Brick buildings and structures are often exposed to outdoor condition, and deterioration of the bricks due to salt weathering caused by the surrounding environment has been reported in various parts of Japan. In Japan, not only the preservation of cultural properties but also their utilization is currently being promoted, and the beauty of brick surfaces is at a stage where it is becoming more important. For these reasons, a simple, low-cost, easily installed desalination model to desalinate only those areas where salt weathering was observed as first aid of deteriorated bricks was created. Powdered cellulose and copper plates were used as electrodes and these materials are readily available and easy to handle for professionals of conservation science as well as non-professionals. The aim of the research presented in this paper was twofold: to investigate the desalination effect of a simple electrochemical desalination model and to obtain knowledge for practical tests by conducting experiments under different energization conditions and observing the surface of the bricks after energization. Na₂SO₄ solution was used in the experiments and the brick samples containing Na₂SO₄ were used for desalination test by energizing for 8 days and sample exposure test after energization. When powdered cellulose and copper plates were used as electrodes, it was found that when sufficient water was supplied, approximately 64% of sulfate ions in the brick sample were removed when the energization conditions were 5 V and 0.5 A and 73% of sulfate ions were removed when the energization conditions were 5 V and 1 A. Visual observation confirmed that this removal rate suffices in preventing salt precipitation after energization is applied. This desalination method is expected to be suitable for Japanese historical bricks, which have varied characteristics, because it is possible to adjust the amount of water supplied during the energization by using an easily removable powdered cellulose for the electrode, and desalination can be performed without damaging the brick surface. However, it was found that the black areas consisting mainly of Cu₂O were formed after the 8-day energization. Since the efficiency of desalination from this area to the anode may be low, this remains a challenge for the future.

1. Y. Nakagawa, “Fundamental study on clarification of chloride weathering on brick surface,” (Master’s thesis, Mie University, 2008).(Japanese)
2. N. Kuchitsu, N. Hayakawa, “Effect of Treating Bricks with Resins for Conservation of Cultural Property,” Science for conservation, vol. 40, pp. 35–46, 2001. (Japanese)
3. N. Hayakawa, M. Morii, N. Kuchitsu, “An Experiment against Frost Damage by Using Hydrophilic Resin,” Science for conservation, vol. 42, pp. 101–106, 2003 (Japanese)
4. Y. Aikawa, “An Analytical Study of the Salt Influence on Bricks and of Their Conservation Materials Considering Water Absorption and Desorption Properties,” (Master’s Thesis, University of Tsukuba, 2013). (Japanese)
5. S.Hokoi, ” Influence of moisture on conservation of cultural properties from an architectural environmental engineering viewpoint,” Japanese journal of biometeorology, vol.55, no.1, pp.3-8, 2018, doi: 10.11227/seikisho.55.3 (Japanese)
6. N. Takatori, D. Ogura, S. Wakiya, M. Abuku, K. Kiriyama, ” Numerical Evaluation of the Influence of Salt Damage by Improvement of the Shelter－ Study on the conservation of a stone Buddha carved into a cliff at Motomachi PART 2 －,” Transactions of AIJ. Journal of environmental engineering, vol. 85, no. 768, pp. 137-147, 2020, doi: http://doi.org/10.3130/aije.8 (Japanese)
7. Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 煉瓦像建造物の保存と修復 , Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, 2017 (Japanese)
8. A.V. Skopintsev, G.E. Shapiro, ” Comparative analysis of the materials’ choice for the brick restoration technologies in the cultural heritage sites’ facades,” Materials Science and Engineering, vol.913, pp.1-7, 2020, doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/913/3/032016
9. S. Tokumitsu, M. Ashida, and H. Koga, “Important Notices of Maintenance Work for the Electrochemical Desalination,”Concrete Journal, vol. 48, no.5, pp. 115-18, 2010, doi: 10.3151/COJ.48.5_115. (Japanese)
10. L. M. Ottosen, A. J. Pedersen, and I. Rörig-Dalgaard, “Salt-Related Problems in Brick Masonry and Electrokinetic Removal of Salts,” Journal of Building Appraisal, vol. 3, no.3, pp. 181-194, 2007, doi:10.1057/PALGRAVE.JBA.2950074/FIGURES/9
11. Paz-García, J.M., B. Johannesson, L.M. Ottosen, A.B. Ribeiro, and J.M. Rodríguez-Maroto, “Simulation-Based Analysis of the Differences in the Removal Rate of Chlorides, Nitrates and Sulfates by Electrokinetic Desalination Treatments,” Electrochimica Acta, vol. 89, pp. 436–444, 2013, doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2012.11.087.
12. S. Gry, L. M. Ottosen, P. E. Jensen, and J. M. Paz-Garcia, “Electrochemical Desalination of Bricks – Experimental and Modeling,” Electrochimica Acta, vol. 181, pp.24–30, 2015, doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2015.03.041.
13. M. Sawada, Notebook on Conservation Science of Cultural Properties (Tokyo: Kinmiraisya, 1997 ). (Japanese)
14. N. Kuchitsu, “Environmental and Seasonal Influences on the Spatial Distribution of Salt Efflorescence and Weathering on Brick Kiln Walls,” The Japanese Geomorphological Union, vol.23, no. 2, pp.335-348, 2002. (Japanese)
15. A. S. Goudie, “Salt Weathering Simulation Using a Single-Immersion Technique,” Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, vol.18, no. 4, pp.369–376, 1993, doi:10.1002/esp.3290180406.
16. E. M. Winkler, Wilhelm E.J. “Salt Burst by Hydration Pressures in Architectural Stone in Urban Atmosphere,” GSA Bulletin, vol.81, no. 2, pp.567–572, 1970, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[567:SBBHPI]2.0.CO;2.
17. R. Fukami, “Characterization of Japanese Bricks Made in the Early Years of Meiji in Sarushima,” (master’s thesis, University of Tsukuba, 2018) (Japanese)
18. P.Bosch-Roig, G.Lustrato, E.Zanardini, G.Ranalli, ” Biocleaning of Cultural Heritage stone surfaces and frescoes: which delivery system can be the most appropriate? ,” Annals of Microbiology, vol. 65, pp.1227-1241, 2015, doi:10.1007/s13213-014-0938-4
19. IN SITU Museum and Archive Services, “ARBOCEL BC1000 powderd cellulose”, https://www.insituconservation.com/en/products/resin_additives/arbocel_bc1000, (Reading date: 2022/04/11)
20. M. Kawai, K. Tanno, O. Asai, Y. Furutani, N. Kawashima, ” Corrosion products in various environment,” Hitachi Review, vol.52, no. 11, pp.59-64, 1970. (Japanese)
21. T. Ishihara, The Current Issue Case Histories in Corrosion Failures Analysis and corrosion Diagnostics (Tokyo: Techno system, 2008). (Japanese)

Citations by Dimensions

Citations by PlumX

Crossref Citations

This paper is currently not cited.

No. of Downloads per Month

No. of Downloads per Country