What occurs if too much calcium chloride is added to brine?

When too much calcium chloride is added to brine, it can result in reaching the eutectic point of the solution. The eutectic point is the specific ratio of solute (in this case, calcium chloride) to solvent (water) at which the solution has the lowest freezing point. Beyond this point, further addition of calcium chloride does not significantly lower the freezing point further, and can actually lead to an unwanted increase in viscosity and reduced effective freezing management of the brine. This makes it less effective for keeping ice surfaces in optimal condition.

Understanding the eutectic point is essential for ice facility operators, as maintaining an ideal concentration of salts in brine is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring safety on ice surfaces.