(365a) Carbonate Ceramics and Concrete: A Disruptive Technology for CO2 Utilization and the Construction Business

R. E. Riman,¹ S. Gupta,¹ Q. Li,¹ V. Atakan,² Ç. Vakifahmetoglu,¹ J. Azurdia,² J. Krishnan, M. A. Bitteto, L. Tang,¹ J. Czerepinski,¹ Larry E. McCandlish,² and Nick Decristofaro²

1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 607 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854

2. Solidia Technologies Inc., 11 Colonial Drive, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Alternatives to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) are needed that can use captured CO₂ directly or convert it to valuable products, such as fuels, chemicals, plastics, or building materials. This paper will describe a breakthrough process invented and patented by Rutgers called hydrothermal liquid phase sintering. When CO₂ is incorporated into the hydrothermal liquid phase to react with ultramafic mineral silicates at temperatures below 100¢ªC, chemically bonded ceramics can be produced with outstanding properties. Our work has demonstrated that both building and infrastructure materials can be manufactured that meet or exceed property specifications for a range of applications to justify commercialization. At the same this process is green in terms of its carbon footprint and energy consumption.  CO2 mass balance computations suggest that use of mineral-based CaSiO3 can yield a truly carbon-negative material that consumes a fraction of the energy required for cement or concrete processing. Solidia Technologies was founded as a Rutgers start-up to build construction materials businesses that yield materials with exceptional performance and cost while maintaining its green profile. Progress towards commercialization and its potential impact on global CO₂ emissions and energy will be discussed. This presentation will also provide a perspective with respect to the sustainability of this process relative to stone, ceramic and concrete processing.