Road structure – process – or apparatus – Process
Patent
1993-04-19
1995-12-05
Arola, Dave W.
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Process
404 71, 404 75, 404111, E01C 1124
Patent
active
054722918
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a process for de-icing roadways in which a melting agent is applied to lower the freezing point, and, more particularly, to a process and system in which a run-off solution of water and the melting agent is recovered so that at least some of the melting agent may be reused.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In order to keep road surfaces of frequently travelled roads and particularly expressways free of ice or free them from ice and snow in winter, generally a melting agent is applied that consists of salt, which then lowers the freezing point of water, so that the ice will melt at relatively low temperatures. A disadvantage of this process is that it requires a relatively large amount of salt which is lost after application. This is not only costly but also damaging to the environment. The amount of melting agent used is particularly high for so-called whisper-asphalt due to the open pores of this type of road surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process for the de-icing of roadways that considerably reduces the usage of melting agent in order to not only lower costs but also noticeably limit environmental damage.
The aforementioned object, as well as others which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, is to provide a system and method for collecting and recirculating at least a portion of the melting agent contained in run-off leaving the roadway surface. In accordance with the present invention, at least a portion of the recirculated runoff is reused for roadway deicing purposes.
The melt water that has run-off and has been collected generally consists of a salt solution whose concentration allows it to be reused as a melting agent. This has the advantage of not only visibly reducing the amount of salt used but also achieving cost savings in men and materials for winter service.
It is advantageous that the solution run-off be tested for its concentration of melting agent. If the concentration of melting agent in the melted water is very low, the water can be diverted into a drainage receptacle 35, otherwise, if the concentration is adequate, it can be reused for de-icing.
In any event, it may be desirable to again test the concentration of melting agent in the collected run-off solution prior to spraying the same onto the road surface again so that adjustments, if necessary, may be made to achieve the desired concentration.
According to the invention, drainage channels provided along the roadway lead into at least one collector tank which is connected to the facilities for applying the melting agent.
Increasingly collector tanks for run-off are being planned and installed, particularly along expressways, in order to isolate the run-off in case of accidents. Accordingly the additional construction costs for the implementation of the system and method proposed by the invention are economically justifiable. It is sufficient to have one return line lead from the respective collector tank to the facilities for applying the melting agent, generally spray nozzles, by which the recycled melting agent (salt solution) is again sprayed onto the road surface.
The device can be implemented in such a manner that a switch is inserted in the direction of flow before the collection tank. This switch is connected to a first sensor that measures the concentration of the melting agent and diverts collected run-off solution into a drainage receptacle, such as a sewer or a dry well, should the concentration be too low, or the collector tank, should the concentration be adequate.
Taking the invention further, a second switch, connected to a second sensor for measuring the concentration of the melting agent, is inserted into the supply line which leads to the facilities for applying the melting agent. If the melt water has the desired concentration, this switch connects the supply line to the facilities for applying the melting agent, if the melt water deviates from the desired concentration, a feeder line
REFERENCES:
patent: 2845058 (1958-07-01), Wadsworth
patent: 2893377 (1959-07-01), Janousek
patent: 3456368 (1969-07-01), Jacques
patent: 3475056 (1969-10-01), Jones
patent: 4271617 (1981-06-01), Yoshizawa
Revue Generale des Chemins de Fer (1983) Jan., Paris France, p. 58 "A l'Etranger".
Arola Dave W.
Chop Andrea
CTS Consulting GmbH
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