Development and Optimization of Electrically Resistant Paint for Road De-Icing: A Numerical and Experimental Study

Icing on roads poses serious risks to transportation, infrastructure, and safety, demanding effective de-icing solutions. This study presents an electrically resistant paint for road de-icing, evaluating its physical, thermal, and electrical properties. The system features a sandwich structure with a surface course, a paint layer (20% carbon black, 20% resin and 60% water), and a base course, where the paint serves as a heating element to transfer heat to the surface.

Key performance factors, including electrical power, thermal contact resistance, and paint-layer defects, were examined. A two-dimensional numerical model in COMSOL Multiphysics simulated system behavior under various electrical power levels and included a 0.35 mm air layer to represent thermal contact resistance. Experiments validated these models using granite as a surrogate for asphalt and the paint layer in a -20 ∘^{\circ}C environment. A three-dimensional numerical model further studied the effects of paint defects, validated through experiments with a 5 cm hole in the paint layer.

The results identified 450 W/m² as the optimal power for efficient and cost-effective de-icing, achieving 0 ∘^{\circ}C at the surface despite a 30-minute delay caused by thermal contact resistance. Increasing paint thickness or adding an intermediate asphalt layer reduced this delay to 5 minutes. Additionally, the system maintained effective temperature uniformity even with defects, limiting temperature variation to 1.5 ∘^{\circ}C at 654 W/m2^2.

This research demonstrates the feasibility of electrically resistant paint as an innovative, energy-efficient de-icing solution. Addressing challenges such as thermal contact resistance and defects enhances the system’s practicality, providing valuable insights for real-world applications.

Work In Progress