Wyrzykowski et al. (2024): Cold-bonded biochar-rich lightweight aggregates for net-zero concrete

Mateusz Wyrzykowski, Nikolajs Toropovs, Frank Winnefeld, Pietro Lura IN: Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 140008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140008

In this paper the authors present an alternative approach, in which biochar is first processed into lightweight aggregates in a cold-bonding process. To this end, biochar is pelletized together with water and a small amount of hydraulic binder forming round pellets that further harden with hydration. In this way, carbon-rich lightweight aggregates (C-LWA) are obtained that are easier to handle than the original biochar. The C-LWA pellets have similar porosity and strength as conventional LWA and can be used for similar applications. Yet, the CO2 emissions from sintering traditional LWA are avoided and the C-LWA are instead an effective C-sink. the authors demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate in the pellets and eventually in the concrete a sufficient amount of carbon to compensate for the original emissions of concrete

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