METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING HOT FUELS TO DE-ICE AIRCRAFT

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for de-icing an aircraft (13) of the type having wings (15) and fuel storage (17) in the wings (15). Hot fuel is provided for fueling the aircraft (13). The hot fuel is at elevated temperatures which are sufficiently high enough to transfer heat from the fuel, through a fuel tank (17) extending within the wings (15), and to the exterior of the wings (15) to de-ice the aircraft (13). A storage tank (29) stores the fuel, and a heater (31) heats the fuel to elevated temperatures. An intermediate thermal transfer system (47) having a secondary thermal fluid (55) transfers heat from a primary power source (45) to the fuel. Further, a substantial volume of the secondary thermal fuel may be maintained at elevated temperatures to provide a sufficient thermal reserve capacity for heating the fuel upon demand.