Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is a chemical compound used as an alternative to salt for anti-icing. It melts ice at lower temperatures than salt and has a residual effect. CMA is less corrosive and harmful to the environment, but more expensive and can clog equipment. It is also used in desulfurization processes.
Calcium magnesium acetate, or CMA as it is sometimes known, is a chemical compound obtained by combining dolomitic lime with acetic acid. At room temperature, it is a gray to white granular powder, but can be made into pellets or flakes. It is mainly used, as an alternative to salt, as an anti-icing compound but has other uses as well, especially in the manufacturing industry.
This chemical is widely used as an additive to road salt or as an alternative de-icer. It has several favorable characteristics which have made its use for this purpose increasingly widespread in many areas of the world. It will melt ice at a lower temperature than standard road salt and has been proven effective in preventing ice formation down to about -17.5 degrees F (about -27.5 degrees C). Standard road salt is only effective up to about 27 degrees F (-2 degrees C). Calcium Magnesium Acetate works better for preventing ice formation, however, than for reducing existing ice.
Its cold weather performance is just one of the reasons why, in 2011, calcium magnesium acetate is becoming a preferred road de-icer. It also has a slight residual effect as it provides continuous protection against ice, requiring less frequent applications after the first treatment. It is much less corrosive than salt, even when dissolved in water, and is considered to be as corrosive as tap water. CMA is biodegradable, has low toxicity compared to road salt, and has been shown in several studies to be less harmful to plants and animals. When added to salt, relatively small amounts can improve defrost qualities compared to salt alone.
CMA has drawbacks. It is more expensive than salt and is actually less effective than standard salt under certain conditions. It also tends to foul and clog diffusion equipment. Studies have shown, however, that while it is more expensive than road salt by weight, it is generally more effective than road salt. The savings realized from reduced wear and corrosion on roads, vehicles and equipment, as well as reduced environmental impact, more than offset the increased costs.
The other primary use of Calcium Magnesium Acetate is in the removal of hydrogen sulfide. It is very effective in capturing this harmful gas at high temperatures. The process involves a series of chemical reactions and causes the hydrogen sulphide to break down into calcium sulphate, an inert compound which can be disposed of. Desulfurization, as this process is known, is used in many industries but is particularly important for reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants.
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