Diffusion of radionuclides in concrete and concrete-bentonite systems

Various construction materials are under consideration for nuclear waste repositories. Two important materials are concrete and bentonite clay, which will act as mechanical barriers and prevent convective water flow. These barriers will also retard transport (diffusion controlled) of dissolved radionuclides by a combination of mechanical constraints and chemical interactions with the solid.An important issue is the possible change of the initial sodium bentonite into the calcium form due to interaction with calcium from the concrete. The initial leaching of concrete was studied using radioactive spiked concrete in contact with compacted bentonite.Measurement were made of the diffusion of Cs, Am and Pu into 5 different types of concrete in contact with pore water. The diffusivity measured for Cs agrees reasonably well with data found in the literature. No movement could be measured for Am and Pu (< 0.2 mm), even though the contact times were extremely long (2.5 and 5 yr, respectively). The diffusion of Na, Ca and Cs from concrete into bentonite was also measured.     

Electrokinetic remediation of concrete: effect of chelating agents

Contamination of concrete at various nuclear power plants and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities by radionuclides represents a significant problem for the world's nuclear power industries and nuclear waste management. The present publication summarizes the most recently published data on Electrokinetic Remediation (EK) of various concrete installations and advantageous effects of the combination of EK with different chelating agents. The specific aspects of decontamination of concrete and mortar surfaces are analyzed, such as: (a) effect of chelating agents (EDTA, citric acid), (b) effect of the zeta-potential (zeta) of concrete surface, (c) effects of sorption and complex formation equilibrium, and (d) specific advantages and problems of the electrokinetic decontamination process. The results of laboratory and in situ tests of chelating agent assisted EK removal of radionuclides are reported. It is demonstrated that the correct combination of EK with specific chelating agents can be effectively employed for decontamination of concrete surfaces.     

Prediction of adsorption rate of phosphate removal from wastewater with gas concrete

Gas concrete, a conventional structural material, is used to remove phosphate from wastewater. A batch study of phosphate removal from wastewater with waste particles of gas concrete has been performed. The concentration-time graphs were plotted against pH, temperature, and agitation speed, and the reaction rate equation was adapted to adsorption. The differential method was used to define reaction rate. The adsorption rates, reaction rate constants, and reaction rates were determined by tangent lines of drawn curves at different concentrations, depending on pH, temperature, and agitation speed. The adsorption rate increased with pH and temperature. The maximum effect of agitation speed on the adsorption rate was observed at 150 rpm. The activation energy of reaction and the pre-exponential factor were calculated using the Arrhenius equilibrium equation. The zeta potentials of waste gas concrete were determined at various pH values. The surface area of gas concrete was obtained using BET apparatus as 22 m2/g. The composition of gas concrete was determined by X-ray diffractometry. The results indicate that gas concrete is an effective adsorbent to remove phosphate from wastewater.     

钢渣掺量对泡沫混凝土砌块性能的影响

泡沫混凝土是一种环保、节能的保温隔热材料,以其优良的保温性能,受到越来越多研究者的关注。对钢渣的特性进行了分析测试,对钢渣不同掺量对泡沫混凝土砌块特性的影响进行了研究,结果表明,采用添加5％～35％钢渣所制备的钢渣泡沫混凝土砌块,其密度等级为JC／T1062—2007中的B10级,掺人5％、15％钢渣的泡沫混凝土抗压强度达到A3．5等级,掺人25％、35％钢渣的泡沫混凝土抗压强度达到A2．5等级。随着钢渣掺量的增大,抗压强度、抗折强度降低,吸水率增大。在同一钢渣掺量的情况下,泡沫混凝土砌块的抗压强度变化率增加显著,而且随着钢渣的加入量升高而增大。钢渣的加入有利于提高泡沫混凝土砌块的后期抗压强度。     

Role of casting and curing conditions on the strength and drying shrinkage of greener concrete

