Study on Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar in Concrete for Carbon Sequestration

Abstract

Abstract: Embodied carbon from manufacturing of cement is increasing day by day as constructions are happening everywhere so the consumption of cement is increasing by default. In next decade there are much more constructions are going to takes place that will lead to Increase in GHG’s emissions from cement manufacturing. It is supposed to be a threat to climate . To reduce this increase in embodied carbon there is need to reduce cement consumption by partially replacing cement with other suitable options. biochar which is a by-product of pyrolysis of biomass and is effective in carbon sequestration activity and results in high water and carbon dioxide holding capacity. In this study Sugarcane bagasse biochar is used in concrete and mortar as partial replacement of cement for carbon sequestration. Strength characteristics of materials are supposed to be interlinked with pozzolanic activity hence pretreatment is done with 0.1 N HCl to enhance pozzolanic property activity of biochar. This pozzolanic activity is calculated by considering Ca(OH)2 fixation during the titration in chapelle test. From the study results its is observed that pretreatment with 0.1 N HCl at room temperature is sufficient to increase the pozzolanic activity of biochar also this Sugarcane bagasse biochar is observed to be sequestering carbon dioxide and it is increasing with increase in biochar. But compressive strength of concrete is decreasing with increase in sugarcane bagasse biochar. Hence it is not suitable to be used in construction work but can be used in plaster mortar where no much compressive strength is required . Sugarcane bagasse biochar can act as carbon sequestering media in concrete but it can’t be recommended in concrete or mortar for construction work.