Title: Pseudo-dynamic carbonation for concrete curing and carbon storage

Authors: Yixin Shao; Arthur Zhou; Mehrdad Mahoutian

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada ' Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada ' Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada

Abstract: Concrete demonstrates the capacity to absorb carbon dioxide. The reaction between concrete and carbon dioxide accelerates concrete curing at early age and converts CO₂ into calcium carbonate for carbon storage. As-captured flue gas without recovery can be directly used in this application. Because of low CO₂ concentration in flue gas, a pseudo-dynamic carbonation process was developed with multiple injection and releasing cycles. The effect of process parameters on carbon uptake and strength gain was examined. It was found that, with a flue gas of 25% CO₂ concentration and 2-hour carbonation, cement paste could uptake CO₂ of 8-11% based on cement content in immediate carbonation and concrete could absorb CO₂ at 7-9% after 18-hour initial curing. The maximum possible carbon uptake from flue gas carbonation was also determined. It was about 15-17% based on cement mass. While immediate carbonation could significantly enhance the early strength, carbonation after initial curing did not improve significantly the late strength.

Keywords: dynamic carbonation; flue gas; concrete curing; carbon storage; carbon dioxide; CO2 absorption; calcium carbonate; process parameters; carbon uptake; strength gain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2015.071108

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2015 Vol.9 No.1/2/3, pp.21 - 38

Published online: 12 Aug 2015 *

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