Understanding the scabbling of concrete using microwave energy

Buttress, A.J.; Jones, D.A.; Dodds, Chris; Dimitrakis, Georgios; Dawson, Andrew; Kingman, S.W.

Abstract

This paper reports on the use of microwave energy to scabble concrete. While the technique is not new, little information exists relating to the controllability of the process, the effect of different types of concrete and the performance and durability of the scabbled concrete post treatment. Concrete blocks supplied by the UK Sellafield nuclear site were treated with microwave energy using a 15kW system, operating at 2.45GHz. 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. Complimentary modelling studies were undertaken relating the power density of the microwave energy to observed scabbling profile. Mass and area removal rates averaged 11.3gs-1 and 3cms-1 respectively on treating large areas to a depth of 25mm. The process was shown to not adversely affect structural properties of the specimens after treatment.

Citation

Buttress, A., Jones, D., Dodds, C., Dimitrakis, G., Dawson, A., & Kingman, S. (in press). Understanding the scabbling of concrete using microwave energy. Cement and Concrete Research, 75, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.04.009

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 20, 2015
• Deposit Date: May 27, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2015
• Journal: Cement and Concrete Research
• Print ISSN: 0008-8846
• Electronic ISSN: 0008-8846
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 75
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.04.009
• Keywords: Microwave Processing, Concrete, Radioactive Waste
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/751847
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0008884615001155#
• Contract Date: May 27, 2015