Weather > General Weather Discussion
Welcome to Summer 2018!
elagache:
Dear Blick, Stu, and WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,
--- Quote from: Blicj11 on June 23, 2018, 11:14:31 PM ---Are they edible?
--- End quote ---
Yes they are! They are simply another variety of plum tree.
--- Quote from: Blicj11 on June 23, 2018, 11:14:31 PM ---I can tell that summer has arrived here on the mountain because I can almost keep my windows open at night without having to wear a parka around the house in the evening.
--- End quote ---
You definitely have an advantage in the mountains when it comes to avoiding the heat. Yesterday was the hottest day thus far this year at 97.3˚F (36.3˚ C.) For the moment we are having 3 day heat waves, but that's already too much from the plants and me! [sweat2]
--- Quote from: WCDev on June 23, 2018, 11:17:51 PM ---Great pictures Edouard [tup]
--- End quote ---
Thanks Stu!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
Blicj11:
The best sign that summer has arrived here in the mountains is the tanker truck that sprays magnesium chloride on the road, which application does a magnificent job of holding down the dust from passing vehicles and hardening up the road surface. He came this morning, so, yup, it's summer. I might even take down the Christmas lights, but probably won't. Yes, I'm that guy.
elagache:
Dear Blick and WeatherCat observers of the seasons turning,
--- Quote from: Blicj11 on June 28, 2018, 02:29:01 AM ---The best sign that summer has arrived here in the mountains is the tanker truck that sprays magnesium chloride on the road, which application does a magnificent job of holding down the dust from passing vehicles and hardening up the road surface. He came this morning, so, yup, it's summer.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for sharing. I never heard of using magnesium chloride to reduce dust on dirt roads. Here is the Wikipedia article about that compound:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_chloride
It is mentioned as a product to reduce dust and erosion, but doesn't explain the mechanism.
--- Quote from: Blicj11 on June 28, 2018, 02:29:01 AM ---I might even take down the Christmas lights, but probably won't. Yes, I'm that guy.
--- End quote ---
;) . . . . But how could you? If you did that then you wouldn't be prepared for "Christmas in July!" . . . . [rolleyes2]
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
Blicj11:
--- Quote from: elagache on June 28, 2018, 11:48:07 PM ---Thanks for sharing. I never heard of using magnesium chloride to reduce dust on dirt roads. Here is the Wikipedia article about that compound:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_chloride
It is mentioned as a product to reduce dust and erosion, but doesn't explain the mechanism.
--- End quote ---
Magnesium Chloride is hygroscopic. This means the mixture applied to the road for dust control bonds with the moisture in the dust and dirt on the road. They first rough up the road with a grader, then they apply water. Then the next day they spray magnesium chloride, wait about 3 hours and apply it a second time. The next morning they run a huge vibrating roller over the road to compress the surface. The road hardens up and dust is suppressed. This is the fourth year they have used it here and each year, the road gets a little harder. In many places, it is "rock hard." It costs about US$2000 (approximately ?1,720) per truck load. The ten property owners on this part of the mountain each pay US$200 per year. Absolutely worth it!
elagache:
Dear Blick and WeatherCat amateur scientists,
--- Quote from: Blicj11 on June 29, 2018, 03:44:16 AM ---Magnesium Chloride is hygroscopic. This means the mixture applied to the road for dust control bonds with the moisture in the dust and dirt on the road.
. . . .
--- End quote ---
Okay, so I'm guessing that the Magnesium Chloride is effectively an adhesive and the water molecules are the structures that are being kept together. Since there is always some humidity in soil, it is that humidity that is being used to secure the soil and keep it from blowing away.
A very clever solution indeed! Thanks for sharing the explanation! :)
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version