Melt-in-the-mouth technology: The LPS II in the airport service vehicle

Schrader T+A Fahrzeugbau specialises in the construction of special vehicles for the transport of liquid media and relies on innovative technologies in the field of airport service vehicles in order to meet the requirements of modern airports.

The company produces customised vehicles at two sites, including highly specialised service vehicles for airports. Schrader has now opted for the reliable LPS II from LEAB to provide the necessary power supply on board. This all-in-one battery solution revolutionises the way service vehicles are operated by combining sustainability and efficiency.

Shock frost at lofty heights

At the high altitudes at which commercial aircraft fly, clumps of ice can easily form on the wings and in the various service openings. These must be removed on the ground to allow water to be refilled. An efficient way of dissolving the ice is to use hot steam. This is generated in Schrader's service vehicles and directed onto the icy areas to gently remove the frozen liquids.

"The water has to be heated to 165 to 180 degrees Celsius to dissolve the ice," explains Fabian Dickau from LEAB. "Previously, it was common for the compressor for the superheated steam generator to be driven by the vehicle's belt drive. But this has disadvantages on several levels. The power supply via the LPS II requires significantly less maintenance and is a sustainable alternative to a running engine."

A large yellow vehicle with a loading area is parked in front of a garage door with a sign that says Schrader. — A mobile power supply using the LPS II all-in-one solution has both practical and ecological advantages.

Focus on sustainability

As airport operators are now also paying greater attention to climate friendliness, our solution is a perfect fit for contractors such as Schrader. As a result, fossil fuels are saved and harmful emissions are avoided. The fact that this also reduces noise pollution at the airport is a neat side effect. Overall, conventional methods no longer meet the modern requirements for sustainability and environmental protection that airports around the world are increasingly having to face.

"Our LPS II power supply system is an innovative and environmentally friendly solution of which we were able to convince Schrader Fahrzeugbau. The test run with a loaned device was successfully completed and the LPS II will be used regularly in airport service vehicles in future,” says Fabian Dickau.

Next stop: Zero emissions

The LPS II is equipped with a powerful battery that enables the vehicle to carry out up to ten missions before the LPS II needs to be recharged. This is ideal for use in airport service vehicles for daily airport operations and will therefore also be on show at the GSE Expo in Lisbon, the international trade fair for ground support at airports.

Thawing icy surfaces at the water filler neck is by no means the only potential application in the field of airport service vehicles. Our mobile power supply solutions are suitable for many other applications for water service vehicles, service vehicles and trailers. One thing is certain: The topic of zero emissions is currently the dominant theme in the industry.

And that's where LEAB solutions are particularly beneficial.