Victorian Sustainability Conference

1Presentation downloadable from www.tececo.com

Victorian Sustainability ConferenceVictorian Sustainability Conference

Earthship Brighton (UK) – The first building utilising TecEco eco-cements

I will have to race over some slides but the presentation is always downloadable from the TecEco web site if you missed something. John Harrison B.Sc. B.Ec. FCPA.


The Problem – A Planet in CrisisThe Problem – A Planet in Crisis

TecEco are in the BIGGEST Business on the Planet - Solving Sustainability Problems Economically

TecEco are in the BIGGEST Business on the Planet - Solving Sustainability Problems Economically


Demographic Explosion? Demographic Explosion?

?

Developed Countries

Undeveloped Countries

Global population, consumption per capita and our footprint on the planet is exploding.


Atmospheric Carbon DioxideAtmospheric Carbon Dioxide


Global Temperature AnomalyGlobal Temperature Anomaly


Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint

Our footprint is exceeding the capacity of the planet to support it. We are not longer sustainable as a species and must change our ways


Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint


Victoria Before SettlementVictoria Before Settlement


Victoria NowVictoria Now

Paper Mill - Soda liquor + Cl

Forestry - Cover removal

Farming - Pesticide, N & K

Cows - methane

Vehicles - carbon dioxide

Immediate and polluted run-off.Pollution.Carbon dioxide and other gases.Sewerage. Huge linkages


Victoria with a Little Lateral Thinking & EffortVictoria with a Little Lateral Thinking & Effort

Less paper. Other Cl free processes - no salinity

Evolution away from using trees – paperless office

Organic farming Carbon returned to soils. Use of zeolite reduces water and fertilizer required by 2/3

Cows – CSIO anti methane bred

Vehicles – more efficient and using fuel cells

Porous pavement prevents immediate and polluted run-off. Carbon dioxide and other gases absorbed by TecEco eco-cements. Sewerage converted to fertilizer and returned to soils. Buildings generate own energy etc.

TecEco technology provides ways ofsequestering carbon dioxide and utilising wastes to create our techno - world


Innovative New Materials VitalInnovative New Materials Vital We need to think at the supply and waste end when we design

building materials – not just about the materials utility phase in the middle

Making the built environment not only a repository for recyclable resources (referred to as waste) but a huge carbon sink is an alternative and adjunct that is politically viable as it potentially results in economic benefits.

Concrete, a cementitous composite, is the single biggest material flow on the planet with over 2 tonnes per person produced and a good place to start.

By including carbon, materialsare potentially carbon sinks.

By including wastes many problems at the waste end are solved.

Eco-cement example

MgCO3 → MgO + ↓CO2 - Efficient low temperature calcination & capture

MgO + ↓CO2 + H2O → MgCO3.3H2O - Sequestration as building material

Δ

C

C

C

CC

C

C


TecEco & Integrated ProcessesTecEco & Integrated Processes Silicate → Carbonate Mineral Sequestration

– Using either peridotite, forsterite or serpentine as inputs to a silicate reactor process CO2 is sequestered and magnesite produced.

– Proven by others (NETL,MIT,TNO, Finnish govt. etc.) Tec-Kiln Technology

– Combined calcining and grinding in a closed system allowing the capture of CO2. Powered by waste heat, solar or solar derived energy.

– To be proved but simple and should work! Direct Scrubbing of CO2 using MgO

– Being proven by others (NETL,MIT,TNO, Finnish govt. etc.) Eco-Cement Concretes in the Built

Environment.– TecEco eco-cements set by absorbing CO2 and are as

good as proven.

TecEco

EconomicunderKyoto?

TecEco


The TecEco Total ProcessThe TecEco Total Process

Iron Ore. Silicate Reactor Process

Silicic Acids or Silica

Solar or Wind Electricity Powered

Tec-KilnCO2 for Geological Sequestration

Oxide Reactor Process

CO2 from Power Generation, Industry or CO2 Directly From the Air

Magnesite MgCO3)

Crushing

Grinding

Screening

Magnetic Sep.

Heat Treatment

Serpentine Mg3Si2O5(OH)4

Crushing

Grinding

Screening

Gravity Concentration

Olivine Mg2SiO4

Magnesia (MgO)

MgO for TecEco Cements and Sequestration by Eco-Cements in the Built Environment

Other Wastes after Processing

Tonnes CO2 Sequestered per Tonne Silicate with Various Cycles through the TecEco Process

Chrysotile (Serpentinite) Billion Tonnes

Forsterite (Mg Olivine) Billion Tonnes

Tonnes CO2 sequestered by 1 billion tonnes of mineral mined directly .4769 .6255

Tonnes CO2 captured during calcining .4769 .6255

Tonnes CO2 captured by eco-cement .4769 .6255

Total tonnes CO2 sequestered or abated per tonne mineral mined (Single calcination cycle).

