Protection of Concrete Structures in the Interstitial Space of Industrial Chimneys Against the Effects of Condensate

This article focuses on determining the extent of damage and the possible protection methods for concrete structures located in the interstitial spaces of modern industrial chimneys exposed to aggressive condensate. The first part assesses the process and degree of concrete degradation and the chemical composition of the condensate. The second part evaluates the resistance of selected materials, both directly within the chimney environment and under laboratory conditions simulated using data obtained from the chimney inspection. Basic laboratory tests included compressive and bending strength. A total of four materials were selected for experimental programs: a screed based on slag sulfate cement (SSC), sulfate-resistant cement (SV), epoxy concrete (EPX), and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Samples based on epoxy concrete clearly demonstrated the best performance, exhibiting also virtually minimal loss in strength.