ICE MELT APPLICATION FOR PROFIT MAXIMIZATION RUSS ALGER, MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY NILES...
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Transcript of ICE MELT APPLICATION FOR PROFIT MAXIMIZATION RUSS ALGER, MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY NILES...
ICE MELT APPLICATION FOR
PROFIT MAXIMIZATION
RUSS ALGER, MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
NILES HYSELL,MORTON SALT
June 24, 2011
Ice Happens…And Sometimes Plowing Isn’t Enough.2
Why Use Ice Melt?
Ice Melt helps snow professionals work faster and safer.
Yet, the ‘unknown’ behind what type of ice melt to use, when to use it, and how much to use can cause: Ineffective melting: Slow melt, no melt,
refreeze, etc. Over application - runoff Client dissatisfaction Reduction in profitsIdentifying optimal application rates can
help minimize negative impact of all these factors.
3
What Application Rate Is Optimal?
Application recommendations exist from a myriad of highly reputable organizations:
“Handbook of Test Methods For
Evaluating Chemical Deicers”, 1992
“Guide For Selecting Deicing Chemicals”, 2001
“Managing Snow And Ice”, 2002
Minnesota Snow and Ice Handbook , “Environmentally Sensitive Spreading Rates”,
2005
“Winter Parking Lot & Sidewalk Maintenance Manual” (Fortin), 2006
“Evaluation of Deicing Blends”, 2009
“Sidewalk and Parking Lot Application Study”,
2011
“Contractor Practices Survey”,
2010
Application Recommendations Vary Significantly From Source To Source…
4
Wide Range of Recommendations Can Lead To “Melter Abuse”
Recommended application ranges
from 2lb - 65lb/1,000 ft2
Using Too Little Ice Melt Can Lead To Safety Hazards While Using Too Much Leads To Environmental and Profitability Concerns.
5
Bulk Highway Package Retail
Commercial
So Who’s Right?…Everyone and No One.
Many factors influence ice melt performance
and effect optimal application rate.
Air Temperat
ure
Surface Temperat
ure
PrecipitationRadiation
Snow/Ice Level Altitude
Foot/Road Traffic
Morton’s Goal Was To Understand Impact of Key Variables To Identify Stronger Guidelines for Commercial Melter Application
Rates.
Melter Type Applicatio
n Rate
Air Movemen
t
Melter Particle
Size
6
What Are We Going To Cover Today: PART 1: RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Third Party Research Test Variable Selection (Melters, Temperatures, Conditions, etc.)
PART 2: TEST SET UP Final Parameters Data Gathering Process & Analysis
PART 3: RESULTS OVERVIEW Initial Findings At Selection Temperature Ranges Findings Detail By Temperature, Product & Application Rate
PART 4: RECOMMENDATIONS & THE BIG PAYOFF Common Ice Melt Myths Recommended applications by product and temperature Potential Savings and Assistance Tools
PART 5: QUESTIONS
7
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
RUSS ALGER
DIRECTOR OF SNOW RESEARCHMICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
PART 1
Third Party Testing Helps Ensure Relevance of Results
In developing research study format and structure, Morton teamed with Russ Alger of Michigan Tech’s Keweenaw Research Center.
MTU experience and focus in Snow & Ice research helped develop optimal testing and data gathering plan for both controlled lab and external field testing.
Location In Houghton, MI provided ideal testing environment.
Keweenaw Research Center
Laboratory testing
validates safety and
performance claims in a controlled setting.
Field testing validates melting performance in real-world
settings.
9
Key factors influence ice melt performance and vary the optimal
application rate.
Surface Temperat
ure
Melter Type
Application Rate
Key Testing Variables Were Identified:
Air andSurface Temperatures, Melter Type, and Application Rate Were Identified as Prime Variables Which Contribute Most To
Melter Performance.
10
Air Tempera
ture
Average Monthly Temperatures: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
WEATHER.COM Monthly Averages
Surface Temperature Selection:
Air temperature directly impacts surface temperature and so was used as a ‘starting point’ for ST selection.
Even in extreme climates like Minneapolis, MN, the average temperature does not drop below 0°F for extended periods of time.
