FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to deicer compositions and, more particularly, to deicer compositions containing a chloride-based salt and a biopolymer composition.

BACKGROUND

Deicing is the process of removing snow, ice, or frost from surfaces such as roadways, walkways, and aircraft component surfaces. It is well known that chloride-based salts such as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride (rock salt) serve as deicers when applied to surfaces by lowering the freezing point of water. While varying in their effectiveness, such salts may present certain drawbacks such as corrosion and poor road/pavement bonding resulting in run-off to the environment. Consequently, there is a need for additives that reduce such drawbacks or otherwise enhance the deicing performance of chloride-based salts.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a deicer composition is disclosed. The deicer composition may comprise water, a metal chloride salt, and a biopolymer composition. The biopolymer composition may be derived from wheat straw, alfalfa, or other cereal grain straws, and may include inorganic material and a copolymer comprised of lignin and polysaccharides, the lignins being polydisperse and having an average molecular weight between 3500 and 5500 Daltons.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a deicer composition is disclosed. The deicer composition may comprise water, a metal chloride salt, and a sulfonated biopolymer composition obtained as a lignin/hemicellulose co-product from pulp processing of wheat straw, alfalfa, or other cereal grain straws. The biopolymer composition may include inorganic material and a copolymer comprised of lignin and polysaccharides.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of making a deicer composition is disclosed. The method may comprise obtaining a dilute lignin pulp liquor derived from wheat straw, alfalfa, or other cereal grain straws. The dilute liquor may include water, inorganic material, and a copolymer comprised of lignin and polysaccharides. The method may further comprise filtering the dilute liquor to remove undissolved fiber related solids and concentrating the dilute liquor to provide a biopolymer composition. In addition, the method may further comprise blending the biopolymer composition with a metal chloride salt to provide the deicer composition.

These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

