RASCO INNOVATION – SPREADERS WITH NEW SLURRY TECHNOLOGY

A wide range of spreaders for all types of vehicles is available in the RASCO product portfolio. From trucks to multifunctional vehicles, tractors and work machines. The spreading technologies are adapted to the specific market, weather and climate conditions.

TRENDS IN ROADS SPREADING TECHNOLOGIES

Three basic types of spreading technologies:

• dry spreading – spreding with salt, grit or sand
• pre-wet spreading – salt (NaCl, also MgCl2) or urea is moistened before spreading in order to achieve better adhesion to the surface
• liquid spreading ( Direct Liquid Application -DLA) – urea solutions or sodium, calcium or magnesium chloride solutions are most commonly used; liquid spreading provide the most efficient spreading compared to the other two types due to the greater efficiency of the spreading material used, better adhesion to the road, higher spreading speed, etc.

With climate change, adaptation of spreading technologies is also required. This primarily involves adapting to new weather conditions in different geographic areas (e.g., less snow or shorter periods of heavy snowfall). It is also about reducing the negative impact on the environment. Primarily by improving the adhesion of the spreading material to the surface or optimising the spreading pattern (with the lowest possible losses). All this leads to lower salt consumption, which ultimately reduces costs.

RASCO SPREADERS WITH NEW SLURRY TECHNOLOGY

RASCO spreaders have always been developed taking into account the numerous differences in spreading technology and climatic conditions faced by winter maintenance companies around the world. RASCO also develops special purpose spreaders to adapt to the specific needs of customers in demanding markets.

Accordingly, RASCO has recently started offering spreaders with the so-called slurry technology. To create the slurry, coarse salt from the dry spreading tank is mixed with water from the liquid agent tank. The mixing process takes place in a high-speed mixer integrated into the spreader’s exit chute. It provides a higher residual salinity than other known de-icing methods and better adhesion to the road surface. Since it is a combination of dry (coarse salt) and liquid (water) spreading, slurry can be classified as a type of pre-wet spreading.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF SLURRY SPREADING

The main difference between slurry and other pre-wet spreading methods is that the liquid tank of the spreader contains only water. This means that no additional investment in brine preparation equipment is required.

Compared to the standard pre-wet spreading method, slurry is a better homogenized mixture that adheres better to the surface, which means that spreading is done with less loss of spreading material. In addition, slurry has a higher residual salinity. This also results in savings in salt consumption (for example, with the same spreader configuration and spreading parameters, the salt savings when using slurry can be up to 8.6% lower than with classic F-30 pre-wet spreading). All this leads to savings in the budget for the purchase of salt and makes slurry technology more environmentally friendly.

WHEN TO USE SLURRY

Depending on the climate zone, a significant part of the spreading interventions carried out with pre-wet or liquid spreading can be replaced by the application of slurry. In the Central European climate zone, for example, this is possible in up to 80% of cases.

The technology is effective at all road temperatures, even on frozen roads or roads with a larger amount of ice. However, due to the clean water in the tanks, slurry is not recommended when the air temperature drops below -3 °C (then it is better to use a salt solution instead of water).

COMPLETE SOLUTIONS FOR WINTER MAINTENANCE

RASCO’s extensive knowledge and experience gained in global markets is an advantage for all our customers. We are always ready to develop the optimal solution for winter maintenance equipment, regardless of specific requirements. Contact us with confidence.