Retrofit, Self-Contained, and Smart Solar Ice Control System for Resilient Infrastructure

The proposed project herein will implement a micro-radiant heating system (MRHS) as a retrofit layer on the surface of existing concrete pavement. The technology will utilize a combination solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system and novel thermally active materials to keep surfaces free of snow and ice. The self-contained system will effectively provide heating, improve safety, reduce winter maintenance, while reducing carbon emissions to the environment compared to existing technologies, and eliminating the usage of deicing salt for the control of ice/snow during cold seasons. To enhance the performance, the system will incorporate low operating temperature phase change material (PCMs) based heat transfer fluid (HTF) and surface composition to circulate/store the energy in the system. The latent heat release from the PCMs provide backup source of energy during days when little-to-no-sun is available. As an additional benefit, the system will reduce the number of freeze-thaw cycles experienced by the pavement, improving long-term durability.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $80000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348335

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Environmentally Responsible Transportation Center for Communities of Concern

  University of Missouri Kansas City
  Kansas City, Missouri  United States  64110
• Project Managers:

  Kline, Robin

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Missouri, Kansas City

  Department of Civil Engineering
  5100 Rockhill Road, Flarsheim Hall
  Kansas City, MO  United States  64110
• Principal Investigators:

  Sobhansarbandi, Sarvenaz

  Kevern, John

• Start Date: 20230601
• Expected Completion Date: 20240531
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Heat transfer; Heating systems; Pavement design; Phase transitions; Snow and ice control; Solar energy
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01895588
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Environmentally Responsible Transportation Center for Communities of Concern
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348335
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Oct 6 2023 6:21PM