Fines preservation eliminates harmful dust emissions and reduces maintenance costs on gravel roads and runways.
Airborne dust is a big issue for a wide variety of surfaces, but it’s particularly problematic on unpaved roads and runways. The loss of tiny particles from these surfaces — called fines — through traffic or weather can cause roads and runways to degrade and become unstable and dangerous. Worse, the excess dust that results from a loss of fines can pose health risks to those making use of a road or runway and have the potential to negatively impact surrounding ecosystems and communities as well.
What Is Fines Preservation?
The most effective way to combat the emission of loose dust particles is through a fines preservation program specifically designed to bind fines to your road or runway surface. An effective program accomplishes this through the application of solutions that chemically enhance the ability of fines and particulates to bind to one another more easily. More cohesive fines are less likely to become airborne, eroding the roadway and creating safety hazards.
The process of fines preservation strengthens the structural integrity of a given surface and adds years to the lifespan of the road. By binding fines to the roadway, the surface is made more stable — traffic will produce less and less airborne dust and create fewer potholes and less washboarding. Given the positive impact on the people who use your road and the surrounding environment — not to mention a reduction in maintenance and surface building costs of up to 50% — a fines preservation program represents a smart investment for anyone whose business or community relies on a gravel road or runway.
Success on the Utica Shale
One example of a successful fines preservation program comes from alarge oil and gas producer on the Utica Shale, which, until recently, faced serious fugitive dust issues. Airborne dust on the site had gotten so bad, in fact, that the company routinely received over 50 complaint calls per day. In addition to the frustration the situation caused nearby residents, the company was spending approximately $400,000 per mile to upgrade the county road systems in order to meet the strict road use maintenance agreements imposed by local laws.
Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. was there to help. We designed one of our Fines Preservation® programs specifically for the leading oil and gas producer that featured our specially formulated EnviroKleen® product, a binder system that captures fines and holds them together. Through the implementation of our managed program, we helped the client reduce the loss of fines from the roadway and increase the long-term CBR of the road system.
Community complaints around dust issues were reduced to only 3 per month following implementation, and water usage for dust control was reduced by 100%, saving 175 million gallons of water annually. What’s more, Midwest’s comprehensive fines preservation program reduced the client’s road maintenance costs by 68% within one year.
The Midwest Way
At Midwest, we pride ourselves on taking a personalized approach to fines preservation. Our team of experts works with each client to develop a program tailored to the unique needs of their site and business operations. All of our market-leading fines preservation products bind particulates together using a lab-formulated polymer emulsion process, and with our experienced field professionals overseeing everything from application to maintenance, you’re guaranteed results. Our programs promise improved durability and load-bearing strength for your road or runway, increased safety on your site, and unmatched installation and maintenance savings.
If you’re in need of a long-term fines preservation solution, look no further than Midwest. Get in touch today to learn more.