Production of low-carbon amorphous SiO2 for use as a supplementary cementitious material and nesquehonite from olivine
Barney Shanks, Caitlin Howe, Sam Draper, Hong S. Wong, Christopher Cheeseman
Abstract
Amorphous silica and hydrated magnesium carbonate (nesquehonite, MgCO3·3H2O) have been produced by acid dissolution of olivine ((Mg,Fe)2·SiO4). The amorphous silica is a viable supplementary cementitious material, and the formation of nesquehonite by carbonation, results in a carbon negative process. Using the amorphous silica as a supplementary cementitious material produces low-carbon cement. The global reserve of olivine makes this a viable route to producing low-carbon concrete.
Topics & Concepts
Materials scienceOlivineCementitiousAmorphous solidCarbon fibersChemical engineeringComposite materialMineralogyCementCrystallographyGeologyComposite numberEngineeringChemistryRecycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials productionConcrete and Cement Materials ResearchMagnesium Oxide Properties and Applications