Heated Runways?
Dec 26, 2006 | 1:33 pm
#1
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Heated Runways?
I'm sure there's a good argument why this isn't feasible, but I'd like to know the details.
Item 1: The recent DEN shutdown was a royal mess at the "all weather airport" and across the nation.
Item 2: Railroads heat track switches to keep lines open in all temperature conditions.
Item 3: A track switch occupies a tiny area compared to a runway.
Has anyone looked at heating runways when warranted? What would the cost be?
Item 1: The recent DEN shutdown was a royal mess at the "all weather airport" and across the nation.
Item 2: Railroads heat track switches to keep lines open in all temperature conditions.
Item 3: A track switch occupies a tiny area compared to a runway.
Has anyone looked at heating runways when warranted? What would the cost be?
Dec 26, 2006 | 2:05 pm
#3
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IIRC, there have been a lot of tests conducted on heated runway solutions using pipes underneath the runway that are heated with water up to its boiling point. A Google search for "heating runway" or "heated runway" brings up some great websites that discuss this further.
Of course, with airports scrapping for every landing/take-off fee they can get, I'm sure the main reason why such wasn't implemented in the U.S. was the cost vs. the overall benefit that would result.
Of course, with airports scrapping for every landing/take-off fee they can get, I'm sure the main reason why such wasn't implemented in the U.S. was the cost vs. the overall benefit that would result.
Dec 26, 2006 | 2:15 pm
#4
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It was a highway, not a runway, but I think there was an experimental stretch of electrically-heated road built by Virginia Tech sometime in the 1990s as part of a project to test various traffic safety improvements. The heated highway, if I remember the news coverage correctly, wasn't a safety improvement because it turned out that while heating the surface melted the ice or snow it also created a really thick layer of fog.
Dec 26, 2006 | 2:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
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The cost of this would be enormous. Don't forget that even if the runway was kept clear the aircraft need someplace to go after they land so that means taxiways, aprons and gate areas also need to be kept open. Another huge problem would be providing drainage for all the meltwater -melting it is fine but you still need to get rid of it.
Dec 26, 2006 | 2:31 pm
#6
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Even if you figure out some way to drain the water and keep the rest of the
surface (taxi way.. parking etc) the amount of head required to keep the
runways clear and to maintain a warm temperature with the wind blowing is
a very expensive process. even if you solve the fog issue, drain issue and the
construction issues.. its remains very expensive.
unless you come up with a cheap fuel alternative
(or move the airport to a warm place)
So far, its cheaper to displace the snow instead of melting it.
surface (taxi way.. parking etc) the amount of head required to keep the
runways clear and to maintain a warm temperature with the wind blowing is
a very expensive process. even if you solve the fog issue, drain issue and the
construction issues.. its remains very expensive.
unless you come up with a cheap fuel alternative
(or move the airport to a warm place)
So far, its cheaper to displace the snow instead of melting it.
Dec 26, 2006 | 5:30 pm
#9
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Dec 26, 2006 | 6:16 pm
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Dec 26, 2006 | 6:36 pm
#11
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We had a heated driveway at our home in NJ when I was a boy (1959) never operated properly but was offered by the builder of the home ,so it's not a new idea.As far as the energy required,remember you only need to raise the temp above 32 and it does not usually snow when the temp is extremly low so it may not require the amount of energy you may believe it would
Dec 26, 2006 | 6:43 pm
#12
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Also isnt the snow on a plane taking off an issue, even with deicing if the snow is coming down heavy enough it is going to build up on the plane and add weight and become a safety issue.
Dec 26, 2006 | 6:53 pm
#13
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Dec 26, 2006 | 6:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
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We had a heated driveway at our home in NJ when I was a boy (1959) never operated properly but was offered by the builder of the home ,so it's not a new idea.As far as the energy required,remember you only need to raise the temp above 32 and it does not usually snow when the temp is extremly low so it may not require the amount of energy you may believe it would
Dec 26, 2006 | 7:18 pm
#15
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The biggest is the cost benefit ratio. Airports rarely get so over loaded that they shut down. This was the first time for DEN after being open for how many years how 10?
Drainage is not that much of a problem as on average a foot of snow contains an 1 inch of water. But then again there is alot of concrete.
Drainage is not that much of a problem as on average a foot of snow contains an 1 inch of water. But then again there is alot of concrete.