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Simple new process stores carbon dioxide in concrete without compromising strength

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2024-07-09 20:00:07

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

By using a carbonated—rather than a still—water-based solution during the concrete manufacturing process, a Northwestern University-led team of engineers has discovered a new way to store carbon dioxide (CO2) in the ubiquitous construction material.

Not only could the new process help sequester CO2 from the ever-warming atmosphere, it also results in concrete with uncompromised strength and durability.

In laboratory experiments, the process achieved a CO2 sequestration efficiency of up to 45%, meaning that nearly half of the CO2 injected during concrete manufacturing was captured and stored. The researchers hope their new process could help offset CO2 emissions from the cement and concrete industries, which are responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

"The cement and concrete industries significantly contribute to human-caused CO2 emissions," said Northwestern's Alessandro Rotta Loria, who led the study. "We are trying to develop approaches that lower CO2 emissions associated with those industries and, eventually, could turn cement and concrete into massive 'carbon sinks.' We are not there yet, but we now have a new method to reuse some of the CO2 emitted as a result of concrete manufacturing in this very same material. And our solution is so simple technologically that it should be relatively easy for industry to implement."