Liquid De-Icer: An Easy Way to Melt Snow

Heavy snowfall and snowstorms is a common problem during the winters in most of North America and other parts of the world such as Northern Europe or Asia. The cold weather freezes moisture onto the wings of aircraft, inside of coal carrying rail cars, conveyor belts and on aircraft runways, roads, streets and highways. A quick and effective way to get around the problem is to use anti-icers and de-icers.

Though products such as rock salts were used traditionally, they are now being replaced with liquid de-icers. These products are generally made of Potassium Acetate, Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol with added corrosion inhibitors. Some countries around the world have used them for years to deal with ice in the aviation industry, mining and industrial markets.

These liquids are regularly used for airplane and runway de-icing. The primary reason why these liquid de-icers are so popular is because they act quickly. De-icing liquids are categorized into four different classes:

• Type I liquids have a low viscosity quotient and thus, are not as thick as the others. This, in turn, means they provide short-term protection against snow since they flow off the surface more quickly than the other types. These liquids are considered as de-icers as they are heated and then sprayed at a high pressure on the surface to remove the ice. Since they flow off quickly, they are not very effective as anti-icers. In most cases, these liquids are sprayed on first followed by the other classes. Type I liquids are dyed orange for easier identification.

• Type II liquids contain a polymer-based thickening agent that allows them to stay longer on the surface and thus, provide extended protection. These liquids are considered as anti-icers. They work better with larger aircraft, as these planes can reach the higher speeds necessary for breakdown of the viscosity in the liquid. They are dyed light yellow for ease of identification.

• Type III fluids have properties that lie somewhere between Type I and Type II. They contain a thickening agent and act as anti-icers. These liquids are best for slower aircrafts. They are also dyed light yellow in color.

• Type IV liquids are same as the Type II liquids but they last longer than any of the other types. They also act as anti-icers. They are dyed green for easier identification.

Liquid de-icers and anti-icers provide certain benefits:

• De-icers like calcium and magnesium chloride are environmentally friendly.

• Generate less corrosion than any other de-icing method.

• They can be used for both anti-icing and de-icing measures.

Nowadays, enhanced de-icers and brine de-icers are also used for deicing:

• Enhanced De-icers: Thesede-icers include a pre-wet sodium chloride made from a special magnesium chloride formula. It includes an approved corrosion inhibitor and a leaching inhibitor. This de-icer is an excellent alternative to traditional rock salt.

• Brine De-icers: These are salted in a liquid form made using calcium and magnesium chloride. These liquids have extended usage features and are also environmentally friendly.

About the Company:

Novamen Inc. is a privately held company and was started in 2010. With over 30 years of combined knowledge and experience in these markets, the founders are building the company with the intention of offering products and services to industrial clients that go beyond those of traditional chemical companies. Operating in Alberta, Novamen Inc. focus is primarily to industrial, oil, natural gas and mining industries throughout Canada. Visit Novamen Inc. to learn more about the chemical solutions you need that are more accessible, efficient, and cost effective than ever.

Novamen Inc. is a privately held company and was started in 2010. With over 30 years of combined knowledge and experience in these markets. Visit http://novamen.ca/