The shrinkage of cement-based materials is a critical dimensional property that needs proper attention as it can influence the corresponding characteristics especially when the preparation of such cement-based material is done in hot weather. Studies have shown that the casting or curing conditions influence the performance of concrete. However, there is limited understanding of the combined role of casting temperature and curing conditions, especially for concrete made with unconventional binders. In this study, five supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were utilized as the substitute of the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at different ratios to produce greener concrete and improve its characteristics and sustainability. The influence of four casting temperatures (i.e., 25 °C, 32 °C, 38 °C, and 45 °C) and two curing regimes (i.e., covering of samples using wet burlap and applying curing compound on the surface of samples) on the corresponding compressive strength and drying shrinkage at various ages was studied. The outcomes of this research revealed that the composition of the binders has a substantial impact on the characteristics of concrete. In addition, the casting temperature and curing regimes also have a huge role on the compressive strength of concrete produced with binary binders. For example, the compressive strength at 3 days of concrete made at 25 °C made with binary binders was reduced up to 31% compared to that made with only OPC as the binder when cured using wet burlap. Nonetheless, less than 38 ℃ was suitable to minimize the durability issues in the studied blended cement mixes.

     

Feasibility study on cross-linked biopolymeric concrete encapsulating selenium glass wastes

Feasibility study was conducted to encapsulate the selenium (Se) contained in glass waste, using the biopolymer-modified concrete. Biopolymer has unique characteristics to provide the chemical sites to metals or toxic compounds through the three-dimensional cross-linked structure. Very minute amount of biopolymer enhanced the characteristics of cementitious material. The resulting biopolymeric composite with selenium glass waste showed 20% higher compressive strength than ordinary concrete and the lower leaching concentration than the equipment detection limit. For a qualitative measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD; X-ray powder diffractogram) was used to characterize the biopolymeric concrete. The optimum waste content percentage with appropriate biopolymer concrete mixture ratio was identified for its possible commercial use.     

Effect of global climatic change on carbonation progress of concrete

In the recent years, global warming has dramatically increased the atmospheric carbon-dioxide (CO₂) concentration and temperature. As a consequence of this, carbonation has become one of the most critical durability issues for concrete structures in urban environment.In this study, the climate scenario IS92a recommended by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is used for evaluating the effect of CO₂ concentration on carbonation of concrete. A modified mathematical equation, based on Fick's 1st law of diffusion, is used to evaluate CO₂ diffusion coefficient of concrete. The required cover depth of concrete is estimated by using the applicative methods of reliability and stochastic concepts to take microclimatic conditions into consideration.The tolerance of cover depth should be considered in order to prevent carbonation-induced corrosion. From the relationship between the weight loss of reinforcement and corrosion current density for a given time, the tolerance of cover depth to prevent carbonation-induced corrosion is suggested. It was observed that corrosion occurs when the distance between carbonation front and reinforcement bar surface (the uncarbonated depth) is <5 mm.     

Development of an environmental-friendly durable self-compacting concrete

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this experimental study on self-compacting concrete (SCC), the Manufactured sand (M-sand) and Fly ash (FA) were utilised for partial replacement of...     

Strength,durability, and microstructure of self-compacting geopolymer concrete produced with copper slag aggregates

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lack of vibrations on fresh concrete negatively influences the compaction and thus the quality of concrete. This is particularly concerning with...     

An estimate of the contribution of outdoor concrete yards used by livestock to the UK inventories of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane

Many farms have unroofed concrete yards used by livestock. These concrete yards have received little attention as sources of gaseous emissions. From 1997 to 1999 measurements were made of emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) from 11 concrete yards used by livestock. A postal survey was carried out to assess the areas of yards on farms in England and Wales to enable the measurements to be scaled up to estimate national emissions. Using the results of this study NH₃-N emissions from farm concrete yards were calculated to be ca. 35×10³ t annually. This is 13% of the current estimated total NH₃-N emission from UK livestock. Concrete yards were an insignificant source of N₂O and CH₄ which were both <0.01% of current estimates of agricultural emissions.     

Experimental investigation on water absorption capacity of RHA-added cement concrete

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the recent past, partial replacement of cement by rice husk ash (RHA) in concrete is a prime focus of global researchers for sustainable...     

