What is the difference between 26% calcium chloride and 30%, 35%, 38%?

The percent chloride represents the percent by weight of chlorides in the water solution. Thus, 26% has less chloride than 35% which has less than 38% solutions. The higher concentrations are manufactured through a costly evaporation process. Based on third-party scientific studies, 26% mineral well brine is more cost effective at dust control by a factor of 2 to 4 times compared to higher chloride solutions. (See document link (to PDF file) found below for a white paper on the differences in calcium chloride percentages.)

Are there risks with the use of oil well brine?

YES! The dust palliative concentration of oil well brine varies a great amount but is typically less than 10%. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will not allow brines with less than 5% calcium chloride to be spread on roadways within the state. Oil well brine may also contain carcinogens, cancer causing chemicals, and has been known to contain high sodium chloride content, which has contaminated drinking water supplies.

When is it best to apply liquid calcium chloride?

After or during a rain. As long as there are not large water puddles, applications made when moisture is available in the road bed will be effective the longest.

During sustained periods of dryness, limestone roads become vary hard and cannot be graded. In these circumstances, county road commissions ask us to spread mineral well brine and then grade the road. Following the grading, we put in place another application of our mineral well brine to best "bind" the road.

What is the importance of application rate?

Very! We recommend a minimum of our six ton sprocket rate applying 1,000 gallons per mile per 8 foot pass and 2,000 gallons per mile for 16 to 18 feet wide passes. Spot application is typically not effective. A 10 foot pass in the center of the roadway is the most effective if only one pass is requested.

Click here for the Calcium Chloride Percentage White Paper