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Low-carbon bricks developed using C&D waste for energy-efficient walling envelopes

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    18th Sep, 2021

Researchers have developed a technology to produce energy-efficient walling materials using construction and demolition (C&D) waste and alkali-activated binders.

Context

Researchers have developed a technology to produce energy-efficient walling materials using construction and demolition (C&D) waste and alkali-activated binders.

Key highlights about technology

  • The technology produces alkali-activated bricks/blocks by utilising fly ash and furnace slag and characterising the thermal, structural, and durability characteristics of Low-C bricks and their masonry. 
    • Low-carbon bricks do not require high-temperature firing, and avoid the use of high-energy materials such as Portland cement. 
  • After ascertaining the Physico-chemical and compaction characteristics of the CDW, the optimum mix ratios of the materials were obtained, and then the production process was evolved to produce low-C bricks. 
  • Based on the optimum binder proportions, the compressed bricks were manufactured. The bricks were examined for engineering characteristics.
  • This technology will also mitigate the disposal problems associated with the C&D wastes.

Alkali activation process 

  • Alkali-activation is a globally growing technology that involves the chemical reaction between a solid aluminosilicate precursor and an alkaline activator, at room temperatures, giving a hardened product 
  • The technology will also solve the disposal problems associated with C&D waste mitigation.

Carbon emission by making Building envelopes  

  • Building envelopes  consist of masonry walls built with burnt clay bricks, concrete blocks, hollow clay blocks, fly ash bricks, lightweight blocks, and so on. 
    • The envelopes spend energy during their production, thus incurring carbon emission (i.e., possess embodied carbon) consume mined raw material resources which lead to unsustainable constructions.
  • The masonry units are manufactured either through the process of firing or using high-energy/embodied carbon binders such as Portland cement. 
  • As a result, the annual consumption of bricks and blocks in India is about 900 million tonnes
  • Besides, the construction industry generates vast amounts (70 – 100 million tonnes per annum) of construction and demolition waste (CDW). 
  • In order to promote sustainable construction, two important issues need to be addressed while manufacturing the masonry units –
  • Conserving mined raw material resources 
  • Emission reduction.

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