Experimental investigation of road snow-melting based on CNFP self-heating concrete

In this study, the road snow-melting system consisted of CNFP thermal source, AlN/Epoxy-based insulated-encapsulated layer and MWCNT/cement-based thermal conductive layer, was fabricated. The carbon nano-fiber paper (CNFP) taken excellent thermal and electrical properties was integrated into snow-melting system as the high-efficient thermal source. The remarkable electro-thermal and resistive properties of CNFP with the thickness of 0.38mm were investigated, and verified much higher efficiency electro-thermal property than other papery materials. The linearly temperature-dependent effect of CNFP resistivity was founded in certain temperature scope and met the line model as a function of temperature. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) attracted many filed scholars' focus based on its unique thermal conduction as a strong thermal-transferring candidate since it was founded. A new approach, named electric repulsion/high-frequency oscillatory dispersion, was proposed to fabricate the MWCNT/cement-based composites. The sample, filled with 3% MWCNT by the amount of cement, presents the significant improvement of thermal conductive property in contrast with other fillers and dispersing methods, which was integrated into snow-melting system with other parts as the thermal conductive layer material. The AlN/Epoxy-based composite, filled with 20% micron-AlN by the weight of mixture as the best candidate of insulated-capsulation material, would be used to guarantee the insulation. Due to the snow-melting field test, the snow-melting characteristics of integrated snow-melting system, dependent on the ambient temperature, wind speed, heat flux density and snow thickness, were investigated. The results not only verified the high-efficient, stable, feasible and economic properties, but also provided the valuable parameters for further snow-melting or ice-deicing investigation.