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ice control for roads and walkwaysice control for roads and walkways

overviewoverview

In the 1980s, environmental issues andthe demand for better performance helped contribute to rapid changesin the de-icing industry. A multitude of alternative de-icingproducts are now available, and more are being developed.

When purchasingThe act and the function of responsibility for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. In a narrow sense, the term describes the process of buying. In a broader sense, the term describes determining the need, selecting the supplier, arriving at a fair and reasonable price and terms, preparing the contract or purchase order, and following up to ensure timely delivery. de-icers,consideration must be given to the chemical content of the productand its environmental impact, as well as performance and cost.

Products containing chlorides maypollute lakes and drinking water supplies and cause harm to plantsand animals. If not handled appropriately, they can also cause damage to carpeting, shoes,linoleum and tile floors, cement, and metal. In addition, products that contain urea should beavoided because they can pose health risks for humans and theenvironment.

laws & guidelineslaws & guidelines

Minnesota Statutes § 160.215restricts the use of salt and other harmful, corrosive chemicals onroadways. These chemicals are only permitted in areas where tractionis critical, such as on hills, at intersections, or on high-speed orprincipal roadways.

performanceperformance

Sidewalks, Walkways, and Bridge Decks
Potassium acetate, potassium chloride, and magnesium chloride arereliable choices for smaller areas such as bridge decks, sidewalks,walkways, and entrances. Potassium acetate is a biodegradable liquidde-icer with good ice melting capacity. It is frequently used as apre-wetting agent for sand, and because it is corrosive, a corrosioninhibitor is added. Currently Mn/DOT is experimenting with potassiumacetate as a bridge deicer.

Potassium and magnesium chlorides arefrequently used under sidewalk sand, and although they containchloride that may be toxic to plants in large quantities, they areless environmentally damaging than sodium or calcium chlorideproducts when applied properly. Potassium and magnesium chloridesare readily available, moderately priced, and easy to apply tosidewalks, walkways, and entrances. Read labels carefully, andalways apply de-icers according to manufacturer's instructions.Over-application of any de-icer can cause damage to surroundingstructures, whether natural or built.

Roads and Highways
Alternativesto sand and road salt are magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, andpotassium acetate. These products and sodium chloride are presentlyavailable with agricultural additives such as corn-based liquid andcane sugar liquid concentrates. Two corn-based deicer products areavailable: Ice Ban® by PenfordProducts and CaliberTM by GlacialTechnologies. While the final environmental evaluation is stillpending, preliminary results show these concentrates arebiodegradable, do not accumulate in the environment, and arenon-toxic to vegetation and humans. In tests conducted by theWashington Department of Transportation, Ice Ban® was found to beless corrosive than water. The same study indicated that pure IceBan® may actually protect metals against corrosion.

Relatively new to the market iscalcium magnesium acetate (CMA), originally developed as anenvironmentally responsible alternative to road salt. CMA is safefor vegetation, ground and drinking water supplies, and concrete.Its coating action also reduces the risk of moisture penetration andsurface damage to concrete.

availabilityavailability

Availability is good for de-icers for smallerareas such as potassium acetate as well as potassium andmagnesium chloride; similarly, it is not difficult to findcorn-based liquidconcentrates (such as Ice Ban®) forroadways. Each may be purchased through retailers and wholesalers. CMA is not readilyavailable, however.

costcost

Road salt and other products that areprimarily composed of chlorides and urea are initially cheaper tobuy (about $30 per ton) than agri-based products such as Ice Ban(about $100 per ton). However, the long-term costs increase withchloride and urea use. These include expenses for replacement ofconcrete and metal structures due to corrosion of the metal, as wellas the potential cost for environmental damage and clean-up attachedto their use.

CMA costs around $200 per ton. Newmethods of producing CMA (which involve processing a blend ofmunicipal waste and cheese whey) are being developed with thepotential to significantly reduce the product's cost.

vendorsvendors

Minnesota State Contract
The state contract for deicers includes agri-based alternatives(plant-based) and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
  • D-156 (5) Deicers: CMA & Alternates

Other Vendors
Ask if your distributor carriesproducts in the following categories, or contact manufacturers and distributors forinformation:

Sidewalks and Walkways

Nu-GroCorporation
Brantford, ON
Canada
Contact: Steve Hewgill, National Sales Manager
800/461-7356
Product: Manufacturerof the deicers Alaskan, Mercury, Ice Cutter, and Great White.

