DOI

10.5703/1288284313253

Abstract

This INDOT-JTRP project examined an innovative strategy for mitigating, and possibly obviating, the environmental impact of wintertime salt release within INDOT yard areas specifically associated with the generation and release of salt truck wash waters, whereby these waste streams may be beneficially reused in the manufacture of salt brine solutions suitable for subsequent pre-wetting and anti-icing applications. The associated environmental problem stems from the fact that these wash waters carry high-level (e.g., from 100’s of mg/L to percentile-level) salt concentrations whose uncontrolled release via local surface or ground waters will have to be discontinued pursuant to the onset of tightened environmental regulations. Specifically, current Indiana Water Quality Standards restrict total dissolved solids in natural waters to 750 mg/L. Reusing these salt-laden truck wash waters will, therefore, not only resolve, either in part or wholly, this environmental problem but will also save material cost in preparation of valuable salt brine solutions. Six (6) key aspects were identified for this proposed activity, including: 1) wash water collection, 2) wash water pretreatment, 3) temporary wash water storage, 4) brine manufacturing hardware and operational details, 5) product brine storage, and 6) brine application procedures and timing. The first five of these aspects are addressed within this report; relevant details regarding the sixth item (brine application, etc.) are given in the “Manual of Practice for an Effective Anti-Icing Program: A Guide For Highway Winter Maintenance Personnel,” published by the Federal Highway Administration (i.e., as referenced in this report). Lastly, a condensed, Web-based s ynopsis of this project is available at the following URL: http://rebar.ecn.purdue.edu/Salt-Wash-Reuse/

Report Number

FHWA/IN/JTRP-2001/27

Keywords

environmental, salt brine, waste, wastewater, disposal, SPR-2379

SPR Number

2379

Project Number

C-3636EE

File Number

6-14-31

Performing Organization

Joint Transportation Research Program

Publisher Place

West Lafayette, IN

Date of this Version

2004

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