LOW CARBON CONCRETE by Vasudevan Sivaganesan, Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Concrete emits very little carbon dioxide. It is the world's second most consumed substance after water due to its versatility, performance, and local availability. There is little doubt that reducing the embodied carbon of such a widely used product has the potential to reduce global carbon emissions.

There are many numerous systems developed to absorb CO2 before it enters the environment. Some CO2 emissions are unavoidable during the manufacture of clinker for cement, which accounts for more than 70% of CO2 emissions. By installing a CO2 capturing machine, it is possible to capture CO2 emissions at the end of the standard combustion process. The nitrogen and carbon dioxide will be routed to this unit, where they will cool. Although the nitrogen will be released, the carbon dioxide will react and bond with the Amine liquid. As a consequence, the rich amine is heated, and the solution separates once more into CO2 and amine liquid. The CO2 gathered will be 99 percent purest, and it will be sent to the compressor to be transported away.

The Oxyfuel Technique is the second CO2 capture technology. To enhance combustion, pure oxygen will be delivered to the combustion chamber from here. When all gases are routed to the CO2 capture unit. They are subjected to the elimination of sulphur and nitrogen dioxide. The moisture is then removed by another device. The leftover gases are then physically separated. The pooled CO2 is then increased to 90 percent and transmitted to the collector. The direct separation is the third technique. During the calcination process, a unique reactor substitutes the cyclone heat exchanger to remove the CO2 from the limestone. When all the CO2 that has been collected from being released into the environment is captured, it may be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used to make chemicals, to boost plant development, to convert into synthetic fuels, to embed in new concrete, and to carbonate recycled concrete.

To summarize, there are several alternatives, but their applicability and availability are restricted. It is critical to continually bear in mind the need to minimize CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Technology is constantly available to help preserve the environment. Capturing CO2 is the only sustainable technique capable of producing zero-carbon concrete.