Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPOSITION FOR NON-CHLORIDE BASED AND LESS CORROSIVE LIQUID TYPE
DEICER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for a
non-chloride based and less corrosive liquid type deicer, and
more particularly, to a non-chloride based and less corrosive
liquid type deicer capable of replacing solid type deicers such
as calcium chloride and sodium chloride and capable of reducing
corrosiveness and environmental problems.
DESCription of the Related Art
[0002) As for deicers and deicing methods that have been
currently used, in United States, a mixture of sodium chloride
(NaCl) and crushed sands is used at a temperature range from
above zero to five degrees Celsius below zero. If the
temperature is below negative five degrees Celsius, an amount of
NaCl is reduced or calcium chloride (CaCl2) mixed with crushed
sands is used. In Canada, deicing salts are mainly used, and
sands are used if necessary. For instance, sands are used in the
case of iced roads.
[0003] In Switzerland, a mixture of salt and salt solution is
mainly sprayed over surfaces and, sands are used for sidewalks in
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mountain areas and urban areas. For those roads requiring a high
quality of deicing services, a deicing agent is precedently
sprayed over the roads. Especially, an automatic deicing agent
spraying system has been implemented as an exemplary model.
[0004] The Japanese government has made a special law for
securing safe road traffic in frequent snowing/cold regions and,
has applied this special law to those designated target roads.
In particular, various new technologies such as a system for
melting snow/ice using a slush removal apparatus or wind power
and a high temperature water spray snow/ice melting facility
using wasted heat have been developed.
[0005] In South Korea, those chloride-based solid type
deicers have been used. Examples of such chloride-based slid
type deicers are CaCl2 and NaCl. However, due to strong toxicity
of chlorine, various facilities, structures as well as vehicles
are corroded, and those melting solutions cause severe
environmental destructions, for instance, pollution in rivers,
sewages and soils. In addition to the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the solid type deicers, a post-cleaning
operation is necessary because of excessively used deicers and
sands, which are used simultaneously, and thus, deicing costs
have been increased.
[0006] In more detail, chloride ions contained in the deicing
chemical of CaCl2 or NaCl react with iron (Fe), and ferrous
chloride (FeCl2) is abruptly produced. However, FeCl2 causes
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Severe COrrOSlOn 1n vehlCleS, Steel reinforcements and steel-
framed structures. Also, dissolved CaCl2 becomes a main cause of
environmental pollutions in biological organisms around the roads,
sewages, water, and roadside trees caused by acidified roads and
soils as the dissolved CaCl2 gets into soils and rivers. These
environmental-destruction related costs cannot be even estimated.
[0007] In consideration of the above-described disadvantages
of using the conventional deicers, there have been developed many
substitutionary deicers. For instance, urea, calcium magnesium
acetates (CMAs), calcium magnesium salt of organic acids (CMGs),
less corrosive deicing agents have been proposed. However, these
substitutionary deicers have not been commonly used due to lack
of effectiveness on costs and intended functions.
St~RY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
composition for a non-chloride based and less corrosive liquia
type deicer that substantially obviates one or more problems due
to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a
composition for a liquid type deicer which has characteristics of
non-corrosiveness, environmentally friendliness, convenience in
storage and cost-effectiveness due to a continuous reaction time
and capabilities in removing snow/ice and preventing a re-
refreezing tendency and replaces expensive imported deicers.
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[0010] In more detail, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, the liquid type deicer is not corrosive due to
a non-chloride based composition, does not pollute soils, and is
not re-frozen. Also, the liquid type deicer can be stored in
liquid state, is cost-effective due to a continuously maintained
reaction as the deicer chemicals remain continuously on snow/ice,
and can be easily sprayed. Further, the liquid type deicer is
capable of removing snow/ice and preventing a re-freezing
tendency and can replace expensive imported deicers.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
a composition for a liquid type deicer including potassium
acetate, disodium succinate, dipotassium succinate, ethlylene
glycol, aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, and ethanol.
