CA1217040A - Ice melter and method of making same - Google Patents
Ice melter and method of making sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1217040A CA1217040A CA000461886A CA461886A CA1217040A CA 1217040 A CA1217040 A CA 1217040A CA 000461886 A CA000461886 A CA 000461886A CA 461886 A CA461886 A CA 461886A CA 1217040 A CA1217040 A CA 1217040A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- salt
- composition
- amide
- urea
- potassium chloride
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Fertilizers (AREA)
- Materials Applied To Surfaces To Minimize Adherence Of Mist Or Water (AREA)
Abstract
ICE MELTER AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a composition for melting ice, particularly for melting ice from driveways, sidewalks and the like. The composition includes a salt, more particularly sodium and/or potassium chloride and an amide such as urea. The method of making the composition includes the steps of 1 sizing the salt, 2) spraying a liquid amide thereon, and 3) drying the resultant composition. -1-
Description
r ~
ICE MELTER AND METHOD OF MAKING S~ME
.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of The Invention:
This invention relates to compositions ~or melting ice and more par-ticularly for melting ice on drivewa~s, sidewalks, and the like.
The invention also contemplates the method of making the composition.
Description Of T~e Prior Art:
Unre~ined rock salt has long been used to melt ice on driveways, sidewalks and the like; however, the wide variation in particle size makes it nearly impossible to spread uniformly. Moreover, the impurities in the salt leave an unsightly coating on the melted surface which, when tracked indoors, i5 damaging to floors and carpeting. Vegetation is also vulnerable to damage from salt. Sodium builds up in the soil and ultimately can result in the soil becoming completely toxic to plant growth.
Examples of patents which relate to compositions for melting ice are U.S. Patent No. 2,626,219 which deals with a sawdust sprayed with a salt solution; U.S. Patent No. 3,108,075 which deals with the use of urea; U.S. Patent No. 3,227,654 which deals with a urea alkali-metal nitrate composition; UOS~ Patent No. 2,988,509 which deals with a mixture of sodium chloride and calcium chloride; U.S. Patent No. 2,980,620 which does not use any chlorides at all;
U.S. Patent No. 4,283,297 which does not use any salts;
U.S. Patent No. 2,158,854 which deals with an aluminum . ~
7~
chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride composition;
U.S. Patent No. 3,772/202 which does not use urea;
U~S. Patent No. 4,081,256 which does not use sodium chloride;
U.S. Patent No. 4,119,556 which is a thermal energy storage material that does not use urea; and U.S. Patent No. 4,175,613 which is an energy s-torage material which is not pertinent at all.
None of these references shows the composition of this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The salt, i.e., sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride, used in the composition of this invention is completely soluble and virtually free of calcium sulfate and other materials forming white deposits on melted surfaces. A predetermined size range of solid materials that are most effective in reducing hazardous conditions has been determined for sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride to be approximately 94~ between 1.19 - 2.36 millimeters. Since potassium chloride is included as a substantial component, the danger of damage to vegetation is reduced to near zero.
The hygroscopicity of sodium chloride and potassium chloride is low; however, by coating the two materials with an amide such as urea, the melting action of the composition is greatly enhanced. Urea, being very hygroscopic, goes into solution at once when exposed to ice or snow, thus providing an aquatic solution to speed the disolution of the sodium and potassium chloride.
~ 3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFER~D EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides an ice melting composition designed primarily for use on driveways, sidewalks and the like, which is in a dry,stable form that lends itself readily to application~ The inven-tion relates to a chemical composition including a salt such as sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride and an amide such as urea, which is characterized by an enhanced ice melting capability.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that an ice melter composition has been provided which is simple to use and harmless to the user and wherein the composition includes a salt, preferably a mixture of sodium and/or potassium chloride together with an amide which is preferably urea. The urea is coated on the sodium chloride/potassium chloride combination from about 1% to about 4~ by weight of the salt. The sodium chloride/potassium chloride combination is present by weight in about three parts of sodium chloride to one part of potassium chloride.
The peculiar combination of ingredients in the ice melter of this invention produces a synergistic action which causes the mixture to perform better in combination than it would in its component parts. For example, the application of sodium chloride or potassium chloride by itself to an ice-coated surface will not give the same results as will the combination of the chemicals of this invention. In the following -table, it will be noted that a 3:1 ratio by weight of sodium chloride to potassium chloride produces a eutectic temperature which is lower than that of other comblnations of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. In particular, a 3:1 ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride with 3% by weight of the salt of urea provides a 0.5 F. freezing point which is lower than all other combinations of sodium chlo-ride/potassium chloride and urea.
