Locally Sourced Salt Brine Additives for Anti-Icing Optimization

The objectives of this project are to further optimize the anti-icing formulations consisting of raw salt, water, two byproducts of local distilleries/breweries or several commercial additives and to validate their performance in the Alaska field environment.

The objectives of this project are to further optimize the anti-icing formulations consisting of raw salt, water, two byproducts of local distilleries/breweries or several commercial additives and to validate their performance (relative to the current AKDOT&PF anti-icers) in the Alaska field environment. These customized anti-icing formulations are expected to be cost-effectively used to replace high-cost proprietary products by enhancing the performance characteristics of salt brine for anti-icing on Alaska roads. The previous phase of the project has focused on literature review, practitioner survey, and formulation development, whereas this phase will focus on formulation optimization and field operational tests.   This research will provide useful guidance for utilizing locally sourced additives for anti-icing in the State of Alaska. The implementation recommendations in the final report will provide information that the practitioners can immediately implement in their daily operations and in the overall snow and ice control program.