Amorphous Carbonate Building Blocks for CO2 Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for commercially viable methods to sequester carbon and produce translucent or transparent materials that can be used to create useful objects such as building blocks and bricks, while reducing CO2 emissions associated with cement production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves mixing a carbonate feed containing carbonate and/or bicarbonate ions with a cation feed and an additive feed to produce amorphous carbonate compounds, which are then separated, dried, and compressed to form translucent or transparent objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If cement is used for construction, then structural strength is achieved, but CO2 emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using amorphous calcium carbonate instead of traditional crystalline cement materials. This parameter change allows the material to achieve sufficient structural strength while enabling carbon sequestration, thereby reducing CO2 emissions associated with cement production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emissions into a beneficial resource by capturing atmospheric CO2 and transforming it into amorphous calcium carbonate building materials. This process transforms the harmful greenhouse gas into a useful construction material, simultaneously reducing emissions and providing structural components.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional cement materials are used, then production is well-established, but translucency cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from crystalline to amorphous form of calcium carbonate. This parameter change enables translucency while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple, involving mixing, casting, and curing stages that are comparable to traditional cement production.
3Quantity of substance
If amorphous calcium carbonate is produced, then carbon sequestration is achieved, but material density may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure inherent in amorphous calcium carbonate materials. This porous structure increases the surface area and volume available for CO2 sequestration while the material maintains sufficient density for construction applications through proper formulation and curing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the production of bulk amorphous carbonate compounds that are transparent and/or translucent, capable of sequestering significant amounts of CO2, and can be used to create durable building materials that reduce the need for cement and associated CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a carbonate feed containing carbonate and/or bicarbonate ions with a cation feed and an additive feed to produce amorphous carbonate compounds
Implementation Method 2
The separated particles of AC may be compressed by subjecting the particles to a pressure sufficient to bond the separated particles of AC together
Data Source
AI summary
Particles of a carbonate compound, such as calcium carbonate, in an amorphous form may be precipitated from solution, freeze dried and compressed to form transparent or translucent objects. The objects may, for example comprise blocks, bricks or other shapes that may be used in construction of buildings. Advantageously the carbonate compound may incorporate carbonate ions obtained by capture of carbon dioxide from an atmosphere of air, flue gas, exhaust gas or the like. Captured carbon may be sequestered in the objects indefinitely.