EREEZXNG POINT ANALYSES
Wt Ratio0% Urea1% Urea 2% Urea 3% Urea 4% Urea NaCl/KCL Freezing Points 10 1:1 7.0 F 7.5 F5.2 F 4.0 F 3.g F
ICE MELTER AND METHOD OF MAKING S~ME
.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of The Invention:
This invention relates to compositions ~or melting ice and more par-ticularly for melting ice on drivewa~s, sidewalks, and the like.
The invention also contemplates the method of making the composition.
Description Of T~e Prior Art:
Unre~ined rock salt has long been used to melt ice on driveways, sidewalks and the like; however, the wide variation in particle size makes it nearly impossible to spread uniformly. Moreover, the impurities in the salt leave an unsightly coating on the melted surface which, when tracked indoors, i5 damaging to floors and carpeting. Vegetation is also vulnerable to damage from salt. Sodium builds up in the soil and ultimately can result in the soil becoming completely toxic to plant growth.
Examples of patents which relate to compositions for melting ice are U.S. Patent No. 2,626,219 which deals with a sawdust sprayed with a salt solution; U.S. Patent No. 3,108,075 which deals with the use of urea; U.S. Patent No. 3,227,654 which deals with a urea alkali-metal nitrate composition; UOS~ Patent No. 2,988,509 which deals with a mixture of sodium chloride and calcium chloride; U.S. Patent No. 2,980,620 which does not use any chlorides at all;
U.S. Patent No. 4,283,297 which does not use any salts;
U.S. Patent No. 2,158,854 which deals with an aluminum . ~
7~
chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride composition;
U.S. Patent No. 3,772/202 which does not use urea;
U~S. Patent No. 4,081,256 which does not use sodium chloride;
U.S. Patent No. 4,119,556 which is a thermal energy storage material that does not use urea; and U.S. Patent No. 4,175,613 which is an energy s-torage material which is not pertinent at all.
None of these references shows the composition of this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The salt, i.e., sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride, used in the composition of this invention is completely soluble and virtually free of calcium sulfate and other materials forming white deposits on melted surfaces. A predetermined size range of solid materials that are most effective in reducing hazardous conditions has been determined for sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride to be approximately 94~ between 1.19 - 2.36 millimeters. Since potassium chloride is included as a substantial component, the danger of damage to vegetation is reduced to near zero.
The hygroscopicity of sodium chloride and potassium chloride is low; however, by coating the two materials with an amide such as urea, the melting action of the composition is greatly enhanced. Urea, being very hygroscopic, goes into solution at once when exposed to ice or snow, thus providing an aquatic solution to speed the disolution of the sodium and potassium chloride.
~ 3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFER~D EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides an ice melting composition designed primarily for use on driveways, sidewalks and the like, which is in a dry,stable form that lends itself readily to application~ The inven-tion relates to a chemical composition including a salt such as sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride and an amide such as urea, which is characterized by an enhanced ice melting capability.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that an ice melter composition has been provided which is simple to use and harmless to the user and wherein the composition includes a salt, preferably a mixture of sodium and/or potassium chloride together with an amide which is preferably urea. The urea is coated on the sodium chloride/potassium chloride combination from about 1% to about 4~ by weight of the salt. The sodium chloride/potassium chloride combination is present by weight in about three parts of sodium chloride to one part of potassium chloride.
The peculiar combination of ingredients in the ice melter of this invention produces a synergistic action which causes the mixture to perform better in combination than it would in its component parts. For example, the application of sodium chloride or potassium chloride by itself to an ice-coated surface will not give the same results as will the combination of the chemicals of this invention. In the following -table, it will be noted that a 3:1 ratio by weight of sodium chloride to potassium chloride produces a eutectic temperature which is lower than that of other comblnations of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. In particular, a 3:1 ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride with 3% by weight of the salt of urea provides a 0.5 F. freezing point which is lower than all other combinations of sodium chlo-ride/potassium chloride and urea.
EREEZXNG POINT ANALYSES
Wt Ratio0% Urea1% Urea 2% Urea 3% Urea 4% Urea NaCl/KCL Freezing Points 10 1:1 7.0 F 7.5 F5.2 F 4.0 F 3.g F
2:1 2.0 F 5.5 F2.0 F 4.0 F 4.5 F
3:1 2.6 F 1.0 F1.8 F 0.5 F 3.6 F
4:1 2.5 F 3.5 F3.0 F 2.0 F 2.0 F
It will be seen from the table that 20 separate samples were made up in the ratio as shown in the table of results. The mixtures were all on a weight/weight basis. A portion of each mixture was used to make a 20% solution in deionized water. Each of these was then placed in an acetone/dry ice bath and stirred vigorously with a Teflon coated stir bar. The temperature was monitored with an antifreeze thermometer with a range of 35 F. to -35 F. The freezing point temperature was recorded just as the solution turned to slush.
