
The IRIS instrument viewed from above. The cement sample is lowered about 120 cm into a cryostat so that it is hit by the neutron beam. The cryostat is emptied of air to avoid signal noise from air.
New research from the Niels Bohr Institute shows that cement made with waste ash from sugar production is stronger than ordinary cement.
The research shows that the ash helps to bind water in the cement so that it is stronger, can withstand higher pressure and crumbles less. At the same time, energy is saved and pollution from cement production is reduced.
Cement is comprised of chalk and clay, which are mixed together and heated at high temperatures in a cement kiln. The mixture is then crushed into a powder. When the cement powder is mixed with water a chemical process takes place, which causes the cement mixture to harden. Cement is used as a building material throughout the world.
In some countries where sugar cane is grown, agricultural waste product from sugar production has been added to the cement mixture for many years. Once the sugar has been extracted from the sugar can you are left with a lot of fibre waste, which is used as fuel for energy production. From the energy production you get a lot of ash, which needs to be disposed of. In some countries, like Cuba and Brazil, the ash is added into cement mixtures.
“I have been studying cement using quasi-elastic neutron scattering for several years and researchers from Brazil asked whether I wanted to analyse samples of cement mixed with waste products in the form of sugar cane ash. I decided to say yes to the project, which aimed to investigate the properties on a nano-scale and map the mobility of water in the cement. The quality and strength of cement is directly related to how much of the water is chemically bonded. The more the water can move around, the worse it is for the strength and durability,” explains Heloisa Bordallo, who does research in nanophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen.
Neutron scattering reveals water
Heloisa Bordallo was sent a number of cement samples from Brazil. The samples contained varying amounts of ash from sugar can production. Their innermost dynamics were then examined. This took place at the ISIS facility in the UK. The samples were placed in an instrument where they were bombarded by neutrons.
“Using neutron scattering, we can see how the water inside the sample moves. Neutrons are shot into the sample and when neutrons hit the water’s hydrogen atoms, they interact and the neutrons scatter and are picked up by the detectors. We repeat this for several hours and by analysing the data we can determine how the water inside the sample is moving and also determine its local environment,” explains Johan Jacobsen, who performed the experiments as part of his thesis for the graduate programme in physics at the Niels Bohr Institute.
The experiments showed that the cement mixed with approx. 20 percent ash had good properties. The water the cement pores was bound to the ash and moved around less. This explains why the ash cement is stronger, can withstand higher pressure and will crumble less.
Potential for environmentally friendly ash cement
Cement typically takes a week to solidify. After one month, 70 percent of the process has been completed, but the process continues for many years. Ordinary cement is generally stronger during the first few months than the ash cement, but after a year the ash cement is stronger than the ordinary cement.
The Latest Bing News on:
Environmentally friendly cement
- PM vows to foster business-friendly environment for economic growthon December 7, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq has reiterated the government's dedication to fostering a business-friendly environment for economic growth. Addressing an awards distribution ceremony in Karachi today, ...
- Cement maker hails 2023 as ‘amazing year’ in constructionon December 6, 2023 at 3:43 pm
# A cement manufacturer yesterday branded 2023 an “amazing year” for construction as it focuses on expansion to the Family Islands in 2024.
- Environmentally friendly ‘domestic greenhouse’ crowned house of the yearon December 4, 2023 at 4:00 pm
An environmentally friendly “domestic greenhouse” has been crowned house ... Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) walls, reclaimed concrete blocks and recycled cork rubber flooring also maximise the energy ...
- DNV launches joint industry project to advance offshore wind concrete floaters standardson December 4, 2023 at 5:28 am
DNV has launched a new Joint Industry Project (JIP) called Concrete FLOW, which will optimize requirements for concrete floaters, specifically tailored for floating offshore wind farms. At the ...
- Bamburi Cement To Discontinue Ordinary Portland Cementon December 4, 2023 at 4:40 am
In combination with the thrust on the use of eco-friendly cement offerings, it allows us to onboard our partners and customers in our unstoppable journey to net zero,” said Mr. Kapoor. As an ...
- 10 Best Concrete Floor Epoxies for 2023on November 30, 2023 at 9:30 am
The formula is specially designed to bond with concrete and provide a durable, long-lasting repair. It also has a low-VOC formula, making it environmentally friendly. Overall, Rust-Oleum 301012 ...
- Earth Talk: Concrete and the environmenton November 28, 2023 at 1:00 am
Why is concrete production bad for the planet? Are there sustainable options? -- James B., Milwaukee Concrete is undeniably one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation around the ...
- Researchers develop greener building materials using sugar processing waste productson November 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
If you want to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly concrete, you're going to need some sugar. Sort of. PCC is chemically identical to its natural version, limestone, and to make cement ...
- Can concrete be environmentally friendly? The Wagners think soon November 26, 2023 at 6:08 pm
The wealthy Queensland family is backing lower-carbon alternatives, but finding it difficult to pick up customers. Rivals are watching with interest.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Environmentally friendly cement
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Environmentally friendly cement” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Cement
- Star Cement's Rs 2200 cr capex expansion drive on fast track: CEOon December 8, 2023 at 2:47 am
In a bid to capitalise on the anticipated growth in cement demand in East and Northeast India, Star Cement is fast-tracking its expansion plans in both greenfield and brownfield projects, so that the ...
- Dangote Cement Restores Electricity To Ogun Host Communitieson December 8, 2023 at 1:57 am
In the spirit of good neighbourliness, Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese has donated multi-million-naira worth of electrical items to some neighbouring communities ...
- Cement producers strive to mitigate their substantial carbon footprinton December 8, 2023 at 1:16 am
Cement production and processes emit over five percent of all carbon dioxide emitted by human activity. Reducing that environmental impact is a high priority among cement producers. Cement producers ...
- Avangrid's Fourteen ESG+F Accolades in 2023 Cement Company as a Clean Energy Leaderon December 7, 2023 at 11:28 pm
(NYSE: AGR), a member of the Iberdrola Group, announced today (Dec 7) that it has earned a total of 14 awards and recognitions in 2023 . . .
- Analysts stay upbeat on Cahya Mata Sarawak, thanks to strong cement demand for local projectson December 7, 2023 at 8:39 pm
Analysts remain upbeat on Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd's prospects, as it enjoys resilient demand for its cement, thanks to a stronger flow of infrastructure jobs in Sarawak, following an earlier ...
- Tyreek Hill's 2023 season could cement his status as the best modern late-round receiveron December 7, 2023 at 5:28 pm
Hill's historic pace in 2023 could put him in rare company this season. Here's how he compares to other modern late-round wide receiver picks.
- Cement maker hails 2023 as ‘amazing year’ in constructionon December 6, 2023 at 3:43 pm
# A cement manufacturer yesterday branded 2023 an “amazing year” for construction as it focuses on expansion to the Family Islands in 2024.
- Canada and UAE Lead Global Effort to Decarbonize Cement and Concrete Industry at COP28on December 6, 2023 at 5:00 am
Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative launched by Canada and the UAE at COP28. The effort is pointed at decarbonization ...
- Watch: Man nearly hit by oncoming cement truck on B.C. bridgeon December 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
The video was filmed on the Port Mann Bridge in Metro Vancouver. It shows a person in the middle lane of the bridge. As soon as the person appears in the video, they dodge an oncoming cement truck and ...
- Man narrowly escapes getting hit by cement truck in video from Port Mann Bridgeon December 4, 2023 at 4:44 pm
A man ran out of the way of a cement truck following a collision on the Port Mann Bridge this weekend, shocking onlookers.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Cement
[google_news title=”” keyword=”cement” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]