How Will Airports be Affected by the New EPA Effluent Guidelines?
How will airports be affected by the new EPA effluent guidelines?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the final rule for Effluent Limitation Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Airport Deicing Category on May 16, 2012. This rule went into effect June 15, 2012.
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for affected airports [1] will require a ban on urea-based pavement deicers or very strict effluent limitations for ammonia, the principal pollutant in urea. Ammonia from pavement deicing operations can be eliminated by using products that do not contain urea.
What product alternatives are available that do not contain urea?
NAAC® is a 97% anhydrous sodium acetate solid deicer certified to AMS 1431. NAAC is a hard, spherical pellet that is easy to spread, less dusty than urea, and does not set up in storage. NAAC is exothermic (releasing heat as it dissolves) and is very fast and effective at melting snow and burrowing through ice. The Unipel technology used to manufacture NAAC ensures that each pellet is consistent in size, weight and composition. Performance is negatively impacted when products with irregular characteristics are used. NAAC is effective at low temperatures, active to 0°F (-18°C), whereas urea is only active to 20°F (-7°C). NAAC is an industry proven high-performing deicer.
E36® is a 50% aqueous potassium acetate solution, by weight, with less than 1% corrosion inhibitors. E36 is AMS 1435 certified and free from matter in suspension and stable in storage (no agitation required). With excellent anti-icing characteristics, ease of use, and effectiveness at temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C), E36 is recognized as the world’s leading liquid runway and ramp anti-icer.
BX36® contains 75% bio-based content and is a mixture of potassium acetate and corn derived DuPont Tate & Lyle Susterra&#reg; propanediol. BX36 is a next generation liquid deicer certified to AMS 1435. Superior performance and sustainability come together in BX36, formulated nearly ten years ago to address aircraft carbon brake compatibility and conductivity concerns.
Why should my airport use these products?
NAAC, E36 and BX36 are highly recommended, environmentally preferred, superior alternatives to urea-based deicers. All have low BOD5, COD and readily biodegrade with low impact on storm water discharges. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Scale, E36, BX36 and NAAC are considered “relatively harmless” to aquatic life.
Please contact Peters Chemical Company for additional product information and to better serve your needs.
[1] All existing and new primary airports with 1,000 or more annual jet departures (“non-propeller aircraft”) that generate wastewater associated with airfield pavement deicing.