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This focus area aims to demonstrate that it is possible to produce sustainable, circular cements suitable for many infrastructure applications by utilising UK mineral resources.
Description
Earlier this research was being conducted by PDR2B Dr Amr Aboulela who worked with Prof John Provis and his research group at the University of Sheffield. They aimed to demonstrate that it is possible to produce sustainable, circular cements suitable for many infrastructure applications by utilising UK mineral resources.
The technical progress in this project was focused on defining criteria for the assessment of streams that are currently considered wastes, which are potentially feasible in terms of scale and composition to become precursors for circular cement production. A software tool was developed to assess materials against specific properties, sustainability, and economic criteria. This tool was also intended to build in important aspects of cement clinkerisation thermochemistry related to conventional and alternative cementitious phases.
Following Dr. Aboulela’s appointment in industry, Dr. Dan Geddes and Dr. Brant Walkley changed tact a bit with the project and targeted a more practical/chemical approach to cement research. Based on input from industrial partner DB group, they are analysing the chemistry of sustainable cementitious materials (SCMs), including blended precursors. They produced some formulations of BFS/MK blends and also studied the chemistry of these materials. In the future, they plan to analyse the superplasticiser interactions and also the use of waste clay materials.
Three publications with the following titles will be prepared shortly:
Paper 1: Examining the nanochemistry of blended AAMs to influence the fresh state properties.
Paper 2: Zeta Potential analysis of superplasticisers in blended AAMs
Paper 3: Using waste clays to formulate AAMs for a circular economy
This research brings impact through enabling connectivity between UK waste generators and potential manufacturers of circular cementitious products, who will be able to identify synergies and opportunities for new connections leading to low-carbon waste-derived construction materials.