Preliminary Data Summary Airport Deicing Operations (Revised)
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coverfinal.qxd 8/8/00 2:43 PM Page 1 United States Office of Water (4303) EPA-821-R-00-016 Environmental Protection Washington, DC 20460 August 2000 Agency 1EPA Preliminary Data Summary Airport Deicing Operations (Revised) 2 Printed on paper containing at least 30% postconsumer recovered fiber. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND DISCLAIMER The Agency would like to acknowledge the contributions of Shari Barash, James Covington III, and Charles Tamulonis to the development of this Preliminary Data Summary. In addition, EPA acknowledges the contribution of Eastern Research Group, Inc. This report on deicing fluids does not set forth any regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act. It is intended solely as a presentation of information of which EPA is currently aware concerning the use of deicing fluids at airports. Thus, it does not impose any requirements on any party, including EPA, states, permitting authorities, POTWs, or the regulated community. This report was prepared using information from the following sources: review of selected literature, reports, and advisories; meetings with several interested parties; personal visitation with several persons and airport personnel; the experience of the authors; and other information solicited from stakeholders. References made in this document to any specific method, product or process, vendor, or corporation do not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or warranty by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Agency does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for any third party’s use of, or the results of such use of, any information discussed in this report, or represents that its use by such a third party would not infringe on privately owned rights. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................... 1-1 2.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................ 2-1 3.0 DATA-COLLECTION ACTIVITIES .................................... 3-1 3.1 1993 Screener Questionnaire ................................ 3-1 3.2 Mini-Questionnaires ...................................... 3-2 3.2.1 Airport Questionnaire ............................... 3-3 3.2.1.1 Airport Questionnaire Development ......... 3-4 3.2.1.2 Airport Questionnaire Administration ........ 3-4 3.2.2 Vendor Questionnaire ............................... 3-5 3.2.2.1 Vendor Questionnaire Development ......... 3-5 3.2.2.2 Vendor Questionnaire Administration ........ 3-6 3.2.3 POTW Questionnaire ............................... 3-6 3.2.3.1 POTW Questionnaire Development ......... 3-6 3.2.3.2 POTW Questionnaire Administration ........ 3-7 3.3 EPA Site Visits .......................................... 3-7 3.4 EPA Sampling .......................................... 3-9 3.5 Data Submitted by Airports ................................ 3-11 3.6 Meetings with Federal Agencies, Industry Representatives, Trade Associations, and Technology Vendors ....................... 3-12 3.7 Literature ............................................. 3-13 3.8 Other Data Sources ...................................... 3-14 3.9 References ............................................ 3-15 4.0 TECHNICAL PROFILE ............................................ 4-1 4.1 Air Transportation Industry Overview ......................... 4-1 4.1.1 Airport Types and Sizes ............................. 4-1 4.1.2 Geographic Location of Airports ....................... 4-3 4.1.3 Types of Airlines ................................... 4-4 4.2 Deicing/Anti-Icing Operations ............................... 4-5 4.2.1 Aircraft Deicing/Anti-icing ........................... 4-5 4.2.1.1 Fluid Types ........................... 4-7 4.2.1.2 Fluid Uses ............................ 4-8 4.2.1.3 Fluid Application ...................... 4-10 4.2.1.4 Variables That Affect Fluid Use ........... 4-12 4.2.1.5 Dry-Weather Deicing ................... 4-13 4.2.1.6 Nonchemical Deicing Methods ............ 4-14 4.2.2 Pavement Deicing/Anti-icing ......................... 4-15 4.2.2.1 Mechanical Methods ................... 4-16 4.2.2.2 Chemical Methods ..................... 4-16 4.3 Airports with Deicing/Anti-Icing Operations ................... 4-17 i TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page 4.3.1 Number of Airports Performing Aircraft and Runway Deicing ......................................... 4-17 4.3.1.1 Number of Airports Potentially Performing Significant Deicing/Anti-Icing Operations .... 4-17 4.3.1.2 Other Estimates of Number of Airports ..... 4-18 4.3.2 Annual ADF and Pavement Deicer Usage ............... 4-19 4.4 References ............................................ 4-23 5.0 CLIMATIC INFLUENCES AND DEICING/ANTI-ICING AGENT-CONTAMINATED STORM WATER GENERATION AND DISCHARGE .............................. 