WTI

Evaluation of Alternate Anti-Icing & Deicing Compounds Using Sodium Chloride & Magnesium Chloride as Baseline Deicers

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Performance and Impacts of Current Deicing and Anti-icing Products: User Perspective versus Experimental Data
   1. Laura Fay, Kevin Volkening, Chase Gallaway, Xianming Shi
   2. 4W1095_TRB08.pdf
2. EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE ANTI-ICING AND DEICING COMPOUNDS MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE AS BASELINE DEICERS - PHASE I
   1. Xianming Shi, Laura Fay, Chase Gallaway, Kevin Volkening, Marijean M. Peterson, Tongyan Pan, Andrew Creighton, Collins Lawlor, Stephanie Mumma, Yajun Liu, and Tuan Anh Nguyen
   2. 4W1095_Final_Report.pdf
3. Executive Summary: EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE ANTI-ICING AND DEICING COMPOUNDS MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE AS BASELINE DEICERS - PHASE I
   1. Xianming Shi, Laura Fay, Chase Gallaway, Kevin Volkening, Marijean M. Peterson, Tongyan Pan, Andrew Creighton, Collins Lawlor, Stephanie Mumma, Yajun Liu, and Tuan Anh Nguyen
   2. 4W1095_Exec_Summary.pdf

Project Objective

The overall goal of this project is to evaluate potassium acetate (KA) and sodium acetate/formate blend deicers (or possibly potassium formate) as alternative anti-icing and deicing compounds relative to NaCl salt-sand mixtures and MgCl2 (baseline deicers) based on various criteria specified by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Project Abstract

During the winter months, snow and ice control operations are crucial tools to ensure the safety of traveling motorists on highways in northern states. Research has indicated that the detrimental environmental impacts of abrasives (such as sand) generally outweigh those of salts. For example, seven times more material is required to treat a given distance of roadway when using sand as an abrasive as opposed to using salt. Therefore, studies such as this one are being conducted to research baseline deicers as an alternative to abrasives. Chloride-based deicers, known as road salts, play a key role in ensuring safe winter-driving conditions. These road salts can be found in a variety of snow and ice control products that are usually spread out on roadways to melt ice and snow by lowering the freezing point of the snow-salt mixture. These chemicals are used on winter roadways to either prevent the bonding of ice to the roadway (anti-icing) or break the bond between ice and the roadway (de-icing). In recent years, there has been a transition from reactive strategies (deicing and sanding) to proactive strategies (such as anti-icing) adopted by transportation professionals across North America. The ultimate goal of a winter highway maintenance program is to deliver the right type and amount of materials in the right place and time. The U.S. applies approximately 15 million tons of salts each year and spends 2.3 billion annually to keep roads clear of snow and ice. NaCl is one of the most commonly used deicers, as it has been traditionally abundant and inexpensive. However, its effectiveness is minimal below pavement temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, NaCl may become unusable due to problems with equipment, storage, handling, mixing, application, and industrial hygiene. The use of such large quantities of salts has raised concerns about their adverse impacts on motor vehicles, the transportation infrastructure, and the environment. Due to concern over potential increases in chloride concentrations in receiving streams, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has begun encouraging the use of acetate-based deicers such as potassium acetate (KA) near environmentally sensitive streams. Acetates offer attractive alternatives to chloride-based deicers due to their non-corrosive characteristics, benign impacts on surrounding soils and ecosystems, and minimized adverse human health effects. Disadvantages of acetate-based deicers include the additional amount of product needed and the associated cost, air pollution, and poor performance in thick accumulations of snow and ice and in temperatures below 23 degrees Fahrenheit. This project will continue to investigate and research the use of chemicals to improve winter road conditions and driver safety.

Task Descriptions

1. Project Management
   1. As an important part of this task, fluid communication between members of the research team as well as between the research team and CDOT and subcontractors will be necessary to complete the project objectives. Throughout this two year project, it will be essential to maintain open communications with the CDOT Project Manager and technical advisory panel as well. A kickoff meeting will review the project work plan and timeline, receive suggestions, finalize the scope of work, and if applicable, provide the research team with information regarding other CDOT research projects that may interact with this research. The research team will work closely with CDOT to ensure the successful implementation of research results by CDOT into winter maintenance activities after the completion of this 2-year study and identify any additional phases necessary for successful implementation, such as controlled field demonstration, field pilot study, evaluation, and training.
2. Literature Review on all Current Deicers
   1. The research team will carry out a comprehensive literature review followed by an online survey, both of which will explore all deicers currently available on the market and in use anywhere in the United States and other countries for roadway winter maintenance. The online survey of professionals in the snow and ice control community will be conducted to highlight successes and to learn from previous problems. The CDOT technical panel will be asked to review the survey and based on their field experience make suggestions to enhance the scope of the survey. The survey will then be sent out to DOT contacts and other agencies identified through the preliminary literature review.
3. Literature Review, Lab & Field Test on Selected Deicers
   1. This task will integrate the previous literature review and laboratory and field tests, all of which will research KA, sodium acetate/formate blends, NaCl salt-sand mixtures, and MgCl2. These four chosen deicers will be evaluated based on the following seven categories: • Effectiveness, Performance, Safety, and Ease of Application • Cost Comparison of Deicing Application with Subject Deicers • Impacts on pavements and structures • Reactivity with other deicers • Human health effects • Environmental effects Regional topographic, climatic, and traffic conditions
4. Preparation of Interim and Final Reports
   1. The research team will provide CDOT with reliable, accurate, and Colorado-specific data on which to base future decisions regarding the choice of alternate deicers for snow control and ice removal during winter time operation and maintenance. The research team will deliver interim and final reports to CDOT as well as completed specifications for selected deicers (KA and blends of sodium acetate/formate) for future bidding use.
5. Preparation of Tabular Comparison of the Deicers Investigated
   1. The investigation results of deicers will be summarized into tables for the convenience of review.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

False

Relationship to Other Research Projects

False

Technology Transfer Activities

False

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Alternative deicer, acetates, corrosion

Partners

Colorado Department of Transportation