Technical Bulletins > NAAC

9/20/02 - Material Information Anhydrous Sodium Acetate Deicers

Customers frequently ask questions about solid deicers with regard to storage, handling, and application equipment. There are technical differences between sodium acetate deicers from various producers, usually in the formulation - anhydrous vs. trihydrate. Therefore, some differences in material issues are expected. The following information applies to Cryotech NAAC®, which is 97% anhydrous sodium acetate.

PRODUCT HANDLING
Sodium acetate pellets have a natural tendency to loosely stick to one another during storage. This creates the potential for "clumping". If the bag feels hard to the touch, loosen the product by dropping the bag a short distance onto the floor 2-3 times.

STORAGE
NAAC works fast because it quickly absorbs water. Therefore, there are important storage considerations. Packaged product should be kept indoors, in its original packaging until use. Bulk product should be stored indoors, kept in a pile with swept-neat edges, and covered with plastic to prevent caking.

EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
When temperatures are above freezing, acetates biodegrade naturally when exposed to air. By-products of this process can result in unsightly biological growth and superficial staining/corrosion.By-products of this activity can result in unsightly biological growth and superficial staining/corrosion. Therefore, the exterior of application equipment should be rinsed routinely with warm water. As the deicer season winds down, product remaining in spreaders should be removed to a stockpile and equipment should be cleaned with hot, soapy water.

AVOID PROBLEMS
Do not store loaded spreading equipment outside in the weather.
If overhandling causes dust, wear a paper dust mask and goggles.
Wear rubber gloves when handling NAAC.