Dow Chemical Company - Aviation De-Icing, Aircraft De-Icing / Anti-Icing, and HVAC Systems

The Dow Chemical Company produces aviation de-icing, aircraft de-icing / anti-icing, and HVAC systems for the commercial, government and private aviation industries. The company also produces thermal fluid for water-based HVAC systems.

UCAR™ aircraft de-icing fluids

UCAR aircraft de-icing fluids (available only in the US and Canada) are supplied by the Dow Chemical Company for use in preparing commercial and general aviation aircraft for winter takeoff. With over 40 years' experience in the aviation de-icing fluids industry, Dow offers ethylene glycol and propylene glycol-based fluids for greater customer flexibility. Products conform to applicable Society of Automotive Engineers Aerospace Material Specifications (SAE AMS).

UCAR ADF type I aircraft de-icing fluids

UCAR ADF ethylene glycol-based SAE type I aircraft de-icing fluids offer a low applied fluid cost, and wide operational latitude. They include UCAR ADF concentrate as well as pre-diluted solutions.

UCAR PG ADF propylene glycol-based SAE type I aircraft de-icing fluids are supplied in two forms: UCAR PG ADF concentrate, which must be mixed with water prior to use, and UCAR PG ADF dilute 55/45, a ready-to-use fluid.

UCAR ADF type IV aircraft de-icing fluids

UCAR ADF / AAF ULTRA+ ethylene glycol-based SAE type IV aircraft de-icing / anti-icing fluid protects exterior aircraft surfaces against icing due to precipitation. Available only from Dow, it is recommended for the lowest operational use temperature (LOUT) in extreme cold conditions.

UCAR anti-icing fluid AD-480 is a mono-propylene glycol based SAE type IV anti-icing fluid.

Technical service and support

Dow offers an extensive and flexible logistics network that provides coverage for all key airports in North America. UCAR ADF / AAF fluids are backed by Dow's industry-leading technical service and support, helping to keep airports fully operational in unpredictable weather conditions.

DOWTHERM™ fluid for water-based HVAC systems

Changes in aircraft operating economics and environmental regulations are encouraging use of centralized, terminal-based air conditioning and power systems that keep flight crews and passengers comfortable before takeoff.

High-efficiency TES systems replace APUs to cool or heat aircraft at the gate

High-efficiency systems are being used in place of traditional auxiliary power units (APUs). There are a number of options for this type of high-efficiency system, but airports are now using ground-based chiller systems with thermal energy storage (TES) tanks. The chillers and the TES tanks are at the heart of the cooling system.

The TES system is designed to build ice at night during off-peak hours when power costs are lower. This ice is then 'burned' during the day to supplement the capacity of the chillers.

DOWTHERM SR-1 inhibited ethylene glycol-based heat transfer fluid from the Dow Chemical Company plays a key role in keeping these systems performing reliably and at peak efficiency. The glycol-based fluid enters the thermal energy storage tanks at about 60°F, and is cooled to about 40°F before it reaches the chillers. This results in a significant reduction in the daytime load on the chillers.

Centralized systems to heat and cool multiple aircraft

The chilled DOWTHERM SR-1 fluid is supplied to exchangers in air handlers on passenger bridges. When the air handlers are coupled to the aircraft at the gate, chilled air is supplied directly to the aircraft's air conditioning manifold. HVAC systems based on DOWTHERM SR-1 fluid can also be used to circulate heated fluid to heat aircraft and jet bridges, keeping passengers warm. Centralized systems heat and cool multiple aircraft and jetways, eliminating the need for individual heating or cooling systems.

DOWTHERM SR-1 fluid is widely used in water-based heating and cooling systems because it offers excellent low-temperature pumpability and low viscosity, allowing it to travel easily over long distances through small piping. Also, the long-term reliability of the corrosion inhibitor package in DOWTHERM SR-1 fluid provides good assurance that the complex piping, control valves, and pumping equipment in the system will be consistently protected from corrosion damage.