Production of lightweight aggregate from industrial waste and carbon dioxide.
The concomitant recycling of waste and carbon dioxide emissions is the subject of developing technology designed to close the industrial process loop and facilitate the bulk-re-use of waste in, for example, construction. The present work discusses a treatment step that employs accelerated carbonation to convert gaseous carbon dioxide into solid calcium carbonate through a reaction with industrial thermal residues. Treatment by accelerated carbonation enabled a synthetic aggregate to be made from thermal residues and waste quarry fines. The aggregates produced had a bulk density below 1000 kg/m(3) and a high water absorption capacity. Aggregate crushing strengths were between 30% and 90% stronger than the proprietary lightweight expanded clay aggregate available in the UK. Cast concrete blocks containing the carbonated aggregate achieve compressive strengths of 24 MPa, making them suitable for use with concrete exposed to non-aggressive service environments. The energy intensive firing and sintering processes traditionally required to produce lightweight aggregates can now be augmented by a cold-bonding, low energy method that contributes to the reduction of green house gases to the atmosphere.
Gunning
Peter J
PJ
Centre for Contaminated Land Remediation, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, United Kingdom. gp45@gre.ac.uk
Hills
Colin D
CD
Carey
Paula J
PJ
D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D003252:Construction Materials; D008422:Materials Testing; D014866:Waste Products
D014866:Waste Products; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002119:Calcium Carbonate