SALUS NanoAeroseal
- Reduces Drag

The Influence of Nano Chemistry Penetrating Sealants on Aerodynamic/ Hydrodynamic Drag and Vehicle Maintenance.

ABSTRACT: The speed of vehicles, surface, airborne or waterborne, is limited by the amount of surface friction and aerodynamic drag influencing the vehicle. Drag is traditionally overcome by increasing power or adjusting the physical weight or profile of the vehicle. Much emphasis is concentrated on mitigating aerodynamic drag by physical configuration adjustments.

Outcomes of such study have resulted in commercial surface vehicles adding tractor cab redesign, cab top fairings, trailer fender skirts and rear adjustable airfoils to redirect air flow around the vehicle to minimize vortex generating pockets on the combined vehicle. In aircraft, various wing and tail leading edge configuration adjustments to address the Bernoulli effect and wing tip reconfigurations to mitigate drag from vortex pockets have been added. In marine vehicles, hull design and the evolution of hydrofoils on high-speed ferries evolved.

ENGINEERING: All the changes mentioned above are mechanically engineered. Little to no consideration of the value of micro-smoothing surfaces to mitigate the turbulence generated by imperfect surfaces is mentioned. However, much detail of the relationship of drag to fuel economy was developed. The result of an early American Trucking Association and US Dept. of Energy study at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories determined a 2% reduction in aerodynamic drag results in a 1% fuel savings, stated thus:

Another finding from that study relating to energy required to attain certain highway speeds contributed to the 55 MPH Interstate Highway mandate under President Carter. It is expressed in this graph 1% fuel savings, stated thus:

NANO CHEMISTRY ADDRESSES SUB-MICRONIC SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS: Our research into drag reduction began with a “car polish.” At the request of an FBO operator in Kansas, we “ polished” 3 various aircraft. One of which, a Bombardier Challenger, flew regularly from Kansas to a California airport and back; according to fuel usage records experienced an approximate 2% fuel savings. Further private aircraft speed improvement and turbulence reduction were reported. These empirical findings were confirmed in an FFA wind tunnel test at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. A wing cross section was mounted in the tunnel and drag was measured as described in Figure 4 below.

Figure 4: Drag Coefficient Data from the Test Article for Two Identical Runs at Three Velocities with and without Salus NanoAeroseal.

The test article had a 6.5 to 14.6 percent reduction in drag, which is extremely large considering previous work that has illustrated the difficulty in reducing friction drag on aerodynamic shapes. The velocity range examined is approximately 75 (86 MPH) to 135 knots (155 MPH).

POTENTIAL FUEL SAVINGS: Commercial aviation savings may be slightly less than reflected in the general aviation experience. A Boeing 737 burns about 750 gal./hr.; a .025% savings would be about $40.00/hr.

Road vehicle savings: calculating from the ATA/DOE study showing 2% aerodynamic drag reduction equates to a 1% fuel saving, and considering the FAA wind tunnel drag reduction at just over highway speed is around 14%, a properly cleaned and Salus Nano-coated tractor trailer should experience about a 7% fuel savings.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SAVINGS: Aviation ground crews report post flight clean-up time savings of 50% or more, and municipal public transportation bus operations report consistent savings of 30% on routine maintenance of vehicle interiors.

Because the Nano protectants seal surfaces from corrosion, atmospheric pollutants, UV, static and soil accretion, frequency of cleaning may be reduced and cleaning chemicals can be reduced or diluted to achieve their goal. Asset life may be extended with enhanced corrosion protection.

Salus NanoAeroseal protectants are completely inert and eco-friendly, tested in independent labs to Boeing, Douglas and AMS finishes specifications, and proven over ten years under extreme circumstance and atmospheres, are compatible with all surfaces: metals, painted surfaces, acrylics, polycarbonates, composites, rubber and fabrics; and resistant to most chemicals and pollutants. They are proven to adhere from -65 deg. F to above pasteurization temperatures.

OTHER POTENTIAL SAVINGS: Salus NANO protectants integrate with surfaces, rather than “coating” them. Water borne Nano-polymeric fusions, unlike petroleum/solvent-based polishes or waxes, add no weight or dimension to any surface and are not susceptible to being dislodged by atmospheric pollutants or disintegrated by UV damage. They last far longer than commonly used protective coatings, so require less frequent application.

Relatively softer polishes and waxes add weight to aircraft and their surfaces attract and hold atmospheric pollutants which may increase turbulence they intend to mitigate.

Smoother aircraft skins may require less de-icing chemical, as ice has less opportunity to stick in Nano and Micro faults and fissures in the surface mitigated by NanoAeroseal protectants.

Sealed and protected interior surfaces, including upholstery, are easier to clean and less hospitable to pollutants. Again, as experienced by public transit over 5 years, routine maintenance time is reduced by 30%. Cleaner cabins and heads enhance passenger experiences.

CONCLUSION: Both drag reduction, fuel savings and equipment maintenance must take a holistic approach to optimize asset value. NanoAeroseal protectant applied to mechanical improvements will improve their efficacy and enhance asset longevity.

The most costly functions in maintenance are labor time and down time. Savings from properly cleaned and sealed surfaces, both interior and exterior, far out-weigh the cost of an annual, or prescribed service, application.