Microwave Ablation of Contaminated Concrete Surfaces (MACOS)

  • contact:

    Dr. Benjamin Lepers

  • funding:

    BMBF

  • Partner:

    KIT - Institute for Concrete Structures and Building Material (IMB)

  • startdate:

    01.03.2010

  • enddate:

    28.02.2014

The controlled and automated layer-wise removal of concrete and cement-based components, in particular in contaminated environments, is of great importance because of possible problems and environmental degradation. Previous methods require mechanical means to elicit removal what causes cross-contamination with the tooling itself and produces undefined fragmentations that requires complex transportation and processing. These use obstacles and risks cannot be eliminated by existing technology.
A key to the optimization consists in non-contact methods, which operate without mechanical tools.
As a promising technology with unique capabilities is the microwave technology. It is the only physical process that allows a targeted and volumetric processing of structure. However, so far no microwave system for concrete removal has been establish with a sufficient effect of the microwave field for industrial utilization. However, this is crucial for the quality and efficiency of ablation and thus for their reliable use.
The aim of the project is to develop technically usable prototypes, the creation of various pilot plants, development of new antennas and wave guide concepts, the development of materials science foundations, the development of efficient modeling methods and finally the assessment of the technology for various applications in concrete based materials established by the experiences with demonstration components.