Deicing compositions and methods of use

Abstract

The invention provides a non-corrosive deicing composition containing a deicing component, a corrosion inhibitor and a protein solution having a pH adjusted to between about pH 5 and about pH 7. Optionally, the deicing composition contains a corrosion inhibitor as well. The invention also provides a method of removing snow and ice from a road surface by applying these deicing compositions to the ice or snow.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 384,177, filed Mar. 6, 2003, which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention lies in the field of deicing compositions suitable for making surfaces free of snow and ice and to methods of using these compositions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Most northern cities incur considerable yearly expense in the removal of snow and ice from streets and other outdoor surfaces to meet the winter time needs of business, industry, and the public in general. Reliance on mechanical means of snow or ice removal alone, however, is insufficient, necessitating the use of deicing salts. Rock salt or sodium chloride is the most common chemical used for deicing, primarily because of its low cost, ease of transportation, and readily dispersible form. [0004] The cost of the prior art deicing salts, including sodium chloride, calcium c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The composition effectively melts snow and ice while minimizing metal corrosion and improving handling and stability, allowing for even application and distribution, reducing the need for additional corrosion inhibitors and minimizing environmental impact.

Problems solved by technology

Most northern cities incur considerable yearly expense in the removal of snow and ice from streets and other outdoor surfaces to meet the winter time needs of business, industry, and the public in general.

Reliance on mechanical means of snow or ice removal alone, however, is insufficient, necessitating the use of deicing salts.

The cost of the prior art deicing salts, including sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or rock salt, are deceptively low given the unassumed cost of corrosion to metal guardrails, bridge supports, metal concrete reinforcing rods and automobiles.

As such, these chemicals ultimately cost the consuming public far more in corrosion damage than the initial material cost would indicate.

While these chemicals reduce corrosion, they are more expensive, difficult to apply and carry hidden costs in the form of environmental pollution and toxic properties.

Unfortunately, the addition of proteins to deicing solutions causes many problems with handling and stability characteristics of the solutions.

Typically, the protein sources are difficult, if not impossible to get fully mixed with the other components of the deicing compositions.

If the proteins do not come completely out of solution to form a precipitate or flocculate, they still often form gels that cause gelling of the deicing composition and impair the ability to evenly apply and distribute the deicing compositions.