Evaluation of biopolymer-modified concrete systems for disposal of cathode ray tube glass

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from computer monitors and television sets, which contain significantly high percentage of lead (Pb) by weight, represent an enormous and growing hazardous waste problem in the United States and worldwide. As a result, new technologies are needed to cope with current CRT waste stream and increased hazard and build new markets for its recycled components, developing commercially viable concrete composites, as well as minimizing CRT disposal problems. In this study, commercially available biopolymers, such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and chitosan, were used to encapsulate CRT glass waste, reducing the Pb leachability. The biopolymers utilized contain a number of useful functional groups, such as carboxyl (xanthan), hydroxyl (guar), and amino groups (chitosan), which play important roles in binding and stabilizing Pb onto concrete structures. The use of biopolymers in concrete systems can create a stable interpenetrating cross-linking composite that will last for many years. Results from these new composites show 30% higher compressive strength than standard concrete and a sharp decrease in lead leachability from several thousand milligrams per liter initially to an amount of three-tenths milligrams per liter or lower values (much lower than the U.S. Environment Protection Agency standard for hazardous waste of 5 mg/L by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test), and for some of the composites leachability is below even the standard for drinking water. This efficient and cost-effective CRT-biopolymer-concrete composite is a new class of biopolymer-modified material that can potentially perform a significant role in relieving the current CRT issue.     

Influence of coal ash on the concrete properties and its performance under sulphate and chloride conditions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the influence of coal bottom ash (CBA) on the concrete properties and evaluate the effects of combined exposure of sulphate...     

The effect of nanosilica incorporation on the mechanical properties of concrete exposed to elevated temperature: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Exposing concrete to high temperatures leads to harmful effects in its mechanical and microstructural properties, and ultimately to total failure. In...     

Phosphorus removal from wastewater by waste concrete: influence of P concentration and temperature on the product

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the feature of phosphorus uptake by low-cost waste concrete. Adsorption isotherms, metal dissolution, influence of P...     

Reuse of treated wastewater and non-potable groundwater in the manufacture of concrete: major challenge of environmental preservation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This work concerns the reuse of treated wastewater from Er-Rachidia wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the mixing of ordinary C20/25 concrete, to...     

废旧混凝土用作水泥稳定基层的实验研究

随着城市建设的发展,城市道路改建时产生的大量的废弃混凝土块的有效利用成了一个亟待解决的问题。结合宜昌市东山大道改建项目,将废弃的混凝土面板加工形成再生集料用作水泥稳定碎石基层,达到节约资源和保护环境的目的。实验分析了再生集料的颗粒级配、压碎值、针片状颗粒含量、表观密度和吸水率等工程性质指标,同时对水泥稳定再生碎石的级配、最佳水泥掺量进行了设计,并对水泥稳定再生碎石的无侧限抗压强度指标进行了研究。研究表明,废旧混凝土经加工形成的再生集料具有良好的路用性能,其颗粒级配、压碎值以及主要指标均达到了路面基层材料的要求;掺3%、5%和7%水泥稳定再生集料7 d浸水抗压强度均达到路面基层的要求,水泥稳定再生集料用作路面基层是可行的;掺3%水泥稳定的再生集料可以用在公路的底基层,掺5%及7%水泥稳定的再生集料可以分别用作路面下基层和上基层。     

Combined effect of coconut shell and sugarcane bagasse ashes on the workability,mechanical properties and embodied carbon of concrete

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This experimental research was conducted to study the combined effect of agricultural by-product wastes on the properties of concrete. The coconut...     

Development of environment-friendly and ductile recycled aggregate concrete through synergetic use of hybrid fibers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The partial or full replacement of natural aggregates with recycled ones can lessen the harmful effects of concrete industry on the environment....     

Development of eco-efficient lightweight self-compacting concrete with high volume of recycled EPS waste materials

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Reusing the industrial waste materials is one of the main aims of sustainability and achieve the environmental protection. However, concrete is the...