Alternative Deicer Performance Characterization: Know Before the Snow (Addendum)

Details

• Creators:
  Druschel, Stephen J.
• Corporate Creators:
  Minnesota State University. Center for Transportation Research and Implementation
• Corporate Contributors:
  Minnesota. Department of Transportation. Office of Research & Innovation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Brines Calcium Chloride Deicing Magnesium Chloride Performance Tests Potassium Chloride Sodium Chloride Winter Maintenance
• Publication/ Report Number:
  MN 2026-09add
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Minnesota
• Edition:
  Final Report Addendum
• Corporate Publisher:
  Minnesota. Department of Transportation. Office of Research & Innovation
• Abstract:
  MnDOT has been using alternative deicers (potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride) to melt road way ice at temperatures colder than sodium chloride can melt it alone. Using alternative deicers in brine form has been a way to leverage treatment techniques at temperatures below 15° F. However, these alternative deicers have not yet had the “phase diagram” or “ice melt capacity relationship” developed to characterize their melting ability (potential and performance) by temperature and deicer concentration. Without these tools, MnDOT operators have been working on past observations, hunches and vendor recommendations, without the benefit of the science that guides their use of sodium chloride in rock salt brine. In colder regions of the state, the lack of scientific determination can be particularly troublesome as operators fight refreeze when either temperatures drop or deicer concentrations dilute down, which can result in either unsafe conditions or significantly extra material expense and environmental degradation. This addendum reports the field test and performance comparison of the alternative deicer most in use by MnDOT, under actual winter maintenance operations. Differing rates, blends, distribution equipment and traffic levels were evaluated.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  (C)1055699
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ed1d9c8361380e2f23c474d84b242824b7f8a4812ee31b5480c3c98b59fba2068baf5f1c3b94049abc0c19d474a3217b70c48a900ed804c57ec27056d4ea3b84
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/92361/dot_92361_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 49.06 MB ]