Abstract: The present invention describes an aqueous, non-electrolytic, non-toxic, biodegradable, continuous single phase liquid anti-icing or deicing composition for use on the surfaces of, for example, aircraft, airport pavements, roadways, walkways, bridges, entrances, structures, canals, locks, components, vessels, nautical components, railroad switches, and motor vehicles. The anti-icing or deicing composition comprises: (a) water; (b) a non-toxic freezing point depressant selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, polyhydric alcohols having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, monomethyl or ethyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols having from 3 to 12 atoms or mixtures thereof, wherein the freezing point depressant present is between about 14 to 60 percent by weight; (c) a thickener which is present in between about 0.01 and 10 percent by weight; and (d) optionally a corrosion inhibitor which is present in between about 0.01 and 0.1 percent by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: An environmentally benign anti-icing or deicing fluid providing long term protection for use on aircraft and runways, roads, bridges; and nautical, rail and automotive components. The composition is non-electrolytic, homogeneous single-phase, biodegradable comprising: water, non-toxic monohydric or polyhydric freezing point depressant alcohols having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, present in an amount between 13 and 60 weight percent; a non-toxic exocellular polysaccharide thickener, present in an amount between 0.01 and 10 weight percent; and optionally a monohydric primary aliphatic unbranched alcohol as a means of forming a thin hydrophobic layer on the external surface of the composition to prevent moisture dilution. Compositions of the invention containing hygroscopic glycerin have exceptionally long duration icing protection and also anti-graffiti protection for applications on vertical surfaces where frictional loss is not critical.