Eco-friendly Substitute for Cement

Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 4 months ago to Technology
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" Annually, 4-billion metric tons of cement is made worldwide for use in concrete, and for every ton of cement manufactured, approximately one ton of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Conversely Ferrock™ only hardens when exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which is absorbed and trapped, making it a carbon negative material. This greenhouse gas diffuses into the wet mixture and reacts with the iron, creating iron carbonate and becoming part of the material’s mineral matrix."
SOURCE URL: http://techlaunch.arizona.edu/article/revolutionary-eco-friendly-substitute-cement


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  • Posted by evlwhtguy 9 years, 4 months ago
    This story assumes that Co2 is somehow bad. We have to accept that premise for the story to have any impact as written. There is no sientific proof that Co2 is deleterious. Every story mentions a "scientific concensus" not scientific proof. All plant life on earth depends on Co2 to live, the same way animals depend on oxygen. That being said the invention has value in that it uses a waste ptoduct and performs better than the product it replaces. However as is typical the story leaves out important details. 1. The cost. 2 how much matdrial is available, can it really replace cement or is it a minot scientific curiosity. This is the type of thing we usually see in these stories they often fall in to the category of scientific curiosity.
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  • Posted by $ jlc 9 years, 4 months ago
    If it is stronger and more flexible than cement, it is a worthwhile invention in itself - irrespective of its positive or negative carbon footprint. I wonder how this would do instead of cement on the building modules that were used in the homes that jbrenner examined. (I was quite taken by their construction process.)

    Approximately 300,000 years ago, in Sibudu, (near bottom of Africa), the commercial production of ochre began. What most folks do not realize is that ochre combined with pine sap forms a two-part epoxy (used for attaching hafts to spear and arrow points). If I recall correctly, this was due to the ferrous ions in the red ochre. So - after 300,000 years, we have reinvented the process.

    Jan
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    • Posted by 9 years, 4 months ago
      If you mean the aidomes, they are to be examined next weekend. I doubt they will have an opinion on this cement tech at this point. If you have any specific questions about the dome process, let me know and I will ask.
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      • Posted by $ jlc 9 years, 4 months ago
        I beg your pardon: I thought that the visit had already occurred.

        I looked up and read about the aidomes after they were mentioned. I am NOT expecting the developers of those structures to have an opinion of this just-developed cement. I do think that 'improved strength and flexibility' would be an advantage for that type of construction.

        Jan
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  • Posted by Grendol 9 years, 4 months ago
    Is it economically comparable? I did not see that answer. One cubic yard of concrete costs ~$120 for the 3000 psi rated stuff. As an engineer I would look to optimize their uses based upon strengths, needs, and costs. You can readily buy higher strength mortar and grout than portland cement but it costs more. My clients aren't made of money, unless they blindly worship all this earth first theology, my clients will say cost is more important.
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