Biomass Ash Dry Mortar for Low-CO2 Tile Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tile adhesives have high CO2 footprints due to the use of cement, particularly Portland cement, and do not meet the requirements for tensile adhesion strength, open time, transverse deformation, and slip resistance as specified by EN 12004-1 Standard, while also requiring significant energy and releasing large amounts of CO2 during production.

Innovation Solution

A dry mortar composition comprising 40 to 90 wt% aggregates and 10 to 60 wt% of a mineral binder, with at least 70 wt% biomass ashes and 0-6 wt% cement, utilizing activators, retarders, and accelerators to form a tile adhesive that reduces CO2 emissions and meets EN 12004-1 Standard requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If Portland cement is used in tile adhesive, then tensile adhesion strength and setting properties are improved, but CO2 footprint and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile adhesion strengthVSAvoidCO2 footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder by replacing Portland cement with biomass ashes containing calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, and aluminum oxide in specific proportions (calcium oxide 30-70 wt%, silicon dioxide 10-40 wt%, aluminum oxide 5-20 wt%). This parameter change maintains the hydraulic binding properties and adhesion strength while eliminating the high CO2 emissions associated with cement production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses biomass ashes, which are waste materials from combustion processes, as a substitute for expensive and environmentally harmful Portland cement. These biomass ashes provide the necessary binding properties at lower cost and with significantly reduced environmental impact, effectively replacing the traditional cement-based binder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If Portland cement is used in tile adhesive, then adhesion strength is improved, but energy consumption during production increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the binder composition by using biomass ashes with specific chemical parameters (high calcium oxide content 30-70 wt%, plus silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide) that provide hydraulic binding properties without requiring the high-energy production process of Portland cement. This parameter change reduces production energy consumption while maintaining adhesion strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If biomass ashes are used to replace cement, then CO2 footprint is reduced, but tensile adhesion strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 footprintVSAvoidtensile adhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite binder system using biomass ashes combined with specific additives including poly羧酸系 superplasticizers, redispersible polymer powders, and hydraulic lime. This composite approach compensates for the potentially lower reactivity of biomass ashes compared to cement, ensuring that tensile adhesion strength meets EN 12004-1 Class C2 requirements while maintaining low CO2 footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic lime and redispersible polymer powders as intermediary materials that enhance the binding properties of biomass ashes. These additives act as mediators to improve the tensile adhesion strength of the biomass ash-based binder, ensuring it meets the required performance standards for tile adhesives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If cement content is reduced to 0-6 wt%, then environmental impact is reduced, but open time and workability become harder to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidopen time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses poly羧酸系 superplasticizers and redispersible polymer powders as intermediary materials that control the rheology and setting behavior of the low-cement biomass ash binder. These additives mediate the workability and open time properties, ensuring adequate working time for tile installation while maintaining the low environmental impact of reduced cement content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adjusts the chemical and physical parameters of the binder system by incorporating specific amounts of hydraulic lime (5-20 wt%) and controlling the particle size distribution of biomass ashes (D50: 5-20 μm). These parameter changes optimize the setting time and open time properties of the low-cement formulation, providing adequate workability without compromising the environmental benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The composition achieves reduced CO2 emissions by using biomass ashes, which are highly reactive, meeting or exceeding EN 12004-1 Standard requirements for tile adhesives, including tensile adhesion strength, open time, and slip resistance, while maintaining workability and setting time.

Implementation Method 1

After mixing with water, it forms a paste, called wet mortar, that can be applied on various substrates before setting and hardening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration reaction: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250214898A1Dry mortar composition
Publication Date: 2025.07.03 SAINT GOBAIN WEBER FRANCE

AI summary

A dry mortar composition includes 40 to 90 wt % of aggregates and 10 to 60 wt % of a mineral binder, with respect to the weight of dry mortar composition, the mineral binder including at least 70 wt % of biomass ashes and 0-6 wt % of cement with respect to the weight of mineral binder.