Abstract:
This chapter presents a comprehensive field investigation into the ice melting capacities of road salt under extreme cold weather conditions in Ottawa, Canada. The study focuses on the effectiveness of sodium chloride, a commonly used deicing agent, and its performance under varying environmental factors such as air temperature, pavement temperature, and snow conditions. The research involved conducting multiple experiments during the winter season of 2022, applying different rates of road salt to a parking lot and observing its effectiveness in melting ice and snow. The results indicate that higher application rates of road salt generally led to better performance, but lower rates were often ineffective, especially in colder temperatures. The study also highlights the importance of environmental factors like sunlight exposure on the effectiveness of deicing agents. This research is part of a multi-year project aimed at evaluating environmentally friendly deicing and anti-icing chemicals, with a particular focus on understanding the limitations and potential of sodium chloride in harsh winter conditions.
Authors: Lawlor M, Hossain K, Rana M.
Link(s) for the Paper: Conference Website