Development of Corrosion-Inhibiting Dust Control Systems

Dust is a serious corrosion issue not only because it obstructs air flow in engines but it also is very abrasive to engine parts and exposed parts of ground vehicles and aircraft.  One of the most successful methods for controlling dust, especially that stirred up in trafficked areas, include humectants that keep the soil damp.  Unfortunately, the best known and most often used soil humectants are inorganic salts such as magnesium and calcium chlorides.  The inorganic chlorides accelerate corrosion in vehicles and aircraft, pollute the surrounding environment and groundwater, and kill vegetation.

Because of the problems associated with chloride-based humectants, research has begun on development of dust control systems that are based on organic humectants.  Many of these compounds are presently used in skin care products and food additives, and are considered safe to handle and environmentally acceptable.  Screening suggests that while some of the organic humectants such as glycol can be corrosive, others such as the aldonic acids are rust inhibitors.  The aldonic acids are produced by oxidizing sugars.  Starting compounds such as lactose and maltose are available and in some cases, they are waste products.  Recent advances in catalysts for sugar oxidation promise to make production of aldonic acids fast, efficient and economical.  Work is continuing on establishing a suite of suitable humectants from this interesting family of compounds.