E36 TECHNICAL BULLETIN #1: 1/14/94

Recently, an airport has experienced a higher than normal failure rate of their runway lighting circuits. They believe this is due to the use of potassium acetate as a runway deicer.

SUMMARY
We have been informed this week of a possible association of E36 LRD and a higher than normal failure rate of runway lighting circuits. This is the first and only incident that we know of in the U.S. and Europe. As you are aware, E36 and substitute potassium acetate runway deicers have been used by airports for several years.

The airport in question has reported failure of older lighting circuits that have for some time been under a program of repair due in part to water in electrical components. The failure occured after application of E36 this winter, the first winter the airport has used the fluid.

CONCLUSION
E36 LRD is an ionized potassium acetate-based solution and is conductive. Although we believe this to be an isolated incident, it is theoretically possible that potassium acetate solutions could contribute to a failure of non-water tight circuits. As a precaution, users should evaluate the condition of their electrical systems.

We welcome any questions you may have regarding this or other technical matters. Feel free to contact our General Manager, Keith Johnson, at 712/526-2407; or contact our Fort Madison, Iowa plant at 800/346-7237.