Section 4: Pre-wetted Solid Chemical Application Capability
Anchor: #i1000912Benefits of Pre-Wetting Solid Chemicals
The pre-wetting of a solid chemical prior to spreading can improve the effectiveness of the solid chemical in many situations. A solid chemical requires energy to go into solution, and a dry solid chemical particle will remain inert until a liquid film forms. The solution process will be accelerated if pre-wetting is performed to the solid material. This is only one of the benefits of pre-wetting. Other advantages include:
- Anchor: #MARGLBHX
- the solid chemical is spread more uniformly because of less waste from bouncing or traffic action (although not all waste is eliminated) Anchor: #WPIFKMNC
- wet granules adhere to the road surface better than dry granules Anchor: #JVAVEIGI
- there is a quicker and longer-lasting effect Anchor: #FAGCUQYK
- spreading speed can be increased.
The practical result is a reduction in the resources necessary for maintaining the highway since a lower application rate translates into a spreader load covering more area, often requiring less deadheading (returning to the barn empty) to obtain material.
Figure 2-2. A saddle tank is a useful means of pre-wetting solid chemicals.