GREEN CEMENT

 

Cement is a powerful adhesive or binding substance that is used as the major ingredient in concrete. Concrete is an important component in foundations, constructions, roads, bridges, highways, embankments, and other construction projects. Cement output continues to expand every year, owing to its critical role in construction and urban development.

Cement manufacturing is a substantial source of industrial air pollution, despite its importance. Clinker manufacturing, a fundamental element in cement, is a major producer of noxious gases, particularly carbon dioxide.

Green Cement Provides the Answer

As part of an effort to reduce the hazards posed by emissions, the cement manufacturing process can be modified to drastically reduce emission levels. Green cement is a type of cement made using a "carbon-negative production technique." Green cement, in other words, is cement manufactured as the end result of a technologically sophisticated process that minimizes emissions during unit operations (such as clinker generation). Green cement is an environmentally friendly product that addresses severe environmental challenges while reducing cement production's carbon footprint.

Green cement's benefits

Green cement is more environmentally friendly than ordinary cement since it uses fewer natural resources and emits less CO2. It also prevents land from becoming a landfill and, as a result, being ruined. Aside from fly ash, green cement also includes blast furnace slag, which, if dumped, can have negative environmental consequences. For heating purposes, the materials used in the traditional cement manufacturing process necessitate a substantial volume of natural gas/coal. The energy required in the production of green cement is considerably reduced because it already contains industrial by-products. Furthermore, unlike Portland cement, green cement is more resistant to temperature variations, lowering the expenses of both heating and cooling. Green cement requires less heat to manufacture and emits up to 80% less carbon dioxide.

Green Cement Types

The most prevalent varieties of green cement used in building can be summarised as follows:

1. Magnesium Oxychloride Cement (MOC) 

Magnesium Oxychloride Magnesium Oxychloride Magnesium Oxychlor Cement is a type of green cement made up primarily of magnesium oxide powder (MgO) and a concentrated solution of magnesium chloride (MgCl2). Magnesium oxychloride cement's two main components are byproducts of magnesium mining. This green cement has a faster setting time and a higher compressive strength.

2. Ekkomaxx Cement

Ekkomaxx Cement is a type of green cement developed and manufactured in the United States by the Ceratech Company. Fly ash (about 95 percent) and additional additions, particularly renewable liquid additives (around 5%), are the main ingredients in this type of green cement. The United States Green Building Code and the International Code Council make Ekkomaxx cement, which has a zero carbon footprint. Cracking, sulfate attack, and corrosion resistance are all excellent points for Ekkomaxx cement. It's also tougher, more resilient, and long-lasting.

3. Geopolymer cement

Alkali-activated cement is a term used to describe geopolymer cement.

Aluminosilicates are used in the production of this form of green cement.

Ordinary Portland Cement emits 95 percent less carbon dioxide than Geopolymer Cement.

4. Ferrocrete

Ferrocrete is a type of green cement made by combining two of the most common industrial by-products from the steel and glass industries, namely silica and iron. Carbon-negative cement can be made by curing such a mixture in the presence of carbon dioxide. Ferrocrete Cement was developed at the University of Arizona for the first time.

5. Sequestrated Carbon Cement

The Calera Corporation Cement in California invented the Sequestrated Carbon Cement. This sort of green cement is created by mixing seawater or brine with carbon dioxide. It may essentially be used as a Portland cement substitute or alternative.

6. Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement

Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement is a type of green cement that consumes 25% less energy and emits 20% less carbon dioxide. It has a fast setting rate, reaching 28 days strength in less than 24 hours. This form of cement is widely utilised in the construction of bridge decks and runways.