CO₂ Mineralization
Once injected into the wet concrete mix, the CO₂ reacts with calcium ions from cement to form a nano-sized mineral, Calcium Carbonate, which becomes embedded in the concrete.
This makes the concrete stronger, enabling mix optimization while eliminating the CO₂.
Applications
CarbonCure for Ready Mix
CO₂ injected via CarbonCure improves the compressive strength of ready mix concrete, which enables ready mix producers to optimize their mix designs while reducing the carbon footprint of their concrete.
CarbonCure for Precast
CO₂ injected via CarbonCure improves the compressive strength of precast concrete, which allows precast producers to further optimize their mix designs and reduce the carbon footprint of the precast products they provide.
CarbonCure Masonry
CO₂ sequestered via CarbonCure reduces the carbon footprint of concrete masonry, which enables masonry producers to differentiate their CMU brand and increase sales with the growing green building market.
See it in Action
Batching is controlled by a simple interface, the CarbonCure Control Box, which is integrated with the plant’s batching software.
In a ready mix dry batch application, the CO₂ is injected into the hopper; while in a central mix or masonry application, the CO₂ is injected into the central mixer.
The Equipment
CarbonCure’s equipment is retrofitted into concrete plants in just one visit. The CarbonCure Valve Box is connected to the CO₂ tank stored onsite, and automatically injects a precise dosage of CO₂ into the concrete during mixing. The CarbonCure Control Box syncs with the plant’s batching software, so adding CO₂ to a mix is as easy and quick as flipping a switch.
Telemetry
Telemetry gathered from each Control Box syncs with the CarbonCure Command Centre in real-time, enabling CarbonCure staff to maintain the technology’s 99% uptime and administer ongoing support remotely with quick response times. A summary of CarbonCure system usage for producers is available via the myCarbonCure platform.
CO₂ Source
CarbonCure uses CO₂ sourced from industrial emitters. Established gas suppliers collect, purify and distribute the CO₂. The CO₂ is stored at concrete plants in pressurized tanks that are refilled regularly by the gas suppliers.
Unaffected Properties
Aside from increasing its strength, CO₂ does not impact the concrete properties. Fresh properties including set-time, slump, workability, pumpability, air content, temperature, and finishing are not affected; neither are hardened properties, including pH, freeze-thaw, density, colour, texture, and durability.
Strength Gains at Early and Late Stages
By precisely injecting CO₂ into concrete using the CarbonCure system, concrete producers see an average compressive strength gain of 10% at 28 days. This gives them the ability to optimize their mix designs.
Optimized Mixes Meet Strength Requirements
After reducing cement content from the control mix by 7%, strength requirements were not met. However, once CO₂ was added to the mix with reduced cement, the strength was equal to that of the control and requirements were met.
