Cold Climates Operations & Systems (CCOS) laboratory
The WTI Cold Climates Operations & Systems (CCOS) laboratory supports active research in the field of winter maintenance operations, including investigations of deicer performance, use of advanced technology in deicer testing, and development of new test methods. In the CCOS lab, researchers can study and assess the characteristics of individual deicing products, such as functionality, ideal blends, and comparative performance. Much of the research focuses on improved integrity of materials, environmentally responsible winter maintenance, and how to effectively implement advanced technologies.
This facility creates a collaborative space where all WTI research staff can work to solve problems on all road types. Our researchers bring a problem-driven, multi-disciplinary team approach to research with a range of interdisciplinary skills. Our CCOS team’s expertise includes mechanical and civil engineering, materials science and engineering, environmental science and engineering, toxicology, and numerical modeling.
Laboratory facilities include:
- Ventilation hoods
- Distilled Water Filtration System
- Analytical Balances
- A corrosion testing machine featuring capabilities for NACE/PNSA gravimetric tests
- Rocker table
- Benchtop freezer
Researchers also have access to other advanced research facilities at or near the Montana State University campus, including the:
- Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory – https://physics.montana.edu/ical/
- Sub-zero Research Laboratory – https://www.montana.edu/subzero/
- Center for Biofilm Engineering – http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering labs
- Civil Engineering labs, composites manufacturing and testing machines
- Land Resource and Environmental Sciences labs
Testing Capabilities*
- Mechanical Rocker Test for Ice Melting Capacity Evaluation (Tuan and Albers, 2014)
- Test Methods for Evaluating Chemical Deicers (SHRP 205.1-6) (Chappelow et at al., 1992)
- Trafficking Testing to Assess Deicer Performance (Muthumani et al.,2016; Fay et al., 2018; and Akin et al., 2020)
*Pricing for testing available upon request. Please contact Laura Fay at laura.fay1@montana.edu.
Current areas of research include:
- Alternative or non-chloride based deicing products
- Methods to quantify deicer performance in the lab
- Agriculturally derived additives to deicers
- Non-invasive or mobile mounted sensors
- Deicer impacts on the near road environment
Project Examples:
- Understanding the Chemical & Mechanical Performance of Snow & Ice Control Agents on Porous and Permeable Pavement
- Understanding the Effectiveness of Non-Chloride Liquid Agricultural By-Products and Solid Complex Chloride/Mineral Products Used in Snow and Ice Control Operations
- Field Usage of Alternative Deicers for Snow and Ice Control
- Investigation of Alternative Deicers for Snow and Ice Control
- Quantifying Soil Concentration on Pavement, Phase 2
- Determination of Soil Organic Carbon and Soil Chloride Concentrations
- Highway Anti-Icing Products and Applications
- Estimating the Application Rate for Liquid Chloride Products Based on Residual Salt Concentration on the Pavement
Partnerships:
- Clear Roads Pooled Fund (https://clearroads.org/)
- Aurora Pooled Fund (https://aurora-program.org/)
- Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Association (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/pns/)
- Civil Engineering Department, MSU (http://www.coe.montana.edu/)
- Subzero Research Laboratory, MSU (https://www.montana.edu/subzero/)
- Imaging & Chemical Analysis Laboratory, MSU (http://www.physics.montana.edu/ICAL/ical.html)
- Transportation Research Board, National Academies (http://gulliver.trb.org/)
- Envirotech (https://envirotechservices.com/)
- Redmond Salt (https://redmond.life/realsalt/)