Process and device for de-icing roadways
AssigneeCTS Consulting GmbH
InventorOtto Vogel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for de-icing roadways to which is applied a melting agent to lower the freezing point. In order to save melting agent (salt), the melt water running off the roadway is collected and re-used for de-icing purposes provided that its melting agent content is adequate. To implement the process, use is made of a device for de-icing roadways including, along the length of the roadway, components such as spray nozzles (34) to apply the melting agent and run-off channels (16) to divert the water into a drainage channel (18) connected to a collector channel in its cycle. According to the invention, the run-off channels (16) lead into at least one collector tank (20) which returns the adequately concentrated melt water to the spray nozzles (34) via a supply line (26).
Claims17
A process for de-icing a roadway surface comprising the steps of:
- applying a melting agent to the roadway surface in an amount effective to lower the freezing point of water to produce a run-off mixture containing water and said melting agent;
- collecting at least a portion of the run-off mixture;
- re-applying at least a portion of the run-off mixture collected during said collecting step to the roadway surface, thereby reusing a portion of the melting agent applied during said applying step;
- and
- detecting the concentration of melting agent in the run-off mixture prior to said re-applying step.
An apparatus for de-icing a roadway surface having means for applying to the roadway surface an amount of melting agent effective to lower the melting point of water thereon, and at least one run-off channel disposed along the roadway for receiving a run-off mixture containing water and the melting agent, said apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting a concentration of the melting agent in the run-off mixture;
- and
- collecting means connectable in fluid communication with the applying means for receiving the run-off mixture from the at least one run-off channel and supplying at least a portion of the run-off mixture to the applying means when the concentration of the melting agent therein is at least equal to a predetermined level, whereby said at least a portion of the run-off mixture is recycled for de-icing of the roadway surface.
An apparatus for de-icing a roadway surface, comprising:
- applying means for applying to said roadway surface an amount of melting agent effective to lower the melting point of water thereon;
- drain means disposed proximate said roadway surface for receiving a run-off mixture containing water and the melting agent:
- detecting means for detecting a concentration of the melting agent in the run-off mixture;
- and
- collecting means connectable in fluid communication with the applying means and drain means for receiving the run-off mixture from said drain means and for supplying at least a portion of received run-off mixture to the applying means when a concentration of melting agent detected therein is at least equal to a predetermined level, whereby at least some of the run-off mixture is recycled for de-icing of the roadway surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.