It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum
Topics => Science, Technology, & Medicine => Topic started by: Pandora on November 20, 2013, 04:37:57 PM
-
As Wisconsin drivers contend with this winter's storms, they can thank mozzarella and provolone for keeping them on the road. (http://modernfarmer.com/2013/11/wisconsins-weapon-highway-safety-cheese-brine/?utm_source=feedly)
In a recent report, the Milwaukee Department of Public Works noted cheese brine’s “distinctive odor.” Norby says this scent is tough to describe, but likens it to the smell of whey (not exactly a ringing endorsement). Still, he manages some cheesehead pride: “I don’t really mind it. Our roads smell like Wisconsin!”
The odor stems from organic matter, little bits of cheese flotsam left from the brining process. It’s these bits that make brine so effective as a road de-icer. Regular salt brine has a freezing point of 6 below zero, but cheese brine doesn’t freeze up until 21 below.
It also keeps rock salt from bouncing off the road. In a process called pre-wetting, the salt is coated in brine before hitting the highway. Norby says up to 30 percent of dry salt can bounce off the road; after a good brining, that figure is next to zero.
-
Still, he manages some cheesehead pride: “I don’t really mind it. Our roads smell like Wisconsin!”
As opposed to "Our roads smell like Chicago!"
-
Still, he manages some cheesehead pride: “I don’t really mind it. Our roads smell like Wisconsin!”
As opposed to "Our roads smell like Chicago!"
::laughonfloor::
-
It works OK, unless they use brine from Swiss cheese. Then there are holes in it.
-
It works OK, unless they use brine from Swiss cheese. Then there are holes in it.
Lord I love me a groaner! Nice one OC.
-
Hey, who cut the...
-
It works OK, unless they use brine from Swiss cheese. Then there are holes in it.
Lord I love me a groaner! Nice one OC.
At first you hate 'em, but they begin to groan on you! ::laughonfloor::
-
Now if they could just find something that doesn't rust the hell out of your car. Airports use some polymer deicing solution on runways, it doesn't freeze until -60 F. Of course, it's also ridiculously expensive.