Transcript 1. Introduction - Louisiana Tech University

Geopolymer Concrete for Green
Construction Materials
Dr. Erez Allouche
Trenchless Technology Center
Louisiana Tech University
November 5, 2009
Summary Statement
Inorganic polymer concrete (geopolymer) is an emerging class
of cementitious materials that aimed at utilizing one of
the most abundant industrial by-products on earth, fly
ash (800,000,000 tons per year), as a substitute for the
most widely produced man-made material on earth,
Portland cement (2,600,000,000 tons/yr).
Research Context and Prior Work

49.6% of the US electrical energy production is fueled by coal
(western USA has 250-year supply of recoverable coal)




72 M tones of fly ash are produced; only 38.1% is recycled
The US produce 110 million metric tones of cement, resulting
in 90 million metric tones of carbon dioxide.
Cement production contributes 7% of human CO2 emissions
Cement production - energy intensive process (heat raw
materials to 2550 F)
Re-Arranging the Equation
Power Generation
Cement Production
Refinery/Chemical industry
Re-Arranging the Equation
+
Accomplishments to Date
Evaluate the geopolymerization potential of 28 samples
of fly ash collected from 18 power plants
Develop chemical additives that enable the pouring of
large volumes of geopolymer concrete
Development of additives that enable pumping and
spraying of geopolymer grout


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8000
BY
[Matco_B040405.dif] 90081-9 GP 3/16/09 w/ 4.94% Si
(1) 97-008-9278> Quartz - SiO2
(2) 97-002-3726> M ullite - Al2.35Si.64O4.82
(3) 97-005-2266> Silicon - Si
(5) 97-003-0860> M agnetite - Fe3O4
100
90
1
7000
ML
6000
80
Intensity(%)
MO
5000
3
70
4000
60
OH
3
50
3000
40
1
1
20
2
5
2
2
2
52
2
5 1
2
25
1
2 12
1
25
1
2 25 2 2 2 12
10
0
DH
2000
3
30
52
1
1
3
1
1 3
2
1
5 2
5
1
1
1
12 2 32 2 2 2 2 21 2152 5
2 2 522 2 25 25 2 1 2 25
2
1000
DH2
0
20
30
40
50
Two-Theta (deg)
60
70
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
Accomplishments to Date


We are on the verge of lunching our first commercially
viable product – sprayable geopolymer grout for the
rehabilitation of manhole structures & sewer pipes
Develop formulation for stabilizing fly ash generated
by waste-to-energy programs (incineration of municipal
waste; Vancouver, Canada)
Plans for 2009-10 – New Applications

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High-energy efficient, low-carbon footprint homes using
geopolymer filled insulated concrete forms (ICF).
High temp grout material for oil/gas wells casing (2,500 F;
16,000 psi in 24 hrs)
Development of ‘Eco-Reef’, ultra low cost artificial rock for
aiding costal restoration; production potential up to 30 million
ton per year along AL-MS-LA-TX coastline)
Value Proposition