REDUCED-CARBON FOOTPRINT CONCRETE COMPOSITIONS

• US 20100083880A1
• Filed: 10/22/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arelac, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Calera Corporation
• Inventors: Youngs, Andrew, Holland, Terence C., CONSTANTZ, BRENT R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 106/801
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/60 Preparation of carbonates or bicarbonates in general of percarbonates C01B15/10; of specific carbonates or bicarbonates according to the cation C01B-C01G
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2103/0086 Chelating or complexing agents
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 7/02 Portland cement
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 7/367 Avoiding or minimising carbon dioxide emissions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 40/18 Carbon capture and storage [CCS]

Abstract

Reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions, and methods for making and using the same, are provided. Aspects of the reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions include CO₂-sequestering carbonate compounds, which may be present in the hydraulic cement and/or aggregate components of the concrete. The reduced-carbon footprint concrete compositions find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) producing a synthetic carbonate component from a divalent cation-containing solution and an industrial waste gas comprising CO₂ and

b) incorporating the synthetic carbonate component into a reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has a reduced carbon footprint relative to an ordinary concrete composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has a carbon footprint that is neutral or negative.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has less than 75% of the carbon footprint as an ordinary concrete composition.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has less than 50% of the carbon footprint as the ordinary concrete composition.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has less than 25% of the carbon footprint as the ordinary concrete composition.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the carbon footprint of the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition results from both carbon dioxide that is sequestered and carbon dioxide that is avoided.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the synthetic carbonate component comprises supplementary cementitious material, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, or reactive pozzolanic material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the synthetic carbonate component comprises aragonite, nesquehonite, hydromagnesite, monohydrocalcite, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the synthetic carbonate component has a δ

¹³C less than −

10‰

.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the synthetic carbonate component has a δ

¹³C less than −

20‰

.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the synthetic carbonate component has a δ

¹³C less than −

30‰

.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The method of 2, wherein the carbon footprint is negative, and wherein the negative carbon footprint is less than −

250 lbs CO₂/yd³ of the reduced concrete composition.

11. The method of 2, wherein the negative carbon footprint is less than −

500 lbs CO₂/yd³ of the reduced-carbon concrete composition.

12. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

21. A reduced-carbon footprint composition produced by a method comprising:

a) producing a synthetic carbonate component from a divalent cation-containing solution and an industrial waste gas comprising CO₂ and

b) incorporating the synthetic carbonate component into a reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition, wherein the reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition has a reduced carbon footprint relative to an ordinary concrete composition.

22. A reduced-carbon footprint concrete composition comprising between 2.5% and 50% calcium;

between 2.5% and 50% magnesium; and

at least 25% carbonates, bicarbonates, or a mixture thereof.

24. The composition of claim 22, wherein the composition comprises between 5% and 10% calcium.

26. The composition of claim 22, wherein the composition comprises between 10% and 30% magnesium.

27. The composition of claim 22, wherein the composition comprises at least 50% carbonates, bicarbonates, or a mixture thereof.

28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition comprises at least 75% carbonates, bicarbonates, or a mixture thereof.

29. The composition of claim 22, wherein the composition comprises aragonite, nesquehonite, hydromagnesite, monohydrocalcite, or a combination thereof.

23. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)