Project: Automated De-Icing System for Transport Infrastructure
Location: South Korea
Application: Outdoor Pavement & Railway Track Heating
Core Technology: Tiancheng PTC Liquid Heater System
A prominent client in South Korea faced significant operational challenges during the winter months due to heavy snowfall and icing on critical transport arteries. By adopting our proprietary PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) Liquid Heater technology as the primary heat source, the client successfully implemented an automated, energy-efficient de-icing solution. This system ensures safety and operational continuity for both pedestrian pavements and railway networks, even in extreme sub-zero conditions.
South Korea experiences severe winter conditions, with temperatures frequently dropping well below freezing. For infrastructure managers, this presents two critical problems:
Public Safety Risks: Iced-over pavements create slip hazards for pedestrians and vehicles.
Railway Disruption: Snow and ice accumulation on tracks—particularly at switches and crossings—can cause derailments or significant delays.
Traditional methods such as salting (corrosive to infrastructure) or manual clearing (labor-intensive and slow) were deemed inefficient and environmentally damaging for this project. The client required a solution that was automatic, invisible, and chemically neutral.
The client selected our PTC Liquid Heater to serve as the central "Heat Source" for a hydronic snow-melting system.
Unlike standard resistance heaters, our PTC technology offers distinct advantages for this application:
Self-Regulating Efficiency: The PTC heater automatically adjusts its power output based on the temperature, preventing overheating and reducing energy consumption once the target temperature is reached.
Rapid Thermal Response: The system provides immediate heat transfer to the circulating medium (anti-freeze liquid) to melt snow as soon as precipitation begins.
The project utilized a closed-loop circulation system driven by our PTC heaters. The installation covered two distinct environments:
Installation: A network of thermal circulation lines was laid beneath the road surface.
Mechanism: The PTC liquid heater warms the transfer fluid, which is pumped through the underground network.
Outcome: The heat radiates upward to the surface, maintaining the pavement temperature above freezing. This prevents snow accumulation and instantly melts falling snow, keeping the ground dry and grip-safe.
Installation: Heat distribution lines were installed directly alongside and underneath the iron rails.
Mechanism: The system targets critical contact points on the tracks.
Outcome: The rails remain free of ice, ensuring that train wheels maintain traction and mechanical switches function without freezing or jamming.
Following the installation and throughout the winter season, the client reported the following outcomes:
Zero Downtime: Railway operations continued without weather-related delays during snowstorms.
Enhanced Safety: Pedestrian and vehicle accident rates on the heated sections dropped to near zero.
Cost Efficiency: The PTC system's ability to modulate power resulted in lower operational costs compared to always-on resistance heating systems.
Asset Protection: By eliminating the need for corrosive de-icing salts, the lifespan of the concrete and rail steel has been extended.
This project demonstrates the versatility of our PTC Liquid Heater beyond conventional automotive applications. By successfully integrating this technology into large-scale infrastructure, we have proven that our solution is not just a heater, but a critical component in smart city and transport safety planning.
