Carbonated miscanthus mineralized aggregates for reducing environmental impact of lightweight concrete blocks

Abstract

At a time when the cement industry is largely responsible for the production of CO 2 in the construction sector, it is useful to make this production a reverse phenomenon: that is CO 2 capture. The CO 2 absorption process called carbonation, improves specific properties of the concrete during the conversion of carbon dioxide CO 2 into calcium carbonate CaCO 3. Current environmental concerns motivate the study of carbonation in order to maximize the absorption of carbon dioxide. Moreover, lightweight concrete with bio-based products knows an interesting development in the construction field, especially as thermal insulation panels for walls in buildings. Before identifying and quantifying the basic physical characteristics of concrete made from miscanthus, it is necessary to optimize the composition of the product. The long-term stability as well as the reinforcement may be obtained by means of a mineralization process of the natural product: a preparation with a lime and/or cement-based material is necessary to reinforce the cohesion of the bio-based product. Mineralization process is described as well as the way of producing blocks for CO 2 capture by means of accelerated carbonation. Finally, concrete blocks produced with miscanthus mineralized aggregates offer interesting mechanical properties and minimal environmental impact.