Assessment of influence of anti-icing fluids based on ethylene and propylene glycol on environment and airport infrastructure
by Anna Yakovlieva; Sergii Boichenko; Iryna Shkilniuk; Anatolii Bakhtyn; Utku Kale; András Nagy
International Journal of Sustainable Aviation (IJSA), Vol. 8, No. 1, 2022

Abstract: Snow, frost, and ice on the surface of aircraft negatively affect the aerodynamic and operational properties of aircraft. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are the most commonly used components of anti-icing fluids for aircraft, which have a significant impact on the environment. The paper presents complex analytical review of a large number of domestic and foreign technical and regulatory information, which made it possible to carry out a comprehensive comparison of physical-chemical and operational properties of propylene and ethylene glycol-containing materials, to investigate their influence on components of ecosystems, including the human body. Comparative analysis of studies shows that propylene glycol is inert for living organisms and people. Ethylene glycol negatively affects reproductive function, metabolism, immune system and leads to a decrease in haemoglobin concentration. LD₅₀ value for ethylene glycol is more than 4 times lower than for propylene glycol. Propylene glycol fluid is more environmentally friendly due to low toxicity, increased biological decomposition under the same operating requirements. Basing on the systematised data the general strategy for minimising the negative effects of anti-icing and deicing fluids on the environment is considered and proposed.

Online publication date: Fri, 28-Jan-2022

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Sustainable Aviation (IJSA):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com