5-1 5.1 How Climatic Conditions Affect Deicing/Anti-icing Chemical Usage .. 5-1 5.2 Correlating Climatic Conditions to Deicing/Anti-icing Agent Usage .. 5-2 5.2.1 Mean Annual Snowfall .............................. 5-2 5.2.2 Snowfall Duration .................................. 5-3 5.2.3 Mean Annual Days Below Freezing ..................... 5-4 5.2.4 Heating Degree Days ................................ 5-4 5.3 Volume of Contaminated Storm Water Generated ................ 5-4 5.4 Method of Contaminated Storm Water Discharge ................ 5-6 5.5 References ............................................. 5-7 6.0 POLLUTION PREVENTION ......................................... 6-1 6.1 Alternative Aircraft Deicing/Anti-Icing Agents .................. 6-2 6.2 Aircraft Deicing Fluid Minimization Methods ................... 6-3 6.2.1 Type IV Anti-icing Fluids ............................ 6-3 6.2.2 Preventive Anti-icing ................................ 6-4 6.2.3 Forced-Air Aircraft Deicing Systems .................... 6-6 6.2.4 Computer-Controlled Fixed-Gantry Aircraft Deicing Systems . 6-9 6.2.5 Infrared Aircraft Deicing Technology .................. 6-11 6.2.6 Hot Water Aircraft Deicing .......................... 6-16 6.2.7 Varying Glycol Content to Ambient Air Temperature ...... 6-17 6.2.8 Enclosed-Basket Deicing Trucks ...................... 6-18 6.2.9 Mechanical Methods ............................... 6-18 6.2.10 Aircraft Deicing Using Solar Radiation ................. 6-19 6.2.11 Hangar Storage ................................... 6-19 6.2.12 Aircraft Covers ................................... 6-19 6.2.13 Thermal Blankets for MD-80s and DC-9s ............... 6-20 6.2.14 Ice-Detection Systems .............................. 6-21 6.2.15 Airport Traffic Flow Strategies and Departure Slot Allocation Systems ......................................... 6-22 6.2.16 Personnel Training and Experience .................... 6-23 6.2.17 Other ADF Minimization Practices .................... 6-24 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page 6.2.18 Glycol Minimization Methods Currently Under Development ..................................... 6-25 6.3 Aircraft Deicer/Anti-icer Collection and Containment Methods ..... 6-26 6.3.1 Aircraft Deicing Facilities ........................... 6-27 6.3.2 ADF Collection Systems for Ramps and Passenger Terminal Gate Areas ........................................... 6-31 6.3.3 Temporary Aircraft Deicing Pads ...................... 6-34 6.3.4 Storm Drain Inserts ................................ 6-36 6.3.5 Glycol Vacuum Vehicles ............................ 6-37 6.3.6 Mobile Pumping Station with Fluid Concentration Sensor ... 6-42 6.3.7 Containment and Collection Practices for Snow Contaminated with Aircraft Deicing/Anti-icing Fluids ..................... 6-44 6.4 Glycol Recycling ........................................ 6-45 6.4.1 Glycol Recyclers .................................. 6-47 6.4.2 Current Uses for Recovered Glycol .................... 6-55 6.4.3 Operational and Economic Issues ..................... 6-56 6.5 Pollution Prevention Practices for Airfield Pavement Deicing/Anti-icing Operations ............................................ 6-59 6.5.1 Alternative Airfield Pavement Deicing/Anti-icing Agents .... 6-59 6.5.2 Alternative Airfield Pavement Deicing/Anti-icing Methods .. 6-60 6.5.3 Airfield Pavement Deicing/Anti-icing Minimization Practices . 6-61 6.5.3.1 Good Winter Maintenance Practices ........ 6-62 6.5.3.2 Preventive Anti-Icing ................... 6-63 6.5.3.3 Runway Surface Condition Monitoring Systems ............................. 6-63 6.6 References ............................................ 6-66 7.0 WASTEWATER CONTAINMENT AND TREATMENT ....................... 7-1 7.1 Wastewater Containment .................................. 7-1 7.2 Wastewater Treatment ................................... 7-10 7.2.1 Biological Treatment ............................... 7-10 7.2.2 Oil/Water Separation ............................... 7-16 7.2.3 Land Application .................................. 7-17 7.3 References ............................................ 7-18 8.0 WASTEWATER CHARACTERIZATION ................................ 8-1 8.1 Industry Self-Monitoring Data .............................. 8-1 8.2 Permit Compliance System (PCS) ............................ 8-7 8.3 EPA Sampling Data ...................................... 8-9 8.3.1 Type I Aircraft Deicing Fluids ........................ 8-10 8.3.2 Characterization of Wastewater from Aircraft Deicing/Anti-icing Operations ....................................... 8-12 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page 8.3.3 Discussion of Sampling Results ....................... 8-15 8.4 Multi-Sector General Permit Application Data ................. 8-18 9.0 TOXICITY OF DEICING/ANTI-ICING AGENTS