Investigations on microwave deicing effects on graphite-modified concrete

Abstract

The microwave deicing method is one of the non-contact deicing methods. As compared to the traditional deicing methods, microwave deicing method has a higher energy utilization ratio and a better deicing effect. Moreover, less influence on the environment is also an advantage of this method. In this study, 5%, 10%, and 15% graphite was added to concrete as a wave absorbing material to modify the absorbing abilities of concrete. Then, the deicing efficiency of microwave towards the graphite-modified concrete (GMC) covered by an ice layer was investigated via analyzing the variations in the temperature-rising rate, ice layer destruction process, and effective deicing area. The results indicate that the addition of graphite obviously improves the microwave deicing efficiency. For the 15% graphite addition, the temperature-rising rate is 2.5 times that of the plain concrete, and the effective deicing area is 2.2 times that of the plain concrete. The time when the effective deicing area appears reduces 40 s for the graphite addition of 15%. Therefore, addition of graphite to concrete for modifying the microwave absorbing abilities of concrete is a feasible and effective way.