Understanding the scabbling of concrete using microwave energy

Journal Article · Tue Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Cement and Concrete Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEMCONRES.2015.04.009· OSTI ID:22475520

Jones, D. A.; Dodds, C.; Dimitrakis, G. ^[1]; Campbell, C. J. ^[2]; Dawson, A. ^[3]; Kingman, S. W. ^[1]

---

1. Industrial Microwave Processing Research Group, Energy and Sustainability Research Division (United Kingdom)
2. Sellafield Ltd, Seascale, Cumbria (United Kingdom)
3. Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre, Infrastructure, Geomatics and Architecture Research Division (United Kingdom)

Concrete blocks supplied by the UK Sellafield nuclear site were treated with microwave energy using a 15 kW system operating at 2.45 GHz. The effect of aggregate type (Whinstone, Gravel and Limestone); standoff distance; and effect of surface coating were studied to determine their influence on the systems performance in terms of mass and area removal rates and evaluate the controllability of the process. All blocks were scabbled successfully, with mass and area removal rates averaging 11.3 g s{sup −} {sup 1} and 3 cm s{sup −} {sup 1} respectively on treating large areas to a depth of 25 mm. The use of a Kevlar barrier between the block and applicator was found to significantly reduce the generation of dust as only 1.6% of the scabbled mass was in the < 106 μm — that generally considered to be airborne. Importantly Brazilian disc testing of the scabbled block showed that the process did not adversely affect structural properties of the test blocks after treatment.

• OSTI ID: 22475520
• Journal Information: Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 75; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0008-8846
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ARAMIDS
CONCRETE BLOCKS
CONCRETES
DUSTS
GHZ RANGE
LIMESTONE
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PERFORMANCE
SURFACE COATING
SURFACES