EnviroTech Services Testing Deicers

One of the constant issues within the world of deicing and anti-icing is the quantification of performance data. Sifting through the abundance of data and variables at play when assessing performance can be daunting. 

“Since EnviroTech Services, Inc. (ESI) takes its role as an industry leader seriously, we are constantly looking for ways to advance, not just products themselves, but commensurate testing methods, as well,” says an EnviroTech spokesperson. “Not all companies facilitate facts to back up their claims, making this an important issue within our industry. It is with this in mind that ESI will be engaging in a new series of cutting-edge tests throughout this winter season.”

The intent of these unique tests is to eliminate the former gap between what is said to work according to lab data and what the end user sees in the field. The specifics of these tests are deliberately quantitative enough to take measurements in the field and then correlate the results in the lab. This will determine not only if the product works, but also how well it works.  

Testing equipment was placed the third week of November in partnership with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the City of Fort Collins and commenced with preliminary snowfall. Due to limited funding, partnerships and testing locations remain restricted; however, affiliation with others such as Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) is still being discussed. 

Divided highways have been chosen as an essential location for the testing trials. One side will contain a controlled commodity 29 percent Magnesium Chloride product application, while an ESI-enhanced product will be enclosed on the other. This procedure will precisely show the benefit of using value added products including white salt vs. Ice Slicer and regular Mag Chloride vs. MeltDown Apex. 

Existing poles or overhead traffic signs provide a suitable location for the installation of road sensors, which will then report directly back to a website. The crew responsible for maintaining the state roads just east of Greeley, Colorado will run taper logs or use AVL to track usage of products during storm events. Both ESI and partners will have live access to all of the data and video cameras. 

While administering the tests the following variables will be tracked:

• Air temperature
• Ground temperate
• Road friction
• Wet and dry humidity
• Barometric pressure
• Thermometric pressure
• Wind speed and direction
• Ice layer depth
• Snow layer depth
• Water layer depth

Products will then be compared based on a friction coefficient. Tires need a certain amount of friction to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Dry roads usually account for levels of .82 or .9. As water begins to accumulate and freeze the friction level drops to .5 or lower. 

“We are aiming to get these products as close to the high number as possible during storms, thus allowing a vehicle traveling 30 mph to stop within a certain amount of feet,” says the spokesperson.

End data will be shared with partners such as DOT’s and academic agencies to assist in increasing the potential for future research projects. The safety of the public will be kept in mind and ensured during these trials. Please continue to follow Snow Magazine online for upcoming results.

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