing composition by combining ionic components (lactate and acetate salts) with non-ionic components (polyols like ethylene glycol or propylene glycol). This composite approach allows the solution to maintain effectiveness at low temperatures while reducing environmental harm, as the non-ionic component enhances performance without adding chloride-related toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-ionic deicing agents like ethylene glycol are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but effectiveness at low temperatures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoideffectiveness at low temperatures

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of both ionic and non-ionic deicing agents by combining lactate/acetate salts with polyols in a single composition. The ionic component provides strong deicing capability at low temperatures, while the non-ionic component reduces environmental impact and enhances adhesion. This merging allows the composition to achieve effectiveness comparable to chloride-based agents without the same environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the concentration parameters of both ionic and non-ionic components to achieve the desired balance. By adjusting the proportions of lactate/acetate salts and polyols, the composition maintains effectiveness at low temperatures while keeping the environmental footprint lower than traditional chloride-based agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high concentrations of deicing agents are applied, then deicing performance is improved, but cost and environmental load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeicing performanceVSAvoidamount of material required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The composite nature of the invention allows for optimized performance at moderate concentrations. The synergistic interaction between ionic and non-ionic components means that the deicing agent achieves effective performance without requiring excessively high concentrations, thereby reducing both cost and environmental load compared to using single-component agents at high doses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The deicing agent effectively lowers the freezing point at low temperatures, reduces salt load and corrosion, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for environmentally friendly and economically viable applications, including aviation, with improved adhesion and long-term effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the de-icing agent effectively lowers the freezing point at low temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing point depression:

Data Source

PatentEP2725079B1Environmentally friendly deicing composition

Publication Date: 2014.12.10 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a de-icing agent comprising an aqueous solution of an ionic and a non-ionic component, wherein the concentration of these components is at least 10% by weight. The ionic component comprises at least sodium as a cation and lactate and acetate as anions. The non-ionic component contains at least propanediol, in a proportion that is at least one-twentieth of the proportion of anions. The proportion of sodium ions to the total cations is higher than that of acetate to the total anions; furthermore, the lactate/acetate ratio is such that there is at most 2.5 times as much acetate as lactate and at most 4 times as much lactate as acetate.