| abstract |
A method is described for melting ice, e.g. for penetrating ice, snow, frozen soils and other low melting solid materials where frozen water is a principal constituent. It comprises directly contacting the material to be melted with a melting agent comprising at least one compound selected from the hydroxides, monoxides, methoxides and amides of the alkali metals, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium. Mixtures of at least two of these compounds are preferably used to form ice melting compositions of specific characteristics. |