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RUNWAY RUBBER REMOVAL. Chemicals & Detergents or Water?. All photographs and representations of chemical processes used in this presentation are in the public domain and were retrieved primarily from www.hurrisafe.com or www.avion50.com . THE PROBLEM. Runway Rubber Build-Up.
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RUNWAY RUBBER REMOVAL Chemicals & Detergents or Water? All photographs and representations of chemical processes used in this presentation are in the public domain and were retrieved primarily from www.hurrisafe.com or www.avion50.com
THE PROBLEM Runway Rubber Build-Up Created by constant take-off and touch-downs Severe traction quality reduction Extremely hazardous in damp or wet conditions 1 2 3
THE QUESTION Which runway cleaning method removes rubber, grease, oils & jet fuel buildup: • the most effect? • the quickest? • the most cost effect? • the safest for personnel? • the least amount of damage to the runway surface? • least # of equipments mobilized • least amount of water generated • reopen runway quickly Chemicals & Detergents Water
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents Requires a 7-step process: • Preparation • Application • Penetration/ Emulsification • Scrubbing • Rinsing • Vacuuming/ Disposal • Clean-Up
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step1: Preparation • Assemble all necessary equipment on runway • Sweep runway (clear all debris) • Spray runway surface to reduce evaporation • Brush surface with snow broom to score rubber prior to application
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step2: Application • Run applicator truck with sprayjets at 50 PSI [4 bar] • Completely saturate runway surface with chemical solution • Brush surface with steel brush to work chemicals into rubber
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step3: Penetration • Allow the chemicals or detergent to stand on rubber surface • Wait for the rubber to fully dissolve and emulsify with the chemicals or detergent
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step4: Scrubbing • After rubber is dissolved, scrub runway surface with either brushes or water at high volume & low PSI (max 20,000 PSI [1,400 bar])
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step5: Rinsing • Run water truck down center of runway • Follow with sweeper truck to force water to edge of runway • Before water reaches soil or turf, sweep water back toward center
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step6: Vacuuming • Run vacuum truck behind rinse trucks to sweep chemical solution & debris • Transfer used solution from vacuum holding tank to drums to await deposition by local sewer authority for disposal
A OPTION . Chemicals & Detergents step7: Clean-Up • Use pressure washer to completely clean overspray, splash-back, etc. of cleaner, dissolved rubber, and residue from all equipment to prevent corrosion, rust, etc.
B OPTION. Water (hydroblasting) One Step • One truck & one operator • Water only in small qty • All water & debris simultaneously vacuum recovered & separated • No run-off, no chemicals, no damage to runway or environment • Reopen runway in 90 seconds • Much smaller air transportable units available
B OPTION. Water (hydroblasting) Disposal • Water and debris simultaneously recovered then separated • Water is filtered to 100μand generally approved for dumping anywhere • Solid debris block created that is easily transported off-site for disposal
OPTION A • Chemicals & Detergents Bristles bend. Cannot penetrate pores OPTION B Needle sharp jets penetrate deep • Water (hydroblasting)
THE QUESTION OPTION B OPTION A Chemicals & Detergents Water (hydroblasting)
THE OBJECTION QUESTION: “What about the criticism that waterblasting ‘polishes’ aggregate, reduces friction coefficients, and is so destructive that up to 80% of the debris is particles of aggregate or other material pertaining to the runway surface?” ANSWER: First, we have interviewed every airport in North America with a passenger count in excess of 1 million passengers per year. Chemicals and detergents are quickly being phased out because of cost, quality and safety. In fact, less than 1/3 of all airports in North America still use chemicals and detergents because of the superiority of waterblasting on every significant area of concern. Second, in a compilation of reports received from airfield maintenance supervisors, the resultant Mu values are an average of two full points higher on a surface cleaned by waterblastingthan one cleaned with chemicals or detergents. There is no process that even comes close to putting runways in “like new” condition as waterblasting. Contrast that with chemical cleaning where the process is often followed by waterblasting or shotblasting because over time the chemicals so lose their effectiveness they can no longer achieve requisite friction values. Third, when a runway is cleaned via waterblasting with a properly trained operator there is no destruction at all. To scientifically test this claim, an ISO-certified lab (Chemir Analytical Services, Maryland Hts, MO) performed a quantitative analysis of a debris sample from a field that had been waterblasted. The results: 87% of the debris was rubber. 13% was dust/dirt, jet fuel, and other unidentified particulates. Not even a trace of the debris was aggregate or material from the runway surface. Water-blasting, correctly performed, will not damage the surface by altering or polishing the shoulders of the grooves whether on concrete or asphalt.
