Quality Improvement of Recycled Concrete Aggregate by Accelerated Carbonation under Different Pressure

Due to the presence of old mortar (OM) and interfacial transition zone (ITZ),recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is inferior to natural aggregate (NA).The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of accelerated carbonation on the macro-properties and micro-properties of RCA under different pressure(0.05,0.15,0.30 MPa).The macro-property tests included colour change,apparent density,water absorption,and crushing value of RCA.The micro-property tests included scanning electron microscopy (SEM),X-ray diffraction (XRD),thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC),and Vickers micro-hardness(VMH).The results showed that the change trends of apparent density,water absorption,and crushing value of RCA displayed exponential relationships as pressure increasing,with the optimum pressure of 0.30 MPa.SEM images indicated that the calcite caused by the hydration products in RCA and the Ca(OH)_(2) derived from saturated lime water improved the properties of RCA;as the apparent density increased,the water absorption and crushing value decreased.The results of XRD and TG-DSC indicated that,as the pressure increased,the masses of Ca(OH)_(2) in carbonated RCA gradually decreased,while those of CaCO_(3) gradually increased,which demonstrated that the carbonation degree gradually increased.Besides,ITZ-2 was the weakest phase in RCA,but its improvement degree of VMH by accelerated carbonation was higher than that of OM.However,RCA was not completely carbonated,but only carbonated in a certain depth after 24 h accelerated carbonation.

A Novel Process of CO_(2) Reduction and CO_(2) Sequestration Through an Innovative Accelerated Carbonation Technique

The efiect of an innovative accelerated carbonation curing technique was evaluated on concrete containing natural zeolite powder and fine aggregate as partial replacement to alleviate the CO_(2) emission up to a certain extent from the concrete production industry and improve sequestration of CO_(2) into the concrete matrix in a stable form.An accelerated carbonation curing was accomplished by subjecting the concrete specimens to 0.5 and 0.75 M concentrations of sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO_(3)) solutions up to a curing age of 180 days after the initial 28 days of normal water curing.Tests for carbonation depth,pH value,compressive strength,calcium carbonate(CaCO_(3))content,X-ray difiraction,and thermogravimetric(TGA)analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)were performed to measure the extent of carbonation.The obtained results showed an increment in average compressive strength for the zeolite concrete(ZLC)mixes exposed to accelerated carbonation curing.The ZLC mixes exposed to increasing NaHCO_(3) solution concentration and exposure period exhibited greater carbonation depth and decreased pH at each depth interval indicating higher CO_(2) sequestration within the concrete matrix.The results obtained from the microstructural analysis(XRD,TGA,and FTIR)and CaCO_(3) content measurements confirm that the higher amount of CaCO_(3) formation provides a clear indication of the carbonation enhancement and CO_(2) sequestration within the concrete matrix and in turn contributing to the global warming reduction.

Synergistic Use of CO_(2) Pretreatment and Accelerated Carbonation Curing for Maximum Recycling of Steel Slag

Two carbonation approaches are considered for studying the effects on the hardening mechanisms of slurries made of 100 wt%electric arc furnace steel slag (EAF) slag or 80 wt%EAF slag incorporating 20 wt% of Portland cement,which are applied during the hot-stage pretreatment with simulated gas for raw steel slag or the accelerated carbonation curing of slurry.The mechanical strengths,carbonate products,microstructures and CO_(2) uptakes were quantitatively investigated.Results manifest that accelerated carbonation curing increases the compressive strengths of steel slag slurry,from 17.1 MPa (binder of 80 wt% EAF and 20 wt%cement under standard moisture curing) to 36.0 MPa (binder of 80 wt%EAF and 20 wt%cement under accelerated carbonation curing),with a CO_(2) uptake of 52%.In contrast,hot-stage carbonation applied during the pretreatment of steel slag increases the compressive strengths to 43.7 MPa (binder of 80 wt%carbonated EAF and 20 wt%cement under accelerated carbonation curing),with a CO_(2) uptake of 67%.Hotstage carbonation of steel slag is found for particle agglomeration,minerals remodeling and calcite formed,thus causing an activated steel slag with a dense structure and more active components.Accelerated carbonation curing of steel slag slurry paste results in the newly formed amorphous CaCO_(3),calcite crystalline and silica gels that covered the pores of the matrix,facilitating microstructure densification and strength improvement.Adopting the combinative methods of the hot-stage CO_(2) pretreatment and accelerated carbonation curing creates a promising high-volume steel slag-based binder with high strengths and CO_(2) storage.

