Heating Systems for Airport Pavement Snow, Slush, and Ice Control.

The uniqueness of the investigations reported herein is in the application of pavement heating systems to airport runways, taxiways, and ramps. Electrical, oil-fired steam, and solar heated pavement systems were investigated. Pavement area sizes ranged from a full runway (1,5000,000 sq ft) to a ramp (60,000 sq ft). Both new and existing construction installations were considered. Climates ranged from severe (Juneau, Alaska) to relatively mild (Baltimore, Maryland). Because slush is more disruptive to airport operations than dry snow, and because the pavement heating systems become very expensive to build and operate as the weather climate becomes very severe, Juneau was eliminated from the studies and Chicago, Illinois was substituted in its place. Of the three systems investigated, the capital, total annual, and annual operating costs for an electrically heated runway are the highest. The capital and total annual costs for a steam heated runway are lower than for either the electrical or solar systems. The annual operating cost of the solar system is the lowest for the range of pavement areas represented by runways and ramps. The electrical system is the least efficient and the steam system is the most efficient in the utilization of the Nation's energy resources. For the most part, the solar system does not use the Nation's energy resources. (Author)