However, there are extreme temperature and wind chill drops that snow professionals must work through in any given season.
Surface Temperature “Ranges” Were Selected To Identify Melting Performance In Extreme And Average Winter Temperatures.
11
Resulting Surface Temperature “Ranges”:
Team identified surface temperature ‘groups’ to capture a range of potential conditions a snow professional may encounter…
> 21°F
11°F – 20°F
0°F – 10°F
<0°F
“Extreme Cold”: <0°F “Below Average”: 0°F to
10°F “Average”: 11°F to 20°F “Just Freezing”: >21°F
12
Melter Selection:
Melting materials were selected to provide a range of pricing options (expensive/inexpensive) and to align with most commonly used melters in the field:
Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt), Calcium Chloride, Calcium Chloride/Rock Salt Blend, and Magnesium Chloride were
selected for trials.GIE Snow Magazine, 2010 State of the Industry Report, “Icing Salt Prices”, Kyle Brown, May 2010
13
Test Melters:
Deicer Composition
Salt Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
Salt/Calcium Chloride Blend
NaCl and CaCl2•H20
Calcium Chloride CaCl2 (Anhydrous)
Magnesium Chloride MgCl2•6H20Deicer Selection and Application Rate Criteria
• Widely used• Availability• Economical• Temperature melting range• Commercial/Highway application
variability
14
Application Rate Selection:
Initial High/Medium/Low application rates were selected as a starting point based on common recommendations from various reputable organizations.
Adjustments to these application rates could be made during the course of the study in the case of observed over/under-melting.
15
TEST SET-UP & DATA GATHERING
PART 2
Laboratory Testing
A controlled laboratory test was performed on each material at each temperature range as a control and comparison point.
The SHRP recommended application rate* of 21lb/1,000 ft2 was used for all melters.
* SHRP H-205.1
17
Test Plot Layout18
Data Gathering Methodology19
Test Methodology20
Example: Calcium Chloride @ 3°F-10°F
Calcium at 60 minutes
60lb/1,000ft2
30lb/1,000ft2
15lb/1,000ft2
21
Image Analysis with ImageJ Software *
* Rasband, W.S., ImageJ, U. S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/,1997-2011
Test Area Image Test Area Image With Bare Pavement Defined by ImageJ
Sample output:
28-Jan-1130 Minutes Picture # # Pixels - ROI # Pixels - Bare Pavement Area Fraction
A2 IMG_5874.JPG 8525862 393608 5%
22
RESULTS OVERVIEW
PART 3
FIRST THE LAB RESULTS
Controlled Laboratory Test Results: -5°F
Note: MgCl2 results were overstated as a result of water present in the hexa-hydrate formula.
At -5°F, 21lb/1000ft2 is not sufficient to melt significant amounts of ice –
however, CaCl2 and MgCl2 melt some ice at this temperature & amount.-
5°F
* SHRP H-205.1, 21lb/1,000ft2
Ice M
elt
ed
(M
easu
red
B
rin
e m
L/g
)
25
At +5°F, 21lb/1000ft2 – CaCl2 still melts faster, however the salt/calcium blend and salt catch up over
time.
Controlled Laboratory Test Results: +5°F
+5°F
* SHRP H-205.1, 21lb/1,000ft2
Ice M
elt
ed
(M
easu
red
B
rin
e m
L/g
)
26
* SHRP H-205.1, 21lb/1,000ft2
Controlled Laboratory Test Results: +15°F
+15°F
At +15°F, salt and salt blends generate the most melting over time.
(MgCl2 demonstrates the least melting capacity despite hydrate levels.)
Ice M
elt
ed
(M
easu
red
B
rin
e m
L/g
)
27
Controlled Laboratory Test Results: +25°F
+25°F
At +25°F, all melters (Except MgCl2) perform fairly consistently.
* SHRP H-205.1, 21lb/1,000ft2
Ice M
elt
ed
(M
easu
red
B
rin
e m
L/g
)28
THE REAL WORLD RESULTS
Field Test: Surface Temp < 0°F
60lb/1,000ft2
No measurable melt.
15lb/1,000ft2
30lb/1,000ft2
No measurable melt.
In extreme winter temperatures, only calcium chloride melts.