Influence of Compaction Pressure on the Accelerated Carbonation of Calcium Hydroxide

Mineral carbonation using waste cement is a promising method to solve the problems caused by CO_2 emission and waste cement. Compaction pressure is an important parameter for mineral carbonation of calcium hydroxide, one of the most dominant composite of waste cement that can be carbonated. The carbonation degree, morphology of products and compressive strength of carbonated compacts are influenced by compaction pressure significantly. Results show that the carbonation degree of calcium hydroxide increases at first（0-8 MPa） and then decreases in the higher compaction pressure range（10-14 MPa）. At the meantime, results also indicate that lower compaction pressure accelerates the early carbonation but hinder carbonation in the later stages. For the morphologies of carbonation products, calcium carbonate tends to form typical crystal morphology of calcite（rhombohedral） under lower compaction pressure, while it will become ellipsoidlike when compaction pressure reaches 8 MPa. TGA and water content results show that there is an optimal water content for the carbonation. In addition, lower water content is adverse to the carbonation at later stage and the CO_2 is difficult to penetrate into the inside of compacts when water content is high, which will hinder the carbonation. XRD and TGA results show that the carbonation products are calcite and small amount of amorphous calcium carbonate.

Mechanical Performance and Micro-structure of Pore Steel Slag Block Prepared by Accelerated Carbonation

Steel slag contains a large amount of calcium silicate,which can react with CO_(2)to generate CaCO_(3)and SiO_(2)colloid,thus steel slag may become a cementitious material with a certain strength.High strength porous steel slag carbonated brick was prepared by adding easily decomposed bicarbonate solid into steel slag as pore-forming agent and then accelerating carbonation.A variety of characterization methods were used to characterize the composition and micro-structure of the samples.The effects of different pore-forming agent dosage and carbonation time on the properties of pore steel slag blocks were discussed.The results show that the addition of ammonia bicarbonate promotes the nucleation and growth of columnar calcite.The strength of steel slag block mixed with 30%pore forming agent can reach 24.8 MPa after 1 day of carbonation,and then the strength development tends to slow down.

Comparison of Concrete Carbonation Process under Natural Condition and High CO_2 Concentration Environments

To compare the results obtained under both natural and accelerated environments,the pH values of carbonated concrete were measured,the variation of pH values was determined,and the variations of Ca（OH）2 and CaCO3 contents in the carbonated concrete under natural condition and high CO2 concentration accelerated climate environments were determined by microcosmic test methods such as DTA and X-ray diffraction.The experimental results showed that the overall variation trend of pH values and phase component of carbonation layer of concrete under accelerated climate environments with high CO2 concentrations were the same as those under natural conditions.Therefore,the carbonation processes of concrete were considered consistent under both conditions.However there was a difference in the length of semi-carbonation zones.The one measured under high CO2 concentration accelerated climate environments was shorter than that under natural condition.Experimental investigation showed that it was caused by the differences in climate condition（temperature and relative humidity） as well as the properties of the concrete.The concentration of CO2 and the duration of the carbonation process have no effect on the length of semi-carbonation zone.Thus,it is acceptable to simulate the natural condition by applying the high CO2 concentration artificial accelerated carbonation technique for the purpose of the study of carbonation process of concrete.

Novel typology of accelerated carbonation curing:using dry and pre-soaked biochar to tune carbon capture and mechanical properties of cementitious mortar

One of the challenges of promoting accelerated carbonation curing(ACC)of concrete as a carbon sequestration strategy is ensuring that carbonation will not deteriorate mechanical strength.This study examined the mechanical strength,water sorptivity and carbonation efficiency of ten types of mortar containing dry or pre-soaked biochar subjected to internal and/or external carbonation.The results obtained enabled a typology of ACC to be proposed,in which the carbon dioxide absorption of mortar containing various types of CO_(2)-dosed biochar ranged between 0.022%and 0.068%per unit dosage hour.In particular,the mortar containing dry biochar dosed with carbon dioxide was the top candidate for concurrently increasing both compressive strength(54.9 MPa)and carbon dioxide absorption(0.055%per unit dosage hour).Mortar containing pre-soaked biochar dosed with carbon dioxide was identified as a strategy that achieved the highest carbonation efficiency(0.068%per unit dosage hour),but it also reduced compressive strength(45.1 MPa).Collectively,the proposed typology offers a useful overview of the different ways by which biochar can be used to tune ACC in mortar,according to any technical constraints and/or intended functions of the carbonated concrete components.

