Study on Stage Characteristics and Multi-Factor Optimization Regulation of Performance of Ice Thawing Agent in Low Temperature Environment
Abstract
De-icing agents play a crucial role in winter road maintenance, yet their excessive application can result in pavement deterioration and environmental issues. Existing dosage guidelines lack comprehensive data on the dynamic response of de-icing agents under low-temperature conditions, particularly regarding stage-specific characteristics and multi-factor interactions. This research systematically evaluated the effectiveness of four de-icing agents (NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, CH3COOK) within a temperature range of −5 °C to −25 °C, elucidating the two-phase ice-melting process (solid-phase followed by salt solution de-icing) with distinct kinetic mechanisms—a previously underexplored temporal pattern. The study quantified the differential impacts of particle size (small-particle CaCl2 exhibiting 12% higher efficiency than sheet-like forms), dosage linear correlation, and negligible effects of ice layer thickness and road surface composition, which have not been systematically validated in prior studies. Temperature sensitivity was further refined: NaCl showed a 42.4% efficiency drop between −5 °C and −25 °C, while MgCl2 maintained stable performance, supporting its potential as an environmentally sustainable alternative. This work provides a quantitative basis for dynamic dosage regulation by integrating stage characteristics and multi-factor optimization, addressing gaps in existing guidelines.