A minimum of 60lb/1,000ft2 of calcium chloride is necessary to create partial bare pavement.
Other Conditions: February 10, 2011; 0.25 – 0.5 inches packed snow; Air temp +3 – +6°F; Light flurries.
30
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
Time (Minutes)
Field Test: Surface Temp 0°F to 10°F
15lb/1,000ft2
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
30lb/1,000ft2
Perc
ent
Bare
Pavem
ent
60lb/1,000ft2
In low winter temperatures, a blend of salt and calcium chloride performs better than pure calcium chloride.
A minimum of 60lb/1,000 ft2 is necessary to melt to bare pavement.
Other Conditions: January 25, 2011; 0.25 inches packed snow, 0.25 inches loose snow, air temp 20°F, light snow
Time (Minutes)
Time (Minutes)Time (Minutes)
31
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
Field Test: Surface Temp 11°F to 20°F
15lb/1,000ft2
Perc
en
t B
are
P
avem
en
t
30lb/1,000ft2
Perc
en
t B
are
Pavem
en
t
60lb/1,000ft2
In moderately low temperatures, a blend of salt and calcium chloride performs generally as well as calcium chloride.
A minimum of 60lb/1,000ft2 at 30 minutes is necessary to melt to bare pavement.
Other Conditions: January 28, 2011; 0.25 inches packed snow, air temperature 12°F, no snow
32
Time (Minutes)Time (Minutes)
Time (Minutes)
Field Test: Surface Temp > 20°F
15lb/1,000ft2
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
In the highest temperature range tested, the blend containing calcium melted comparably to straight calcium chloride and magnesium chloride albeit a bit slower. Salt achieved similar results but only at the highest application rate.
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
30lb/1,000ft2
60lb/1,000ft2
Other Conditions: March 4, 2011; 0.25 inches packed snow; Air temp 25 – 29°F; Freezing drizzle
33
Time (Minutes)Time (Minutes)
Time (Minutes)
Perc
ent
Bare
Pa
vem
en
t
APPLICATION GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATIONS
PART 4
Disclaimer
The information presented herein is based upon our own research and general experience and is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, you should conduct your own test to evaluate the effectiveness of deicing products under your own test conditions prior to use. As you can appreciate, since the conditions of handling, use and testing are beyond our control, we make no guarantee of results and assume no liability for direct or consequential damages incurred by following these suggestions. Nothing contained herein is to be construed as a recommendation for use in violation of any patents or of applicable laws and regulations.
35
Key Findings Summary:
Only anhydrous calcium chloride
produces measurable
melting.A deicer must
be complimented
with mechanical removal (i.e. plowing) to
produce bare pavement.
36
In “Extreme” Temperatu
res
In “Low” Temperatu
res
In “Typical”
Temperatures
T < 0°F +0°F to +10°F +11°F to +20°F
High application rates of any deicer are needed to
produce bare pavement. At heaviest
application rate the salt/calcium chloride blend is
most cost-effective deicer.
Performance of the salt/calcium blend becomes equivalent to calcium and magnesium chlorides.
The salt/calcium
chloride blend is the most cost effective deicer
in this temperature
range.
In “Warmer” Temperatu
res
> +21°F
Performance of the salt/calcium
and calcium chloride are
roughly equivalent.
Salt becomes the the most cost-effective deicer in this temperature
range.
Application Recommendation Summary
Melter Type
Rock Salt
Blend Rock Salt
& 10% CaCl2
Calcium Chloride
Magnesium
ChlorideSurface Temp. Range
< 0°FNot
Recommended
Not Recommen
ded>60
Not Recommen
ded
0°F - 10°FNot
Recommended
60 60Not
Recommended
11°F - 20°F > 70 50-60 30-60Not
Recommended
>20°F 45-60 40-60 30-60 30-60
Application (lb/1,000ft2)
= recommended melter
37
Morton Helps Optimize Ice Melt Use With New Smartphone App
Store and track site information
Recommend optimal Morton ice melter based on external conditions
Calculate and track total ice melt quantities needed for each specific snow event
38
Morton Snow Pro App available in early August 2011!
QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION
Next steps