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

1

2

3

Created by constant take-off and touch-

downs

Severe traction quality reduction

Extremely hazardous in damp or wet conditions

THE PROBLEMRUNWAY RUBBER

BUILD-UP

WHICH RUNWAY CLEANING METHOD REMOVES RUBBER, GREASE, OILS & JET

FUEL BUILDUP: the most effectively? the quickest? the most cost effectively? the safest for personnel? the least amount of

damage to the runway surface?

CHEMICALS & DETERGENTS

WATER

THE QUESTION

Requires a 7-step process:

1.Preparation2.Application3.Penetration/

Emulsification4.Scrubbing5.Rinsing6.Vacuuming/ Disposal7.Clean-Up

OPTION .CHEMICALS & DETERGENTS

A

OPTION .CHEMICALS & DETERGENTS

STEP 1: 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

STEP 2: 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

STEP 3: 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

STEP 4: 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

STEP 5: 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

STEP 6: 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

STEP 7: 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.

A

ONE STEP One truck & one

operator Water ONLY All water & debris

simultaneously vacuum recovered

No run-off, no chemicals, no damage to runway or environment

OPTION .WATER

(HYDROBLASTING)

B

DISPOSAL Water and debris

simultaneously recovered then separated

Water is filtered to 100μ and generally approved for dumping anywhere

Solid debris block created that is easily transported off-site for disposal

OPTION .WATER

(HYDROBLASTING)

B

OPTION BWATER

(HYDROBLASTING)

OPTION ACHEMICALS &

DETERGENTS

THE QUESTIONOPTION BOPTION A

7 steps, multiple trucks (4 minimum), and several operators

(4 minimum)Process

1 step, 1 truck, 1 operator. Of airports surveyed, over 75% said they would use waterblasting if they had the option

Multiple trucks, several operators, purchase/ storage/

disposal of expensive detergents. Cleanings are required 2-3x more often due to depth of

cleaning.

Cost1 truck that uses water only. No run-off, rinsing, or secondary truck operations.

Operator and environment exposed to chemicals & detergents from run-off.

Safety & Environme

nt

No risk for operator, runway or environment.

Must be closed for extended periods. Can not vacate for

emergency landings.

Runway Closure Can vacate runway in 30 seconds

Over time causes bitumen breakdown, polishing of

aggregate (reduced friction), grooved edge rounding and

weakening of runway structure

Runway Friction & Damage

All microtexture left intact if done properly by a trained operator. Friction values 25% (2 mu points) higher with waterblasting over chemicals/detergents

WATER (HYDROBLASTIN

G)

CHEMICALS & DETERGENTS

THE OBJECTIONQUESTION: “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 waterblasting than 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 McNameeHeavy Equipment

SupervisorPittsburgh 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 GoodAirfield Maintenance

SupervisorMcGhee Tyson AirportMetropolitan 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 SmithAirfield Maintenance

SuperintendentDallas Airport System

AIRPORT CUSTOMERSAN 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:W A T E R B L A S T I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S , I N C

3170 SE Slater Street | Stuart, FL 34997 USA  (877) 964-7312 Toll-Free |  (772) 223-5461 Fax

www.waterblastingtechnologies.com