|
Thermatic Traction Optimizer Typ TTO
- Technical targets
- Before and NOW
- Novelty and advantages
The entire unit covers a technical drying equipment (facility to optimize traction) for airport runways, roads, aprons and ramps. The superordinate target is to minimize the use of chemical snow and ice removal means which is a prime objective for airports and particularly for the adjacent environments.
Each airport needs a dry runway, since the pneumatic of the airplanes needs a good traction when landing, in order to initiate the thrust reversal for braking. A prerequisite for the application of the thrust reversing is that the wheels are connected with the ground constantly and that a sufficient adhesion exists, which is ensured again only with dry surface.
The presented drying device offers a drying width of 3 or (6) meters and has a length of 20 or (30) meters. At a rate of 2 m/s - thus 10 second are available for heat transfer. Since at 100% air humidity a drying process is not possible, the device creates other climatic conditions under an apron, which favours a drying of the runway.
The desired final result is a dry surface cleared of water, snow or ice. By the application of warmth and due to the storage capacity of the soil still a dry status can be guaranteed for a further time interval after the treatment.
Up to now snow and ice of floor spaces have been pushed aside by machines, mechanically removed, and tried to dry the surface with salt derivatives chemically - but up to now, however, still no satisfying results have been achieved. Another system tried to blow off the water with a strong air jet and rework the surface with a broom cleaner. However, here water remains in the grooves of the runway, which again become ice and as result the traction is increased. Thus the thrust reversal again cannot be used in these situations.
With the system of thermal drying the direct application of warmth is new, in order to create a dry runway status. It is additionally new that by the warmth stored in the ground the dry status continues still for a further time interval. Advantages of the device are the often addressed dry surface, the availability of the energy as required and the surely very important aspect of environmental protection.
Through the weather forecasts it is possible to know about a necessary application approximately 6 hours beforehand. Thus the energy can be produced before requirement and can be stored in a steam reservoir up to the actual use.
Environmental protection in this case means also to reduce the quantity of chemical snow and ice removal means, which, due to the strict environmental regulations is a prominent request of airport managements. Additionally this results in a relief for the surrounding soils and groundwater reserves.