[0012] In more detail, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, a composition for a liquid type deicer
provided with specific characteristics includes potassium acetate
of approximately 10o to approximately 20o by weight, disodium
succinate of approximately 3o to approximately loo by weight,
dipotassium succinate of approximately to to approximately 5o by
weight, ethlylene glycol of approximately 5o to approximately 100
by weight, an aqueous PVA solution of approximately 40o to
approximately 70o by weight, and ethanol of approximately 5o to
approximately 150.
[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
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follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0014] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a composition for a
non-chloride based and less corrosive liquid type deicer. Among
the provided composition, potassium acetate lowers a freezing
point and acts as a snow/ice melting agent. An amount of the
potassium acetate is in a range of approximately loo to
approximately 20% by weight, preferably, approximately loo to
approximately 15o by weight. If the potassium acetate among the
whole composition has an amount less than approximately loo by
weight, the potassium acetate is less efficient as the snow/ice
melting agent. On the other hand, if the potassium acetate has
the amount above approximately 20~ by weight, a strong base
characteristic appears, thereby eluting polyvinyl alcohol.
[0015] Among the provided composition, disodium succinate
serves as an anti-corrosion agent and has an amount ranging from
approximately 3o to approximately loo by weight, preferably, from
approximately 5o to approximately 8o by weight. If the amount of
disodium succinate is less than approximately 3% by weight, the
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disodium succinate does not provide an intended anti-corrosive
characteristic. In contrast, if the amount of disodium succinate
is greater than approximately loo by weight, the disodium
succinate may impede a descending of a freezing point. Typically,
d~sodium succinate can be produced by using sodium hydroxide and
succinic acid.
[0016] Dipotassium succinate i_s a catalytic snow/ice melting
agent and has an amount ranging from approximately to to
approximately 5o by weight, preferably from approximately 2o to
approximately 4o by weight. If the amount of dipotassium
succinate is less than approximately to by weight, a catalytic
reaction for melting snow/ice may barely appear. If the amount
of dipotassium succinate is greater than approximately 5o by
weight, acidity increases, provoking a corrosive characteristic.
Commonly, dipotassium succinate can be produced by using
potassium hydroxide and succinic acid.
[0017] Ethylene glycol serves a role in lowering a freezing
point and, among the whole composition, has an amount of
approximately 5o to approximately loo by weight. A preferable
amount of ethylene glycol is in a range of approximately 6o to
approximately 9o by weight. If the amount of ethylene glycol is
less than approximately 5% by weight, the ethylene glycol cannot
contribute to the descending of the freezing point. On the other
hand, if the amount of ethylene glycol exceeds approximately 10%
by weight, the ethylene glycol may impede the melting of snow/ice.
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[0018] Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) acts as a binder and is used
in an aqueous state. A dilution concentration of PVA ranges from
approximately O.Olo weight-weight percentage (w/w) to
approximately 0.030 w/w. Especially, an aqueous PVA solution
that is diluted with water is commonly used. If the aqueous PVA
solution has a concentration less than approximately O.Olo w/w,
the aqueous PVA solution provides a weak binding force between
chemicals of the composition. If the aqueous PVA solution is
diluted above approximately 0.03% w/w, there may be produced
precipitations. Among the whole composition, the aqueous PVA
solution has an amount ranging from approximately 40o to
approximately 70o by weight, preferably from approximately 50o to
approximately 60o by weight. If the amount of aqueous PVA
solution is less than approximately 40o by weight, amounts of
other composing chemicals need to be increased relatively. Hence,
there may be a limitation in obtaining a non-freezing
characteristic at extremely low temperature or a disadvantage of
reducing cost-effectiveness. If the amount of aqueous PVA
solution is greater than approximately 70o by weight, an intended
melting effect may be reduced.
[0019] Ethanol lowers a freezing point and serves as a
snow/ice melting agent. Of the whole composition, an amount of
ethanol ranges from approximately 5o to approximately 15o by
weight, preferably, from approximately 5o to approximately 9% by
weight. If the amount of ethanol is less than approximately 50
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by weight, the descending of the freezing point and the snow/ice
melting effect may be diminished. In contrast, if the amount of
ethanol is greater than approximately 15o by weight, there may be
a disadvantage of impairing disodium succinate from functioning
as an anti-corrosive agent.
