Winter maintenance of pavement surfaces consists of plowing and the application of corrosive deicing agents. These chemicals are hazardous to the environment, and thus their use should be minimal. More than 20 years ago, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) investigated the use of 2.1 MPa (300 psi) pressurized salt brine jets to enhance deicing performance. Despite promising results from several field trials, technical difficulties led to abandonment of this technology in the early 1980s. Recent advances in high-pressure jetting technology suggest that the use of high-pressure jets in conjunction with improved chemical agents for pavement deicing may now be practical. In this study, the application of modern high-pressure jetting technology to deice pavement is explored. The proposed system removes ice and snow through the combined action of mechanical jetting forces and controlled use of deicing chemicals. Appropriate operating parameters and consumption rates are identified and compared with the ConnDOT system developed in the 1970s.
Samenvatting