JBT AeroTech Tempest deicers equipped with AirFirst forced air and proportional mix provide efficient and safe solutions to reduce glycol use during deicing operations. The Tempest with AirFirst uses a high speed compressor mounted on the boom that discharges high speed air at .9 Mach. The air can be used on dry snow or in conjunction with fluid to remove frost, wet snow and ice. The biggest savings are realized during defrosting operations when deicing fluid is injected into the air stream at 12 gallons per minute, forming a wide swath that quickly removes the frost. Savings of up to 60% are possible when compared to conventional methods with flow rates at 25-30 gallons per minute. The wide swath application also speeds up the deicing operation reducing aircraft ground times.
