MgCl on highways
MgCl on highways
(OP)
Has anyone looked at the spray distance of MgCl salt in relation the highway speeds?
Or is the problem more related to locations with lessor perciption?
Or is the problem more related to locations with lessor perciption?






RE: MgCl on highways
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RE: MgCl on highways
At issue is the pole fires that occur because of the tracking. If we had some idea how far to expect the salt to spray, then we would know what areas we need to change the insulators on.
RE: MgCl on highways
I must admit I had to use Wikipedia to understand what you were talking about, here is the Wiki info I found:
A number of state highway departments throughout the United States have decreased the use of rock salt and sand on roadways and have increased the use of solutions of magnesium chloride (often called "liquid magnesium chloride") as a de-icer or anti-icer. Magnesium chloride is much less toxic to plant life surrounding highways and airports, and is less corrosive to concrete and steel (and other iron alloys) than sodium chloride. The liquid magnesium chloride is sprayed on dry pavement (tarmac) prior to precipitation or wet pavement prior to freezing temperatures in the winter months to prevent snow and ice from adhering and bonding to the roadway. The application of anti-icers is utilized in an effort to improve highway safety. Magnesium chloride is also sold in crystal form for household and business use to de-ice sidewalks and driveways. In these applications, the compound is applied after precipitation has fallen or ice has formed, instead of previously.
The use of this compound seems to show an improvement in driving conditions during and after freezing precipitation, but it can damage electric utilities. This occurs in two ways: contamination of insulators, causing tracking and arcing across them, and corrosion of steel and aluminium poles and pole hardware.
RE: MgCl on highways
The problem is at times with a lack or percipitation, the insulators don't wash off.
And it hard to believe that on this forum, so few people know anything about the problems.
The question is simple, has anyone else found something we haven't?