To Prevent Damage Due to Sodium Chloride Salt and Salt Mixtures in Petra – Jordan
Yazan Abu ALHASSAN
(Dep. of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany)
Keywords: Crystallization inhibitor, Sodium ferrocyanide, Salt weathering
Abstract:
The present poster addresses the application of salt crystallization inhibitor on the rock-cut monuments in Petra – Jordan; for the improvement of desalination as well as for the reduction of aggressiveness and probable damage of salt weathering. However, to date, the fundamental knowledge with respect to the interaction of such additives with salts in stone and its implications on stone deterioration processes is still lacking. Ferrocyanide decahydrate (Na4Fe(CN)6∙10H2O) was proposed to use as a preventive measure against NaCl damage, since this product allows the formation of the harmless efflorescences instead of harmful subflorescences. Intensive researches have been done in the past in order to assess the salt weathering of a single salt inside stone. Although single salt are rarely present in practice and generally a salt mixtures are found in the form of efflorescences, either salt crusts or subflorescences. The highest damage potential is attributed to subflorescences. From this point of view, this study will assess the probable application of crystallization inhibitor as preventive measure against both single and mixtures salt for the first time. The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the possibility of stone treatment with inhibitor as a method for improved desalination of salt-loaded sandstones composing the famous monuments in the ancient city of Petra. The particular aims are development of a consistent methodological approach for identification of parameters controlled the success, reliable quantification, interpretation and rating of the treatment´s success, therefore trying to assessment of optimum concentration of inhibitor which leading to maximum success.