TPF Studies>>>Detailed View | |
| Study Number: | TPF-5(035) |
| Status: | Contract signed |
| Title: | Pacific Northwest Snowfighters |
| Contract/Other Number: | |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Washington State Department of Transportation |
| Lead Agency: | Washington State Department of Transportation |
| Lead Agency Contact: | Kim Willoughby (willouk@wsdot.wa.gov) Phone: 360-705-7978 Fax: 360-705-6911 |
| Study Partners: | IA, ID, IN, MN, MT, ND, UT, VA, WA |
| Contract Amount: | $250,000 |
| Commitments Received: | $300,000 |
| 100% SP&R Approval: | Approved |
| Contract Start Date: | 10/1/2007 |
| Contract End Date: | 12/31/2011 |
| Background: | Public agencies throughout the Northwest buy and use corrosion inhibited deicing chemicals in an attempt to reduce the effects of corrosion due to the deicers that they apply during winter. These inhibitors are organic (typically carbohydrates which are biodegradable) and add about $30-50 per ton to the cost of deicing chemicals. Laboratory test data indicates that we can reduce the corrosive effects of all deicers by 70% or more by the addition of inhibitors, but what we don¿t know is how long the inhibitors stay with the chlorides after application in a field environment. The deicing chemicals are stored in covered and uncovered facilities in the field and testing needs to be performed to determine if these inhibitors deteriorate and the limit to their effectiveness. Also, the actual field performance of these products needs to be documented to assist maintenance personnel. |
| Objectives: | Phase 1: Determine the longevity and cost effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors added to liquid and solid deicing chemicals Phase 2: Evaluate the performance of liquid and solid deicing chemicals Phase 1 funding: $250,000 Phase 2 funding: $75,000 (if done in conjunction with Phase 1); $200,000 (if done separately) (If additional funding is received, a Phase 3 will be discussed by the Technical Advisory Committee.) The scope of this research is divided into two phases. Phase 1 will evaluate the longevity and cost effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitors that are added to deicers. An evaluation to determine the length of time the inhibitors remain effective within the products as it is applied to the road and also when stored in a variety of storage containment test sites over a period of time. Phase 2 is an evaluation of the performance of the various deicers based on corrosion inhibitors and additives. Each product will be applied at varying rates, road conditions, temperatures, and humidity in order to establish their performance. The products to be evaluated will be decided upon by the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters (PNS) and the technical committee. It is suggested that Phase 2 be conducted in conjunction with Phase 1 if the funding is available (if Phase 2 were conducted separately, we are projecting that the cost would more than double). As a starting point, the deicers that will be tested fall within the following PNS Categories (specific types will be determined by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)): - PNS Category 1 Corrosion Inhibited Liquid - Magnesium Chloride - PNS Category 2 Corrosion Inhibited Liquid - Calcium Chloride - PNS Category 4 Corrosion Inhibited Solid - Sodium Chloride |
| Scope of Work: | As a part of this research, a portable Road Weather Information System (RWIS) will need to be purchased (or rented) to accurately monitor weather conditions. Storage sites, one covered (roof with three sides and the fourth side is open) and the other uncovered, will need to be built or acquired to test the deterioration of the solid products over time. Also, multiple storage tanks (agitated and non-agitated) will be needed to store the various liquid products. In addition, an unoccupied paved lot, unused airport, or other large paved surface will be needed to conduct these tests. Procedures will need to be developed to mark and track the inhibitors that are added to the deicers so they can be monitored during the testing for longevity and effectiveness. In addition, data will need to be collected to determine the amount of residual that is left on the road during this process. The laboratory test procedures, sampling techniques, and sampling frequency will be mutually agreed upon by the TAC. Testing will be performed on an unoccupied paved surface capable of handling multiple test sections at once and will be equipped with the RWIS. Testing will be performed during various weather conditions. Corrosion inhibited Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, and Sodium Chloride (PNS Categories 1, 2, and 4, respectively) will be utilized for this research. The exact products and application rates to be tested will be determined by the TAC and the available funding. Hourly and daily tracking will be required to determine the loss of inhibitor and deicer under differing weather conditions. Traffic will not be taken into consideration at this time because of safety concerns and to try to keep the variables to a minimum. (Future work may incorporate traffic if a safe site is available and pending funding.) Testing will also be performed on the materials stored in the covered and uncovered storage sites and the storage tanks to determine if there is separation of the deicer and inhibitor and whether the product breaks down during storage (i.e. how long can the product be stored and still be effective when applied to the roadway). These products should be evaluated on a regular basis. Phase 1 will: - Determine the longevity of the corrosion inhibitors and establish the duration that it remains with the deicer. - Determine whether the inclusion of the inhibitor is economical. - Determine the effects of exposure at storage sites (i.e. how long the inhibitors are present and active while being stored at open and covered storage sites and how much inhibitor is lost due to exposure of the elements). - Evaluate a salt/sand mixture at a storage site to determine if the ratio changes. Phase 2 will: - Determine the most effective application rates and the most effective product used to combat ice formation in differing weather conditions. - Determine the effectiveness of adding different ratios of salt to sand to treat ice formation. - Determine if inhibitors contribute to the freezing point suppression and if they provide any increase to the effectiveness of the deicers. |
| Comments: | Because we would like to begin the research this fall/winter, we need a funding committment by July 15, 2007. The first TAC meeting will be scheduled during the first two weeks in August. In order to become a TAC representative, a minimum $10,000 contribution is required. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of representatives from the PNS, contributing agencies, and invited participants will refine the scope of work and provide technical input/guidance throughout the duration of the research. A consultant technical advisor with extensive field experience should also be hired. This position will be funded through this research and will work directly with the research institute to provide ongoing assistance. The advisor will also assure that the project is technically correct and that the results will assist state agencies in making proper business decisions. In addition, the advisor will work as the liaison between the technical committee and the researcher and will be required to attend periodic technical meetings. The committee will review and qualify the technical advisor prior to selection. |
| Study Documents: | September 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009 |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| June 1, 2009 - August 31, 2009 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| April 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| July 1, 2007 - September 30, 2007 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| April 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2007 - March 31, 2007 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| October 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| July 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| April 1, 2006 - June 30, 2006 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2006 - March 31, 2006 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| October 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| July 1, 2005 - September 30, 2005 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| April 1, 2005 - June 30, 2005 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2005 - March 30, 2005 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| July 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| April 1, 2003 - June 30, 2003 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| October 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2004 - March 31, 2004 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| January 1, 2004 - June 30, 2004 | |
| Type: Quarterly Progress Report | |
| Subjects: | Maintenance |
| .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... | |
Copyright statement and legal notices
Please send comments, suggestions, and queries to the Webmaster.