EnviroTech Journal

As a site or project manager, you are always looking to maximize efficiency. When it comes to selecting dust control, it can be hard to  find a product that is suited to your site requirements, stay within budget, and aligned with the strategic goals of the operation. 

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) have been used interchangeably for dust control in order to accommodate pricing and availability, reduce decision time, and simplify the buying process. The tendency to substitute magnesium for calcium chloride, or vice-versa, is exacerbated if you have limited access to supply stores. 

When winter storms come, it is typically the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) and Public Works Agency's responsibility to ensure roads are snow and ice free. Individuals who help create and implement deicing and anti-icing programs are looking to make strategic decisions that maximize operational efficiency.

To increase efficiency, it is important to avoid expensive and time-consuming obstacles, like vehicle maintenance and replacement. State DOTs and Public Works Agencies are taking proactive measures to minimize issues, like corrosion damage, which can be a large contributor to vehicle damage. 

Corrosion is a natural oxidation process that erodes metals due to chemical reactions. Once corrosion is present, it spreads quickly and degrades the quality of metal by forming abrasions, cracks, and holes. State DOTs are working to alleviate corrosion damage by decreasing the amount of product needed to clear roads by implementing brine technology and corrosion inhibitors.

Brine additive, AMP®, got its name for a reason; because it AMP-lifies the performance of anti-icing and deicing programs when combined with salt brine. AMP is a clear, odorless liquid that effectively treats roads before and after storms by reducing snow and ice buildup. Salt brine used alone to pretreat roads often dries out and does not stick to roads, which can be a waste of product and money. AMP combined with salt brine allows the product to bond to the roads, even in the most severe conditions.

One of the biggest enemies to farm machinery and infrastructure is corrosion damage. It is clear when corrosion is present because discoloration and deformation appears on metal surfaces. If left unattended, corrosion spreads and affects nearby surfaces.

A common and costly issue a variety of industries face is corrosion damage, yet no one seems to talk about it. The experts at EnviroTech are here to provide valuable information about what corrosion is, the affect of corrosion, and how it can be prevented. Let’s go over some commonly asked questions regarding corrosion:

Tire ballasting is popular with farmers and many OTR vehicles as it allows vehicles to work safely, with heavier loads than normal.  BallastSeal® enhances both the applicability and usability of Bio-Ballast® Liquid Tire Ballast.  BallastSeal® when used in conjunction with Bio-Ballast® offers the market a unique solution.  Today’s newer tubeless tires often can benefit from a sealant in the Agriculture, Industrial and Off-Road liquid tire ballast market. There are many aspects about liquid ballasting with Bio-Ballast®, in conjunction with BallastSeal®, that will help in getting the most out of your equipment investment. Ballasting with liquid in tires, such as Bio-Ballast®, has proven to pay dividends.  When a lower center of gravity is achieved allowing for more confident operation when lifting and pulling. The combination of BallastSeal™ and BioBallast® helps maintain the optimum tire pressure and maximizes fuel savings.  All the while minimizing the risk due to tire failure, loss of ballast, need for service calls, and enhancing the equipment efficiencies and safety. 

FcaWhen snow and ice melts, the salt goes with it, washing into our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater. When winter comes and snow and ice build-up on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks, one of the most common reactions is to apply salt, which contains chloride.

A study termed the “Freshwater Salinization Syndrome,” have occurred most prominently in densely populated watersheds in the eastern and mid-western U.S. where salinity and alkalinity have increased most rapidly. Cities, counties and states are doing different things to reduce and limit the Chloride (Cl^-) in their water..

For winter maintenance agencies and contractors, snow and ice control is a vital function of their work providing safe conditions for the public. Using an innovative product that reduce costs, improves safety, and mitigates environmental impacts is increasingly important.

Anti-icing using liquid brines is a proactive method of snow and ice control. It’s a proven method to reduce chlorides and lower costs with nearly every state DOT in the US using Liquid Anti-icers. The brines are approximately 20-32% salt (depending on type of salt brine used) and is applied to pavements before a storm to prevent snow and/or ice from bonding. Both liquid and granular deicing/anti-icing products have benefits that, when applied correctly, will maximize your road service levels to keep people safe while minimizing costs to you and the environment. The success of your anti-icing/deicing program depends on your knowledge and application of the right products at the right times depending on conditions. “Dry deicers with wet snow and liquid deicers with dry snow”.