Ice melt and traction enhancement compositions, and related methods
Provided herein are various ice melt compositions, processes, and systems that utilize a porous silica amalgamate composition to provide an environmentally friendly ice melt and freezing point depression composition when in contact with ice and/or snow. In addition, the porous silica amalgamate composition provides traction enhancement on slippery surfaces. In embodiments, the porous silica amalgamate can reabsorb active ingredient(s) during the liquid drying phase to provide potential secondary and tertiary uses. Further disclosed herein are methods of using and making the treatment compositions.
1 . A treatment composition comprising:
a porous silica amalgamate substrate having a honeycomb structure, wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate has a density of between about 10 lb./ft 3 and about 40 lb./ft 3 ; and
none to at least one active ingredient suspended within the honeycomb structure.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate structure comprises an open cell structure, a closed cell structure, or a combination thereof.
3 . The composition of 1 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate is formed from recycled glass.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate comprises silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) in an amount of from about 40 wt-% to about 85 wt-%.
5 . The composition of claim 4 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate further comprises sodium oxide (Na 2 O), lime (CaO), or a combination thereof, in an amount of from about 0 wt-% to about 25 wt-%.
6 . The composition of claim 4 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate further comprises at least one of aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), magnesium oxide (MgO), boric oxide (B 2 O 3 ), sodium oxide (Na 2 O), barium oxide (BaO), or silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ).
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate has a surface area of at least about 500 m 2 /m 3 .
8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), hydrochloric acid (HCl), calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ), and organic compounds.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one active ingredient is further found on a surface of the porous silica amalgamate substrate.
10 . A method of lowering the freezing point of ice and/or snow comprising:
applying the treatment composition according to claim 1 to a surface covered in ice and/or snow; and
lowering the freezing point of the ice and/or snow to melt the ice and/or snow.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the method melts the ice and/or snow at a temperature below about −60° F.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the surface is a sidewalk, a driveway, a road, a parking lot, or a combination thereof.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the applying step to the surface covered in ice and/or snow releases the at least one active ingredient onto the surface.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising a step of recharging the composition for a subsequent application of use.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising a step of crushing the composition to form particulates and increasing the coefficient of friction of the surface.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of crushing the composition is by a footstep, by a tire of an automobile, or a combination thereof.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate is used with an existing ice melt composition.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising a step of recharging the composition for a subsequent application of use.
19 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising a step of crushing the composition to form particulates and increasing the coefficient of friction of the surface.
20 . A method of making a treatment composition comprising:
obtaining a porous silica amalgamate substrate comprising a honeycomb structure, and wherein the porous silica amalgamate substrate has a density of between about 10 lb./ft 3 and about 40 lb./ft 3 ; and
impregnating the porous silica amalgamate substrate with at least one active ingredient.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the porous silica amalgamate has a surface area of at least about 500 m 2 /m 3 to about 60,000 m 2 /m 3 .
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), hydrochloric acid (HCl), calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) and organic compounds.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one active ingredient is further added to a surface of the porous silica amalgamate substrate.