Roads and Walkways

GlacialTechnologies
Marshall, MN
866/647-4812
Products: Manufacturerof CaliberTM, corn-based deicers.

I.M.U.S.,Inc.
Rome, NY
518/695-5627
Product: U.S. distributor for Innovative Products.

InnovativeCompany
Ajax, ONT
800/387-5777
Product: Manufactures MAG and Magic Salt magnesium chloride-basedproducts.

PenfordProducts
303/643-1685
Products: Manufacturerof Ice Ban® corn-based deicers.

Roads

EarthFriendly Chemicals, Inc.
Virginia Beach, VA
757/226-2750
fax: 757/226-2732
Product:Web site provides list of distributors of Ice Ban® anti-icing anddeicing corn-based products manufactured in Cedar Rapids, Iowa byPenford Products.

Envirotech Services
Contact: TomBroadbent, Regional Manager
Two Harbors, MN
218/834-9217 or800/369-3878
Product: Distributor of a number of anti-icing and deicing productsincluding magnesium-chloride-based deicers and CaliberTM, acorn-based deicer manufactured by Glacial Technologies.

GrainProcessing Corporation
Horizon Products Division
Muscatine, IA
563/264-4211
fax: 563/264-4289
Products: GEOMELTTM and MOUNTAIN MELTTM, naturalagricultural-based anti-icing and deicing products used to pre-treatsand or salt.

resourcesresources


Minnesota Department of Transportation

Contact: Robert Vasek, Maintenance
Operations Support Engineer


success storiessuccess stories

Ice Control

Interest in and use of Ice Ban® in Minnesota is growing. The Rosedale Mall in Roseville is using it in place of road salt.

CaliberTM products are undergoing evaluation by the Mn/DOT Metro Division, which is using them for direct application for anti-icing as well as pretreatment of salt stockpiles for deicing applications. Early results from the pretreatment study show reduced sodium chloride use, reduced surface corrosion, and residual deicer that carries through to the next storm. The cost is approximately the same as direct application of dry salt without pre-wetting.

Minnesota Department of Transportation
Robert Vasek, Maintenance Operations Support Engineer
651/297-5113

Ice Ban® has been tested in other states as well. Here are two examples:

  • In 1997, the Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) conducted corrosivity tests on various de-icers. Investigators used rock salt as the base standardA characteristic or set of characteristics for an item, generally accepted by the manufacturers and users of the item as a required characteristic for all such items. for the tests, assigning it a corrosiveness value of 100%. Water was rated 5% to 6% and Ice Ban® (mixed with chloride brines) only 1.5%. In addition, Ice Ban® was found to greatly cut down on damage to transportation infrastructure, crew equipment, and automobile frames, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
  • In Hancock County, Ohio, tests showed that material treated with Ice Ban® goes farther than salt and works on the road system quicker. Ice Ban®-treated material stayed on the roads longer, so less material and labor was needed. While a complete analysis has not yet been undertaken, some municipalities report savings in their winter road budgets of as much as 30% to 45%.

sourcessources

Minnesota Department ofTransportation
"De-Icing Salt is Here to Stay, But Can Be Used MoreWisely"
Academy of Natural Sciences
February 1990

"Steel Corrosion"
Carl E. Locke, Professor, Dean of Engineering
University of Texas (Austin)
1990

"HorticultureSolutions Series: Salt Injury"
University of Illinois

"The De-icing Debate:Will It Ever Be Put On Ice?"
Michigan Technological University
1994

Less Hazardous

Less HazardousLess Hazardous

Whenpossible, reduce use of products that contain high levels ofchlorides and urea, which pose health risks to employees andthe environment.
Prevents Waste

Prevents WastePrevents Waste

Corn-basedde-icers are less corrosive than water, helping to preservestructures, vehicles, and clothing.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Last Revised April 21, 2008 - 1:58pm