(787b) Carbonate Ceramics and Concrete: A Disruptive Technology for CO2 Utilization and the Construction Business

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˚C, 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.