Carbonatable Calcium Silicate Concrete with Amine-Aided Strength Development

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbonatable calcium silicate-based cements and concretes require improvements in strength development, and traditional Portland cement production is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of specific additives, such as organic molecules with amine groups, during the preparation of calcium silicate-based cement compositions, followed by carbonation with CO2 to form a structure with a core of unreacted calcium silicate, a silica-rich layer, and an exterior calcium carbonate layer, enhancing bonding strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional Portland cement is used, then strength development is achieved, but energy consumption and CO2 emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength developmentVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of cement by replacing Portland cement with carbonatable calcium silicate materials, which have different hydration and carbonation mechanisms that achieve comparable strength with lower energy input and CO2 emissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts CO2, traditionally a harmful emission, into a beneficial curing agent for calcium silicate-based concrete, where CO2 reacts with calcium silicate to form calcium carbonate, providing both strength development and carbon sequestration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Strength

If traditional Portland cement is used, then strength development is achieved, but CO2 emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength developmentVSAvoidCO2 emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts CO2 emissions into a useful curing process by utilizing CO2 to carbonate calcium silicate materials, transforming a harmful greenhouse gas into a beneficial agent that strengthens the concrete while sequestering carbon

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical reaction pathway from high-temperature calcination of limestone (producing CO2) to low-temperature carbonation of calcium silicate (consuming CO2), fundamentally altering the CO2 balance of cement production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If carbonatable calcium silicate-based cement is used, then CO2 emissions and energy consumption are reduced, but strength development needs improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidstrength development
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary actions by adding specific additives (hydroxylamine, alkanolamine, or amine-containing organic molecules) before carbonation to accelerate and enhance the strength development of calcium silicate-based concrete during the curing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary substances (amine-containing additives) that mediate between the calcium silicate material and CO2, facilitating and accelerating the carbonation reaction to achieve faster and improved strength development

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If carbonatable calcium silicate-based cement is used, then CO2 emissions and energy consumption are reduced, but strength development needs improvement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidstrength development
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary actions by incorporating specific additives during cement preparation or concrete mixing to pre-condition the system for enhanced carbonation and strength development, ensuring optimal performance before the concrete is cured

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary amine-containing substances that facilitate the carbonation reaction between calcium silicate and CO2, enabling the system to achieve both low CO2 emissions and improved strength development simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method improves the strength development of calcium silicate-based cements and concretes while reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption, forming a robust composite material with a unique microstructure.

Implementation Method 1

CO2 is needed to react with the carbonatable calcium silicate materials during the curing process to form concrete products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The accelerating agent includes a carrier fluid component having accelerator properties... the accelerator components of the carrier fluid speed up the cement setting reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical acceleration: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3713895B1Carbonatable calcium silicate-based compositions and concretes for improving the strength development
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SOLIDIA TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3713895B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to calcium silicate-based cements and concretes, which result in concrete compositions that have an improved strength development. The invention also relates to a cement product comprising: - a plurality of particles of a carbonatable calcium silicate cement and - a first additive; wherein, the first additive is an organic molecule with at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine group. - Calcium silicate-based cements and concretes.