We will build buildings with materials that have captured CO2

We will build buildings with materials that have captured CO2

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“Creativity will save the world” was once said and in fact there is genius in imagining being able to decarbonise the planet by exploiting the construction industry. A group of scientists from University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) has discovered a method that allows being rock crushingused precisely in construction and in the materials industry, of capture CO2 in a stable and insoluble form. Think, for example, of the rock used in the concrete to build condominiums and other infrastructure such as roads, bridges and breakwaters. The topic is of great value since it is estimated that this sector is responsible for the11% of global carbon emissionsso any containment action could benefit the environment.

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“If this technology were adopted worldwide in the production of aggregatescould potentially capture 0.5% of global CO emissions2 – 175 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Future research can define this aspect, as well as optimize the process to trap more carbon”, underlined research lead Rebecca Lunn, professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the Scottish university, as reported by TheCostructionIndex. The entire research published recently on natures it also confirms that for the trapping action the additional energy consumption would be minimal.

From laboratory to industry

“The polymineral rocks such as granite and basalt, rich or poor in carbonate-forming metals, are more efficient at trapping CO2 compared to individual minerals”, reads the research abstract. And this is a great advantage since it simplifies the selection and processing of materials. After which the absorption process takes place chemically by exploiting the crystalline structures that separate the specific minerals.

“If crushing processes could be conducted within a CO gas stream2 effluent (as produced by cement production), our results suggest that for every 100 Megatons (1 Mt = 1 Mt, ed) of hard rock aggregate sold, 0.4-0.5 Mt of CO could be captured as a by-product2“, continues the document.

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Lunn believes it can trapping carbon from polluting gas streams generated by cement production itself or by gas-fired power plants. Not only. If this process were really adopted, the CO footprint would be reduced2 associated with construction of houses and public infrastructure, with the potential to contribute significantly to the achievement of global goals to combat climate change. However, there is still a hurdle to overcome, according to the co-author of the research Mark Stillings: Optimize the process to allow the method to move from the laboratory to the industry. Creativity is not enough.

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