Long-term alkali-silica mitigation of high-alkali concrete with cement replacements

The impact of high-alkali Portland cements on the prescribed level of supplementary cementitious materials required in the Canadian standard for akali-silica reaction mitigation was evaluated. Based on the results, for concretes containing aggregates exhibiting moderate reactivity, the maximum allowable cement alkali limit was raised from 1.00% to 1.15%. For all levels of aggregate reactivity, cement alkali contents could be allowed up to 1.25% provided the recommended level of mitigation by supplementary cementitious materials was increased. In the initial laboratory study, mortar bars and concrete prisms were cast and monitored using two different reactive aggregates and recommended levels of fly ash and slag. For the concrete prism tests, the alkali contents of the cements were increased to 1.25%, as per the standard, or were increased by 0.25%. Instrumented outdoor exposure concrete blocks, along with additional concrete prisms stored at different temperatures, were cast from numerous mixtures made with cement alkali equivalents ranging up to 1.22%. This paper report on the long-term performance of the prisms and concrete blocks after 12 and 27 years. The performance of the outdoor blocks is also compared to predicted performance based on the accelerated mortar bar and concrete prism test results.

Numerical simulation of the effect of different NaCl concent on boiler flame combustion process

Zhundong coal has been widely concerned because of its high alkali metal content, which brings great danger to the combustion of boiler. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to study the laws and characteristics of alkali metal influencing combustion in the burning process of zhundong coal. A gas-solid two-phase flow combustion model of pulverized coal containing NaCl was established by using Fluent software and FactSage software in a hot experimental combustion furnace. The influence of different NaCl content in pulverized coal on pulverized coal combustion process was discussed. The results show that with the increase of NaCl content in pulverized coal from 0 to 1% and 2%, the flame center temperature in the furnace increases about 80°C and 120°C under the same coal content, so it can be concluded that the increase of NaCl content can promote the combustion process of pulverized coal in the furnace. At the same time, it can be calculated that, with the increase of NaCl content, the flame range of the combustion region inside the furnace increases by 1/3. Because NaCl is decomposed by heat during combustion to help combustion, and the radiation heat transfer increases, the flame radiation range inside the furnace will increase.

Simulation of Combustion and Alkali Metal Distribution in Zhundong High Alkali Coal Boiler Based on Computer Control System

Restricted by Xinjiang’s special geographical location, economic conditions, transportation and other factors, Zhundong coal can’t be sent out on a large scale, which seriously hinders the development of Zhundong coal base. Meanwhile, due to the coal-forming history and Xinjiang’s special natural geographical environment, the alkali metal content in Zhundong coal is generally over 2%, which is much higher than that of power coal in other parts of China. In this paper, based on computer control system, the combustion and alkali metal distribution in Zhundong high alkali coal boiler are simulated, and the morphological distribution characteristics and migration laws of alkali metals such as Na and K in pulverized coal combustion process of high alkali coal, low alkali coal and their two coal samples are deeply studied. Combustion characteristics and heat flow distribution, the simulation results show that the flue gas temperature at the furnace outlet is 895.07°C, and the flue gas temperature near the wall is low, which is helpful to alleviate the slagging and contamination in the furnace.

Effects of Curing Method on Properties and Salt-Scaling Resistance of Concrete under Lab Testing

This paper presents a study of the effect of curing on the salt-scaling resistance of concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) under lab conditions. Two curing methods were examined: moist curing and wrapping in a tight plastic sheet. Wrapping concrete slabs in plastic was adopted to represent curing methods that do not supply the concrete with additional water. The two curing methods produced different scaling results; however, the outcomes did not change in terms of meeting or failing the acceptance limit. Curing in plastic wraps produced higher carbonation depth prior to exposing the sample to the salt solution. This could have contributed, partly, to the higher scaling obtained in wrapped samples, other than the sample with 40% high-calcium fly ash. For this sample, there is evidence that curing using plastic wraps maintained high alkali concentration in the surface concrete, which could have enhanced the pozzolanic activity of the fly ash at the surface.

Effects of Curing Method on Properties and Salt-Scaling Resistance of Concrete under Lab Testing

This paper presents a study of the effect of curing on the salt-scaling resistance of concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) under lab conditions. Two curing methods were examined: moist curing and wrapping in a tight plastic sheet. Wrapping concrete slabs in plastic was adopted to represent curing methods that do not supply the concrete with additional water. The two curing methods produced different scaling results; however, the outcomes did not change in terms of meeting or failing the acceptance limit. Curing in plastic wraps produced higher carbonation depth prior to exposing the sample to the salt solution. This could have contributed, partly, to the higher scaling obtained in wrapped samples, other than the sample with 40% high-calcium fly ash. For this sample, there is evidence that curing using plastic wraps maintained high alkali concentration in the surface concrete, which could have enhanced the pozzolanic activity of the fly ash at the surface.

Effects of Curing Method on Properties and Salt-Scaling Resistance of Concrete under Lab Testing

This paper presents a study of the effect of curing on the salt-scaling resistance of concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) under lab conditions. Two curing methods were examined: moist curing and wrapping in a tight plastic sheet. Wrapping concrete slabs in plastic was adopted to represent curing methods that do not supply the concrete with additional water. The two curing methods produced different scaling results; however, the outcomes did not change in terms of meeting or failing the acceptance limit. Curing in plastic wraps produced higher carbonation depth prior to exposing the sample to the salt solution. This could have contributed, partly, to the higher scaling obtained in wrapped samples, other than the sample with 40% high-calcium fly ash. For this sample, there is evidence that curing using plastic wraps maintained high alkali concentration in the surface concrete, which could have enhanced the pozzolanic activity of the fly ash at the surface.