The lowest freezing temperature was obtained on the 3:1 sodium chloride/potassium chloxide solution with 3~ urea. It was recorded as 0.5 F. All other tempera-tures ranged from 7 F. to 0.5 F.
In the method of making the ICE MELTER compo-sition of this invention, the salt mixture is screened to a uniform size, i.e., +8 14 Tyler mesh, and is fed into a rotating drum mixer. The drum is approximately five feet in diameter and six feet in length. It has a perpherial speed of 149-154 feet per minute. A six inch dam on the discharge end o the incllned drum mixer retains a rolling bed of the mixed salts. A flat fan spray nozzle (Spraying Systems H.25 W 8003 or equivalent) at pressures between 25 and 40 PSIG is used to coat the urea solution on the salt mixture. Water solutions of urea with varying concentrations of from 40% to 70% by weight are used.
Urea solutions can be stabilized or unstabilized depending on ambient conditions. The rolling action of the bed in the mixer acts to pass each particle of salt through the spray solution resulting in uniform coating. The material from the mixer acts to pass each particle of salt thxough the spray solution resulting in uniform coating.
The material from the mixer is discharged into a rotary dryer, 5 feet in diameter and 30 feet long, for removal of water and crystallization of the urea. The dryer is heated with a gas burner to give the material exiting the dryer a temperature of between 140 F - 180 F.
Product material is discharged from the dryer into a cooler through a closed chute tha-t is also a counterair plenum for both dryer and cooler. ~ir flow control through the cooler is by means of adjustable valves in the discharge plenum. Ambient air is drawn into the ~'7~
discharge end of the cooler, thereby flowing counter cur-rent to material flow at approximately 2000 cubic feet per minute. Continued moisture removal by surface evapora-tion tends to control final product moisture content at about 0.05%. Also, evaporative cooling tends to stabilize and harden the urea coating to prevent phase changes as environmental conditions fluctuate.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that an ice melter composition has been provided which is simple to use and harmless to the user and wherein the composition includes a salt, more particularly sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride and preferably a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium which is coated with an amide, more particularly urea. The method of making the lce melting composition is also disclosed.
It will be seen from the table that 20 separate samples were made up in the ratio as shown in the table of results. The mixtures were all on a weight/weight basis. A portion of each mixture was used to make a 20% solution in deionized water. Each of these was then placed in an acetone/dry ice bath and stirred vigorously with a Teflon coated stir bar. The temperature was monitored with an antifreeze thermometer with a range of 35 F. to -35 F. The freezing point temperature was recorded just as the solution turned to slush.
The lowest freezing temperature was obtained on the 3:1 sodium chloride/potassium chloxide solution with 3~ urea. It was recorded as 0.5 F. All other tempera-tures ranged from 7 F. to 0.5 F.
In the method of making the ICE MELTER compo-sition of this invention, the salt mixture is screened to a uniform size, i.e., +8 14 Tyler mesh, and is fed into a rotating drum mixer. The drum is approximately five feet in diameter and six feet in length. It has a perpherial speed of 149-154 feet per minute. A six inch dam on the discharge end o the incllned drum mixer retains a rolling bed of the mixed salts. A flat fan spray nozzle (Spraying Systems H.25 W 8003 or equivalent) at pressures between 25 and 40 PSIG is used to coat the urea solution on the salt mixture. Water solutions of urea with varying concentrations of from 40% to 70% by weight are used.
Urea solutions can be stabilized or unstabilized depending on ambient conditions. The rolling action of the bed in the mixer acts to pass each particle of salt through the spray solution resulting in uniform coating. The material from the mixer acts to pass each particle of salt thxough the spray solution resulting in uniform coating.
The material from the mixer is discharged into a rotary dryer, 5 feet in diameter and 30 feet long, for removal of water and crystallization of the urea. The dryer is heated with a gas burner to give the material exiting the dryer a temperature of between 140 F - 180 F.
