Infratek is an

aircraft deicing An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or, in a few cases, direct downward thrust from its eng ...

system that uses

infrared radiation Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with the waves that are just longer than those ...

to remove

ice Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...

and

snow Snow consists of individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere—usually within clouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water througho ...

from aircraft surfaces. The system was developed as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional

deicing De-icing is the process of removing snow, ice or frost from a surface. Anti-icing is the application of chemicals that not only de-ice but also remain on a surface and continue to delay the reformation of ice for a certain period of time, or pr ...

methods that rely heavily on chemical fluids such as

glycol A diol is a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl groups ( groups). An aliphatic diol may also be called a glycol. This pairing of functional groups is pervasive, and many subcategories have been identified. They are used as protecting gro ...

Overview

The Infratek system operates by directing heat onto aircraft using large overhead infrared panels installed inside a purpose-built tent or hangar. These panels are powered by

natural gas Natural gas (also fossil gas, methane gas, and gas) is a naturally occurring compound of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane (95%), small amounts of higher alkanes, and traces of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and helium ...

, producing radiant heat that melts ice and snow from the wings and fuselage. The hangar is designed with doors at both ends to allow aircraft to taxi through without major delays to airport operations.

Environmental Impact

Traditional deicing operations rely on large volumes of chemical fluids, mainly glycol-based solutions, which can contaminate nearby soil and waterways if not properly collected and treated. Infratek’s use of infrared heat reduces this chemical dependency, helping airports meet stricter environmental regulations. However, the combustion of natural gas generates

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...

(CO₂), contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change concerns.

Installations

The first major Infratek system was installed at

John F. Kennedy International Airport John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. JFK Airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is ...

(JFK) in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, where it was intended to replace or supplement chemical deicing methods with a more environmentally sustainable approach. A similar installation followed at

Newark Liberty International Airport Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport straddles the boundary between the cities of Newark, New Jersey, Newark in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County and E ...

. In Europe, Oslo Airport,

Gardermoen Oslo Airport () , alternatively referred to as Oslo Gardermoen Airport or simply Gardermoen, is an international airport serving Oslo, the capital and most populous city of Norway. The airport is the second largest in Scandinavia and the Nordi ...

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of ...

opened an Infratek facility in January 2006. However, the system faced challenges during the harsh Norwegian winter and, according to reports, was deemed unsuccessful due to insufficient deicing performance in extremely low temperatures by early 2007.

Advantages and Challenges

The main advantage of Infratek is the reduction in chemical deicing fluids, lowering both environmental risks and operating costs for airports. On the other hand, the system demands significant energy input and depends on natural gas combustion, which still adds to carbon emissions. Additionally, performance may be limited under extreme cold or heavy snowfall conditions, as demonstrated by the Oslo Airport experience.

References

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External links

Radiant Energy Corporation
Ice in transportation