[0020] Although a manufacturing procedure of such liquid type
deicer based on the above described composition is not
specifically limited, PVA is first dissolved in a large quantity
of water, thereby obtaining a certain concentration of aqueous
PVA solution. The aqueous PVA solution is placed into an
agitator and, while being agitated, potassium acetate is added
and agitated together. Disodium succinate is then added thereto
and is agitated again. Afterwards, dipotassium succinate is
added to the above resulting composition and then agitated again.
Lastly, ethylene glycol is added and agitated and, ethanol is
added thereto and agitated thereafter. Through these sequential
operations, a composition for a non-chloride based and less
corrosive liquid type deicer can be produced. Each composing
chemical is agitated at a rate of approximately 1,000 rpm to
approximately 1,500 rpm and at a temperature ranging from
approximately 10 °C to approximately 30 °C.
[0021] A composition for a non-chloride based and less
corrosive liquid type deicer manufactured according to one
embodiment of the present invention has a freezing point of
approximately -15 °C to approximately -30 °C. Even though lots
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of moisture is produced on road surfaces as snow/ice melts by the
above introduced deicer, there may not be an incidence of re-
freezing even at the abrupt descending temperature.
[0022] As for one embodied method of removing snow/ice using
tre aforementioned composition, a pump is inserted into a
container placed into a certain vehicle and sprays the above-
described deicer through a nozzle. Depending on amounts of
received snow, an amount of the deicer sprayed per unit time
under various ranges of pressure and a spraying rate are adjusted.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to
provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be also
noted that the sprit and scope of the present invention is not
limited by certain embodiments of the present invention.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0025] Exemplary Embodiment l
[0026] Approximately 55 g of aqueous PVA solution with
approximately 0.01 o w/w was placed into an agitator and was then
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agitated. Approximately 19 g of potassium acetate was added
thereto and was agitated together. Next, approximately 5 g cf
disodium succinate was added and was then agitated, being
followed by an addition of approximately 2 g of dipotassium
succinate. The resulting composition was agitated again.
Approximately 10 g of ethylene glycol was added and agitated and
afterwards, approximately 9 g of ethanol was added and agitated
together. These sequential addition and agitation procedures
provide a composition for a liquid type deicer, which dose not
contain chloride ions and is less corrosive.
[0027] Exemplary Embodiments 2 and 3 & Comparative Examples 1
and 2
[0028] Other various exemplary compositions for a liquid type
deicer are possible according to other specific embodiments.
Table 1 provided below shows detailed description of amounts of
composing chemicals of such liquid type deicer which is
manufactured by the above described method in the first exemplary
embodiment.
[Table 1]
(Unit: grams
(g))
Embodiment Embodiment Comparison Comparison
2 3 1 2
Aqueous
PVA 50 55 60 70
Solution
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Potassium
15 15 10 10
Acetate
Disodium
5 5 0 5
Succinate
Dipotassium
5 5 5 5
Succinate
Ethylene
10 10 20 10
Glycol
Ethanol 15 10 5 0
Aqueous PVA
solution:
Embodiment
2-0.010 w/w
aqueous solution
Embodiment
3-0.01% w/w
aqueous solution
Comparison
1-0.01% w/w
aqueous solution
Comparison
2-O.Olo w/w
aqueous solution
[0029] Exemplary Experiment
[0030] Those various compositions for a liquid type deicer
obtained from the above first to the third embodiments and the
firs to the second comparison examples are compared with calcium
chloride (CaCl2) which is a conventional deicer. Evaluation
particulars and methods are described in detail hereinafter.
[0031] (1) Corrosive Characteristic
[0032] Approximately 10 ml of each sample was placed into
approximately 50 ml vials and each lid of vials was opened to
provide an air-pathway. A usual silvery white clip was placed
into each vial such that approximately 2/3 of each clip was
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merged into the sample and then, it was checked when corrosion
occurred at each clip for the corrosion comparison purpose.
Herein, a sample of CaCl2 was an aqueous solution of
approximately 25o by weight.
[0033] (2) Environmental friendliness
[0034] Those samples were set to have approximately 5o by
weight and toxicity of these samples was tested on fish.
