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The Science of Salt

Salt melting snow

What is “salt”, and how does it work?

There are a lot of misconceptions in the Snow & Ice industry about salt, salt use and the “Science of Salt” itself, which can often lead to its misuse or misapplication.

Snow & Ice Industry 

The type of salt used in the snow & ice industry is commonly known as rock salt, which is a naturally occurring mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl). This crystalline form of NaCl is mined from underground salt beds, the result of dried up enclosed lakes or inland seas.

Chemical Reactions

We all know that salt is used to melt snow and ice, but this, technically is not exactly true. The solid granules (or crystals) of rock salt do not actually effect the melting process. Salt is a hydroscopic material, which means that it will attract water and heat from its environment. That is why your leather shoes get “dried out” and wrinkled when covered with salt.
worker throwing salt onto road
This type of reaction is known as an Endothermic Reaction, which is a chemical reaction that absorbs heat. Salt absorbs heat, but in doing so reduces its effective operating temperature.
A chemical reaction that gives off heat is called an Exothermic Reaction. Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2) or Calcium Chloride (CaCl) gives off heat when used, making them less reliant on air temperature and thus able to work at a lower range. Their costs, however, are significantly higher as well.
Walkways with salt on it

How does “salt” melt snow and ice?

Salt actually works by forming a brine solution and reducing the Freeze Point of water. This happens in the following way:

  • The rock salt crystals attract water from the surrounding snow, ice, freezing rain or meltwater
  • The salt slowly dissolves and forms a “brine” solution which breaks the bond between the snow or ice and the pavement
  • The brine also lowers the freeze point of water from 0ºC to about -9ºC, which is the “effective working temperature” of salt
  • This results in the snow & ice returning to liquid form, or “melting” (in low accumulations) or allowing the plow to clear the snow more effectively for deeper amounts
  • Eventually, the salt crystals in “solution” will dissolve and no longer be effective
  • Untreated salt is not very effective below this temperature (-9ºC)
  • A salt brine solution of 23.3% is the most effective formulation and will work to -21ºC in laboratory conditions, but not in the “real” world
  • Treating salt with organic-based chlorides (MgCl2 or CaCl) can reduce the effective working temperature of salt to as low as -30ºC

What effects the efficiency of “salt”?

In non-laboratory conditions, certain factors can have a large influence on salt’s effectiveness.
Ground temperature for instance, air temperature,  the type of “pavement” , and water content of the snow can all effect the efficiency of rock salt. Even exposure to direct sunlight (thermal energy) or heat from underground parking lots can play a role. This is why having a number of options for treating snow & ice under various conditions is important for effective management of hazardous winter conditions.
– Ken Jorgenson

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