THE EVIDENCE “The use of ultra high pressure water blasting for rubber removal eliminated an expenditure of approximately $36,000 annually… It also reduced the manpower required from four operators to one. Our friction Mu values increased an average of two points [25%] with water blasting as compared to chemical rubber removal. The [system] collects the rubber into the debris collection tank and it is disposes of into a dumpster as opposed to sweeping the debris into he grass bays adjacent to the runways or taxiways.” Dennis McNamee Heavy Equipment Supervisor Pittsburgh International Airport “The [waterblasting] removal truck’s ability to remove runway rubber and existing surface painted markings, retrieve any debris and residue, and reclaim the water, while reducing pavement waiting time to paint make it an excellent piece of equipment. [Waterblasting] does not deteriorate the pavement or remove the grooving. If you want to remove airport rubber and paint within minutes, this is the asset to have!” Richard L Good Airfield Maintenance Supervisor McGhee Tyson Airport Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority “We used a [waterblasting truck] to do a TOTAL rubber removal as port of the renovation [of an 8,800 foot runway]. In the process (with our FAA inspector as a witness) we essentially brought the surface back to a ‘like new’ condition. I asked the Operations Manager when was the last time he saw this runway looking so good. He replied, without hesitation, ‘1984, when it was poured!’ Soon we will close the books and I intend to do a cost analysis. I strongly suspect when we back out labor alone we will find it cost us nothing!” Tim Smith Airfield Maintenance Superintendent Dallas Airport System
AIRPORT CUSTOMERS • An abridged listing of Waterblasting airport customers: • Central America • Aguascalientes, Mexico • Guadalajara, Mexico • Guanajuato, Mexico • Hermosillo, Mexico • La Paz, Mexico • Los Cabos, Mexico • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Tijuana, Mexico • South America • Buenos Aires, Argentina • Sao Paulo Guarulhos • Sao Paulo Congonhas • Europe • Ankara, Turkey • Brussels, Belgium • Istanbul, Turkey • London Heathrow • London Gatwick • Manchester, UK • Standsted, UK • Prague, Czech Republic • Stockholm, Sweden • St. Petersburg, Russia • Middle East • Beirut, Lebanon • Dubai, UAE • Fujairah, UAE • Muscat, Oman • Tel Aviv, Israel • Asia • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Mumbai, India • Australia • Adelaide • Brisbane • Melbourne • Sydney • North America • Andrews AFB, Virginia • Birmingham, Alabama • Charlotte, South Carolina • Dallas, Texas • Ft Lauderdale, Florida • Jacksonville, Florida • Juan Santamaria, Costa Rica • Knoxville, Tennessee • Marine Corps AS, Virginia • Nellis AFB, Nevada • Miami, Florida • Orlando, Florida • Palm Beach, Florida • Pensacola, Florida • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Queen Beatrix, Aruba • Rapid City, South Dakota • Savannah, Georgia • Tampa, Florida • Warner Robins AFB, Georgia
RUNWAY RUBBER REMOVAL Chemicals & Detergents or Water? For more information please contact: Waterblasting Technologies, Inc 3170 SE Slater Street | Stuart, FL 34997 USA (877) 964-7312 Toll-Free | (772) 223-5461 Fax www.waterblastingtechnologies.com