Especially, longevity values of healthy loaches when using the
conventional CaCl2 deicer and the deicers introduced by the above
described embodiments were measured for the comparison purpose.
[0035] (3) Cost-Effectiveness
[0036] A reagent was estimated in the unit of kilograms (Kg)
for the individual composition ratio of each sample, and the
estimation results were compared with the conventional CaCl2
solution.
[0037] (4) Reaction Time (Snow/Ice Removing Effect)
[0038] Approximately 50 ml of each sample was placed into
individual beakers of approximately 100 ml and then,
approximately 9 ml of ice was put thereinto and a time taken for
the complete melting of ice was measured. Approximately 25 g of
solid CaCl2 was used.
[0039] The above described test results are summarized in
Table 2 below.
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Table 21
Comparison
Embodiment Calcium
Example
Chloride
1 2 3 1 2
Phase Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquid solid
65 55 30 60 2
Corrosiveness 55 days
days days days days days
Environmental 10 8 9 7 10 1
Friendliness days days days days days day
Cost- 450 450 450 400 300 400
Effectiveness Wons/Kg Wons/Kg Wons/Kg Wons/Kg Wons/Kg Wons/P;g
Reaction Time About
4
(Snow/Ice About About About minutes About About 5
3 3 3 4
Removing minutes minutes minutes 15 minutes minutes
Effect) seconds
[0040] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention, there are provided effects as follows. First, the
conventionally used calcium chloride deicer, which may corrode
rapidly irons, concretes and asphalted pavements and thus,
shortening lifetimes of vehicles, bridges and roadways. Compared
with the conventional calcium chloride, the introduced liquid
type deicer does not include chloride families and thus, an
incidence of corrosion is less likely to occur, thereby
increasing lifetimes of vehicles and roadways.
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[0041] Second, calcium chloride is dissolved in water and
gets into rivers and soils, causing serious environmental
problems including acidification of soils and water pollution,
which may eventually result in deaths of plants such as trees in
roadsides and various vegetables, and many skin diseases and
itchiness of various animals. In contrast, the introduced liquid
type deicer is environmentally friendly by not containing
chloride ions and as a result, the introduced liquid type deicer
does not destruct ecological systems, corrode concrete structures
and pollute soils and rivers.
[0042] Third, when using the conventional calcium chloride to
remove snow/ice, lots of moisture are produced as snow/ice melts
and, when the temperature drops down in a certain extent, more
wide regions are likely to be frozen again, thereby resulting in
a high risk of secondary traffic accidents. However, the
introduced liquid type deicer according to certain embodiments of
the present invention is capable of melting snow/ice for a long
time as simultaneous as of preventing an incidence of re-freezing,
which results in a decreased amount of moisture, which may be a
potential re-freezing source. Therefore, it is possible to
reduce a risk of dangerous secondary traffic accidents.
[0043] Fourth, the conventional deicers such as calcium
chloride may be hardened into lumps as absorbing moisture from
the air when being exposed for a long time . Thus, these lumped
deicers need to be crushed again when being used to remove
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snow/ice. In contrast, the introduced liquid type deicer can be
conveniently storable and easily sprayed over surfaces.
[0044] Fifth, the conventional calcium chloride may be
effective for a short period, and although the conventionally
used calcium chloride and sodium chloride is cheap, sands have to
be used additionally. Also, the use of these conventional
deicers may be expensive requiring an additional cleansing
operation and labors therefor. The conventional deicers may have
indirect costs related to various environmental problems provoked
when using these conventional deicers. However, the introduced
liquid type deicer continuously maintains the intended deicing
function by remaining on surfaces of snow/ice. As a result, the
price of the introduced liquid deicer is not expensive and does
not require the additional costs and indirect costs related to
environmental problems. That is, the introduced deicer is more
cost-effective.
[0045] Sixth, since the introduced deicer is in liquid state,
it is easy to spray while proving those functions of removing
snow/ice and preventing an incidence of re-freezing.
[0046] Lastly, based on the above-described effects, the
introduced liquid type deicer can also replace expensive imported
deicers.
[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made in the present
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention
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covers the modifications and variations of this invention
provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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