Grantee Research Project Results

Green concrete facade for CO2 sequestration

EPA Grant Number: SU841123
Title: Green concrete facade for CO2 sequestration
Investigators: Nossoni, Goli , Luzik, Eddie , Qiu, Chong
Institution: University of New Haven
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2027
Project Amount: $74,956
RFA: 21st Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet Phase I (2024) RFA Text
Research Category: Air Toxics , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Human Health , Air , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , Environment

Description:

Cement production is one of the two largest industries that produces 5% carbon dioxide worldwide. During the production process, 50% of the CO2 is released during chemical decomposition and 40% from burning fuels. Unfortunately, controlling the release of CO2 into the air is very challenging and even with the best policies in place it is impossible to have zero CO2 emission. Physical filters cannot be used for removing CO2 without simultaneously
removing oxygen, since the size of the CO2 molecule is comparable to that of oxygen. CO2 filters are mostly chemical filters and are not capable of improving the air quality of an entire city. This project addresses the challenge of reducing CO2 in the air by designing CO2 absorbent concrete façade panels that use a recycled material. It is well known that concrete can absorb a substantial amount of CO2 throughout its service lifespan. The limitation to the CO2 absorption ability of structural concrete is the limited diffusion of CO2 from the concrete surface into the bulk part of the concrete. As a result, the inner part of a bulk concrete object may not have reacted with any CO2 if the object has low permeability. Engineering design is warranted to increase the CO2-absorption capacity of concrete. Multiple approaches will be taken in the proposed research to engineer the concrete to have the maximum CO2 absorption such as using recycled concrete materials as the aggregate, increasing the water to cement ratio, using other cementitious materials to replace cement, etc. The new concrete mixture design can be used for any non-structural members such as sound barriers and sidewalks. However, the research team is focusing in designing façade panels for three main reasons: 1) they are non-structural members, 2) individual panels can be easily replaced, and 3) they are thin with Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2024-P3-Q1 – Air Quality 3 large surface areas, which is dimensionally suitable for maximum absorption of CO2 per unit volume of concrete. The objective is to make the designed façade not just absorb more CO2, but also be more environmentally friendly by using materials that are recycled and byproducts of other industries. If successful, the new facade material may help mitigate CO2 emissions
into the atmosphere by several million tons per year in the United States, particularly in large cities where CO2 pollution significantly impacts public health.
A multidisciplinary, creative and out-of-the-box thinking approach is needed to address this issue. The PIs are experienced with multidisciplinary research straddling chemistry and civil engineering regarding concrete technology and air quality. The student team is composed of members from several science and engineering disciplines and possess the necessary skills and expertise to accomplish the project.

Objective:

The proposed research will investigate the feasibility of using recycled concrete as the base material for a new concrete facade panel design aimed at absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. The project aims to benefit citizens in the US by reducing a significant source of greenhouse gases and mitigating localized pollution in large cities, thereby improving public health.

Expected Results:

The project will design new CO2 absorbent concrete façade panels. The project will identify the best design for prototype production and testing. The application of our new design in buildings should decrease the CO2 concentration in the ambient air, thereby mitigating the negative environmental impacts of this greenhouse gas on the planet, as well as its adverse effects on people's health. Therefore, the project will directly benefit the citizens in the US. This project will also create synergy between science and engineering disciplines and offer thestudent team a unique educational experience.

Supplemental Keywords:

CO2 absorption, pervious concrete, recycled concrete, recycled aggregate, concrete façade