Carbonation curing of precast concrete, an alternative to steam curing, is being pursued by Carbon Sense Solutions as a means of lowering the costs of unit production, achieving equivalent or improved material performance, charging a "green" premium for the cured products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the concrete industry. The approach exposes fresh precast concrete to carbon dioxide gas from flue gas, which then reacts to form thermodynamically stable carbonate microstructures. Material benefits (improved freeze/thaw durability, reduced water absorption), process enhancements (accelerated strength development) and significant carbon absorption have been demonstrated in lab tests and the approach is being adapted for industry use. The scope of the carbon reductions realized by widespread implementation of carbonation curing is estimated at several million tonnes per year, with the reductions achieved at a single average plant retrofit roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 700 cars. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E220308.
Samenvatting