Interesting Dual-Use ... Steel Production can Also Re-Cycle Concrete

[62hx.1708]

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-05-cement-recycling-method-world-biggest.html

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a
method to produce very low emission concrete at scale—an innovation
that could be transformative in the transition to net zero.

The method, which the researchers say is "an absolute miracle,"
uses the electrically-powered arc furnaces used for steel recycling
to simultaneously recycle cement, the carbon-hungry component
of concrete.

. . .

The trick - lime is used as a sort of "cap" to shield
molten steel from the air and to also remove some
impurities. However it has been found that crushed
concrete seems to work just as well. The concrete
is 'reborn' from the heat, ready to crush and use
again. So, you get both steel AND concrete from the
same furnace, same process.

Now will the VOLUME of concrete be worth it ? Maybe
not. The theory though is that concrete is so CO2
intensive that every little bit helps. Whatever
percentage comes from steelmaking is "free" for all
intents and purposes, so we save what we save.

Alas there is just NO good substitute for concrete.
Yea, you can make fired bricks, but those are also
CO2 intensive - not really an improvement - though
in some cases, perhaps easier to recycle for new
projects if anyone bothers. Attempts at concrete
substitutes have been going on since forever, but
so far no magic fix. Can't build big structures
and dams and such from re-melted water bottles
(CAN make single-floor homes though).

[Dhu on Gate]

Gee Whizakers! Just add a shitload of Electric Power, aye?

This Moves the emmissions elsewheres, is all.

Dhu

Post by 62hx.1708
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-05-cement-recycling-method-world-biggest.html
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a
method to produce very low emission concrete at scale—an innovation
that could be transformative in the transition to net zero.
The method, which the researchers say is "an absolute miracle,"
uses the electrically-powered arc furnaces used for steel recycling
to simultaneously recycle cement, the carbon-hungry component
of concrete.
. . .
The trick - lime is used as a sort of "cap" to shield
molten steel from the air and to also remove some
impurities. However it has been found that crushed
concrete seems to work just as well. The concrete
is 'reborn' from the heat, ready to crush and use
again. So, you get both steel AND concrete from the
same furnace, same process.
Now will the VOLUME of concrete be worth it ? Maybe
not. The theory though is that concrete is so CO2
intensive that every little bit helps. Whatever
percentage comes from steelmaking is "free" for all
intents and purposes, so we save what we save.
Alas there is just NO good substitute for concrete.
Yea, you can make fired bricks, but those are also
CO2 intensive - not really an improvement - though
in some cases, perhaps easier to recycle for new
projects if anyone bothers. Attempts at concrete
substitutes have been going on since forever, but
so far no magic fix. Can't build big structures
and dams and such from re-melted water bottles
(CAN make single-floor homes though).