Comparison of properties of traditional and accelerated carbonated solidified/stabilized contaminated soils

The investigation of the long-term performance of solidified/stabilized （S/S） contaminated soils was carried out in a trial site in southeast UK. The soils were exposed to the maximum natural weathering for four years and sampled at various depths in a controlled manner. The chemical properties （e.g., degree of carbonation （DOC）, pH, electrical conductivity （EC）） and physical properties （e.g., moisture content （MC）, liquid limit CLL）, plastic limit （PL）, plasticity index （PI）） of the samples untreated and treated with the traditional and accelerated carbonated S/S processes were analyzed. Their variations on the depths of the soils were also studied. The result showed that the broad geotechnical properties of the soils, manifested in their PIs, were related to the concentration of the water soluble ions and in particular the free calcium ions. The samples treated with the accelerated carbonation technology （ACT）, and the untreated samples contained limited number of free calcium ions in solutions and consequently interacted with waters in a similar way. Compared with the traditional cement-based S/S technology, e.g., treatment with ordinary portland cement （OPC） or EnvirOceM, ACT caused the increase of the PI of the treated soil and made it more stable during long-term weathering. The PI values for the four soils ascended according to the order： the EnvirOceM soil, the OPC soil, the ACT soil, and the untreated soil while their pH and EC values descended according to the same order.

Carbonation of Pure Minerals in Portland Cement:Evolution in Products as a Function of Water-to-solid Ratio

Minerals in Portland cement including tricalcium silicate(C_(3)S),β-dicalcium silicate(β-C_(2)S),tricalcium aluminate(C_(3)A),and tetracalcium ferroaluminate(C_(4)AF),show a significantly different activity and product evolution for CO_(2)curing at various water-to-solid ratios.These pure minerals were synthesized and subject to CO_(2)curing in this study to make an in-depth understanding for the carbonation properties of cement-based materials.Results showed that the optimum water-to-solid ratios of C_(3)S,β-C_(2)S,C_(3)A and C_(4)AF were 0.25,0.15,0.30 and 0.40 for carbonation,corresponding to 2 h carbonation degree of 38.5%,38.5%,24.2%,and 21.9%,respectively.The produced calcite duringβ-C_(2)S carbonation decreased as the water-to-solid ratio increased,with an increase in content of metastable CaCO_(3)of vaterite and aragonite.The thermodynamic stability of CaCO_(3)produced during carbonation was C_(3)A>C_(4)AF>β-C_(2)S>C_(3)S.The carbonation degree of Portland cement was predicted based on the results of pure minerals and the composition of cement,and the error of predicted production of CaCO_(3)was only 1.1%,which provides a potential method to predict carbonation properties of systems with a complex mineral composition.

Strength and deformation characteristics of carbonated reactive magnesia treated silt soil

A series of unconfined compression tests(UCTs) were conducted to investigate the effects of content of reactive magnesia(Mg O) and carbonation time on the engineering properties including apparent characteristics, stress-strain relation, and deformation and strength characteristics of reactive Mg O treated silt soils. The soils treated with reactive Mg O at various contents were subjected to accelerated carbonation for different periods of time and later, UCTs were performed on them. The results demonstrate that the reactive Mg O content and carbonation time have remarkable influences on the aforementioned engineering properties of the soils. It is found that with the increase in reactive Mg O content, the unconfined compressive strength(qu) increases at a given carbonation time(<10 h), whereas the water content and amounts of crack of the soils decrease. A threshold content of reactive Mg O exists at approximately 25% and a critical carbonation time exists at about 10 h for the development of qu. A simple yet practical strength-prediction model, by taking into account two variables of reactive Mg O content and carbonation time, is proposed to estimate qu of carbonated reactive Mg O treated soils. A comparison of the predicated values of qu with the measured ones indicates that the proposed model has satisfactory accuracy.

Influence of SO_2 in incineration flue gas on the sequestration of CO_2 by municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash

The influence of CO2 content and presence of SO2 on the sequestration of CO2 by municipal solid waste incinerator （MSWI） fly ash was studied by investigating the carbonation reaction of MSWI fly ash with different combinations of simulated flue gas. The reaction between fly ash and 100% CO2 was relatively fast; the uptake of CO2 reached 87 g CO2/kg ash, and the sequestered CO2 could be entirely released at high temperatures. When CO2 content was reduced to 12%, the reaction rate decreased; the uptake fell to 41 g CO2/kg ash, and 70.7% of the sequestered CO2 could be released. With 12% CO2 in the presence of SO2, the reaction rate significantly decreased; the uptake was just 17 g CO2/kg ash, and only 52.9% of the sequestered CO2 could be released. SO2 in the simulated gas restricted the ability of fly ash to sequester CO2 because it blocked the pores of the ash.