Database Research Summaries2018 Road Performance Testing and Promotion of Soy-Based Dust Control
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to monitor the dust control performance for the summer, fall and winter of 2017-18 and measure the “fines retention” behavior of the treatment.
Objectives
- Monitor the dust control performance throughout the summer, fall and winter.
- Measure the aggregate loss (loss-of-fines) for treated and untreated sections of road.
- Communicate our results at trade shows and conferences.
- Promote the technology to state and local DoT personnel.
- Visit with potential material suppliers and manufacturers.
Results
- Researchers monitored the performance of both soy-based dust control agents and calcium chloride for one full year at the gravel road test site in Cass County, ND. The data was collected with a vehicle mounted dust meter showed that the soy product was as good as the calcium chloride initially, but as time went on, the calcium chloride performance began to decline. By the end of the summer, the dust levels on the calcium chloride section were comparable to the untreated section of roadbed prior to treatment. Fortunately, the performance of the soy product remained exceptional over the summer and its effectiveness carried over into the following spring.
- Researchers were unable to measure the loss of fines so far this year as the interaction of the soy product with the ground up asphalt present in the roadbed created a tight, solid surface that immobilized the fine particles making the measurement impossible.
- Researchers were able to promote the technology by attending conferences, writing proposals, and through a marketing survey of people in the industry. These efforts paid off with two new proposals funded and an increased awareness of the product.
Importance
- The successful development of a dust control product derived from biodiesel waste and soybean oil will create a value added product stream for soybean farmers as well as a new market for the biodiesel industry.
- ND farmers will also have a non-corrosive, locally produced dust control agent to apply to roads near their property.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
