Evaluation of Disodium Succinate Hexahydrate as an Alternative Deicer

The goal of this study is to identify a chemical substance that will be suitable for use as a deicer alternative to sodium chloride (NaCl), with a specific focus on disodium succinate hexahydrate (DSH). The performance of DSH as a deicer was evaluated through a series of laboratory and field tests to determine if DSH meet transportation agencies’ requirements. Freezing point, metal corrosion, ice melting performance, toxic constituents, and damage to plants were tested in the laboratory, and field tests were conducted to evaluate the deicing and anti-icing performance of DSH. DSH was found to cause almost no corrosion to mild steel and to foster the growth of the test plants when a small amount of DSH was applied to the soil. Considering DSH’s freezing point and material cost, application of the mixture of NaCl and DSH is considered to be a solution. A mixture of 80% NaCl and 20% DSH shows a freezing point close to that of NaCl, is 80% less corrosive to mild steel than NaCl is, and mitigates the concentration of chloride ions and the inhibitory effects of NaCl on plants. The results of the field tests suggest the possibility that the application of the NaCl/DSH mixture exhibits anti-icing and deicing performance comparable to that of conventional NaCl application. Considering DSH’s solubility in water and utilization of existing facilities and equipment, it is recommended that DSH be used in liquid form as a pre-wetting agent or a liquid deicer.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHD65 Standing Committee on Winter Maintenance.
• Authors:
  • Takahashi, Naoto
  • Sato, Kenji
  • Tokunaga, Roberto A
  • Nakajima, Noriyuki
  • Yamanaka, Shigeyasu
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 17p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrosion; Deicing chemicals; Evaluation; Roads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Disodium succinate hexahydrate
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01662720
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-01002
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 16 2018 9:51AM