Product material is discharged from the dryer into a cooler through a closed chute tha-t is also a counterair plenum for both dryer and cooler. ~ir flow control through the cooler is by means of adjustable valves in the discharge plenum. Ambient air is drawn into the ~'7~
discharge end of the cooler, thereby flowing counter cur-rent to material flow at approximately 2000 cubic feet per minute. Continued moisture removal by surface evapora-tion tends to control final product moisture content at about 0.05%. Also, evaporative cooling tends to stabilize and harden the urea coating to prevent phase changes as environmental conditions fluctuate.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that an ice melter composition has been provided which is simple to use and harmless to the user and wherein the composition includes a salt, more particularly sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride and preferably a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium which is coated with an amide, more particularly urea. The method of making the lce melting composition is also disclosed.
Claims (5)
1. An ice melter composition for use on driveways, sidewalks and the like comprising:
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a mixture of sodium and potassium chloride and said amide is urea, said sodium chloride being present in the ratio by weight of 3 to 1 of said potassium chloride.
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a mixture of sodium and potassium chloride and said amide is urea, said sodium chloride being present in the ratio by weight of 3 to 1 of said potassium chloride.
2. An ice melter composition for use on driveways, sidewalks and the like comprising:
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a mixture of 3 parts by weight of sodium chloride to 1 part by weigh-t of potassium chloride and said amide being urea which is present and coated on said salt combina-tion in from about 1% to about 4% by weight of said salt combination.
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a mixture of 3 parts by weight of sodium chloride to 1 part by weigh-t of potassium chloride and said amide being urea which is present and coated on said salt combina-tion in from about 1% to about 4% by weight of said salt combination.
3. The method of making an ice melter composition comprising the steps of:
(1) sizing the salt portion of said composition, (2) spraying the sized salt with a liquid amide, and (3) drying said composition, said salt being a mixture of sodium and potassium chloride, said amide being urea, said urea being present in from about 1% to about 4% by weight of said sodium-potassium chloride mixture.
(1) sizing the salt portion of said composition, (2) spraying the sized salt with a liquid amide, and (3) drying said composition, said salt being a mixture of sodium and potassium chloride, said amide being urea, said urea being present in from about 1% to about 4% by weight of said sodium-potassium chloride mixture.
4. An ice melter composition for use on driveways, side-walks, and the like comprising:
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a soluble mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, of which mixture each said chloride is a substantial component by weight, said salt combination being in particulate form sized to substantially lie in the range of from about 1.19 milli-meters to about 2.36 millimeters, and said amide comprising urea which is present and coated on the particulate material making up said salt combination in the range of from about 1 percent to about 4 percent by weight of said salt combination.
a salt combination and an amide, said salt combination comprising a soluble mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, of which mixture each said chloride is a substantial component by weight, said salt combination being in particulate form sized to substantially lie in the range of from about 1.19 milli-meters to about 2.36 millimeters, and said amide comprising urea which is present and coated on the particulate material making up said salt combination in the range of from about 1 percent to about 4 percent by weight of said salt combination.
5. The method of making an ice melter composition comprising steps of:
(1) sizing the salt portion of said composition, (2) spraying the sized salt with a liquid amide, and (3) drying said composition, said salt being a soluble mixture of sodium and potassium chloride in particulate form sized to substantially lie in the range of from about 1.19 millimeters to about 2.36 millimeters, said amide being urea which is present in said composition in from about 1 percent to about 4 percent by weight of said salt.
(1) sizing the salt portion of said composition, (2) spraying the sized salt with a liquid amide, and (3) drying said composition, said salt being a soluble mixture of sodium and potassium chloride in particulate form sized to substantially lie in the range of from about 1.19 millimeters to about 2.36 millimeters, said amide being urea which is present in said composition in from about 1 percent to about 4 percent by weight of said salt.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US57725684A | 1984-02-06 | 1984-02-06 | |
| US577,256 | 1984-02-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1217040A true CA1217040A (en) | 1987-01-27 |
Family
ID=24307934
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000461886A Expired CA1217040A (en) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-27 | Ice melter and method of making same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1217040A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE1007521A5 (en) * | 1992-09-29 | 1995-07-25 | Kali & Salz Ag | Method for preventing formation of dust during loading or unloading and transport of granulated fertilizer sulfates. |
| US5683619A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1997-11-04 | Ossian, Inc. | De-icing composition and method for making same |
-
1984
- 1984-08-27 CA CA000461886A patent/CA1217040A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE1007521A5 (en) * | 1992-09-29 | 1995-07-25 | Kali & Salz Ag | Method for preventing formation of dust during loading or unloading and transport of granulated fertilizer sulfates. |
| US5683619A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1997-11-04 | Ossian, Inc. | De-icing composition and method for making same |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20040827 |