A Life-Cycle Approach to Integrate Environmental and Mechanical Properties of Blended Cements Containing Seashell Powder

Fatemeh Soltanzadeh,Ali E Behbahani,Eduardo N B Pereira,Carlos A Teixeira

doi:10.3390/su132313120

Fatemeh Soltanzadeh, Ali E Behbahani + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313120

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Abstract

The adverse consequences of producing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) on the environment have introduced cement production as the fourth largest source of anthropogenic carbon emissions after petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Managing and reducing the environmental concerns regarding the impacts of cement production on the environment, namely the depletion of non-renewable fuel resources, consumption of natural raw materials, and releasing huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere should be, therefore, one of the key priorities of the cement industry. Application of locally available minerals and wastes that can be blended with OPC as a substitute could considerably reduce the environmental impact. The present study evaluates the potentiality of waste seashell to be used as an additive in the production of blended cement through a modified life cycle approach integrating environmental and mechanical performances. In this regard, 34 cements consisting of different blends of OPC, seashell powder (within the range of 4–30% by OPC mass), and natural pozzolan (up to 30% by OPC mass) were tested to identify the optimal dosage of OPC substitution. Environmental impacts of the cements were assessed through life-cycle analysis. The possibility of mitigating the carbon dioxide emissions in the production of cements, with similar mechanical performance compared to that of OPC, was evaluated by considering both the mechanical and environmental results. The outcome of this study introduced more environment-friendly and sustainable options for future cements.

Highlights

The current share of cement industry on global anthropogenic CO2 emissions is about9% [1], which is considered as a significant threat to the global sustainability
All the blended cements of the third group are introduced by a label “G3-NPPj-SHPi”, where “G3” refers to the third group, “NPPj ” implies “j” percentage of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is replaced by Natural pozzolan powder (NPP), and “SHPi ” in this label shows “i” percentage of OPC is substituted by Seashells powder (SHP)
The application of G1-SHP10 and G2-NPP10 cements for developing mortar has reduced 7% global warming potential (GWP) impacts in comparison with that of the mortar made of OPC

Summary

Introduction

The current share of cement industry on global anthropogenic CO2 emissions is about9% [1], which is considered as a significant threat to the global sustainability. In 2009, the International Energy Agency and World Business Council for Sustainable Development proposed four CO2 emissions and mitigation scenarios that cement industry can implement [2]: equipment efficiency, alternative fuels, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and clinker substitution. This section introduces 34 different types of blended cements whose data (mixture ingredients, processing followed for each ingredient, relevant transportation and mechanical behavior of the cements) are used as input for a modified life cycle approach integrating environmental and mechanical performances (MLCAiEM). All the blended cements of the third group are introduced by a label “G3-NPPj-SHPi”, where “G3” refers to the third group, “NPPj ” implies “j” percentage of OPC is replaced by NPP, and “SHPi ” in this label shows “i” percentage of OPC is substituted by SHP

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