1.431 1.876

Total tonnes CO2 sequestered or abated (Five calcination cycles.) 3.339 4.378

Total tonnes CO2 sequestered or abated (Ten calcination cycles). 5.723 7.506

Simplified TecEco ReactionsTec-Kiln MgCO3 → MgO + CO2 - 118 kJ/moleReactor Process MgO + CO2 → MgCO3 + 118 kJ/mole (usually more complex hydrates)

Magnesite (MgCO3)

CO2 from Power Generation or Industry

Magnesium Thermodynamic

Cycle

Waste Sulfuric Acid or Alkali?


Why Mangesium CompoundsWhy Mangesium Compounds Because magnesium has a low molecular weight,

proportionally a much greater amount of CO2 is released or captured.

This, together with the high proportion of water in the binder is what makes construction the built environment out of CO2 and water so exciting.

Imagine the possibilities if CO2 could be captured during the manufacture of eco-cement!

%5284

44

3

2

MgCO

CO

%43101

44

3

2

CaCO

CO


TecEco Kiln TechnologyTecEco Kiln Technology

CO2

Grinds and calcines at the same time.

Runs 25% to 30% more efficiency.Can be powered by solar energy

or waste heat.Brings mineral sequestration and

geological sequestration together Captures CO2 for bottling and sale to the oil industry (geological sequestration). The products – CaO &/or MgO can be used to sequester more CO2 and then be

re-calcined. This cycle can then be repeated. Suitable for making reactive reactive MgO.


A Post – Carbon AgeA Post – Carbon Age

Prehistoric Classic Renaissance Industrial Revolution Contemporary Post Carbon Age

Recyclable Recyclable

CO2

Wattle & daub Stone Mud brick Etc.

Stone

Stone Brick

Concrete Concrete Steel Aluminium

Eco-cements

We all use carbon and wastes to make our homes!


TecEco CementsTecEco CementsSUSTAINABILITY

DURABILITY STRENGTHTECECO CEMENTS

Hydration of the various components of Portland cement for strength.

Reaction of alkali with pozzolans (e.g. lime with fly ash.) for sustainability, durability and strength.

Hydration of magnesia => brucite fo strength, workability, dimensional stability and durability. In Eco-cements carbonation of brucite => nesquehonite, lansfordite and an amorphous phase for sustainability.

PORTLAND

POZZOLAN

MAGNESIA

TecEco concretes are a system of blending reactive magnesia, Portland cement and usually a pozzolan with other materials and are a key factor for sustainability.


Eco-Cement compared to Carbonating Lime Mortar. Eco-Cement compared to Carbonating Lime Mortar. The underlying chemistry is very similar however eco-

cements are potentially superior to lime mortars because:– The calcination phase of the magnesium thermodynamic cycle takes

place at a much lower temperature– Magnesium minerals are generally more fibrous and acicular than

calcium minerals and hence a lot stronger.– Water forms part of the binder minerals that forming making the cement

component go further.– Magnesium hydroxide in particular and to some extent the carbonates

are less reactive and mobile and thus much more durable.– A less reactive environment with a lower long term pH. (around 10.5

instead of 12.35) Because magnesium has a low molecular weight,

proportionally a much greater amount of CO2 is captured. Carbonation in the built environment would result in

significant sequestration because of the shear volumes involved.

Carbonation adds considerable strength and some steel reinforced structural concrete could be replaced with fibre reinforced porous carbonated concrete.


TecEco Binders - Solving Waste ProblemsTecEco Binders - Solving Waste Problems

There are huge volumes of concrete produced annually ( 2 tonnes per person per year )

The goal should be to make cementitious composites that can utilise wastes.

TecEco cements provide a benign environment suitable for waste immobilisation

Many wastes such as fly ash, sawdust , shredded plastics etc. can improve a property or properties of the cementitious composite.

There are huge materials flows in both wastes and building and construction. TecEco technology will lead the world in the race to incorporate wastes in cementitous composites


TecEco Binders - Solving Waste Problems (2)TecEco Binders - Solving Waste Problems (2)

TecEco cementitious composites represent a cost affective option for both use and immobilisation of waste.– Lower reactivity (less water, lower pH).– Reduced solubility of heavy metals (lower pH).– Greater durability.– Dense.– Impermeable (tec-cements).– Homogenous.– No bleed water.– Are not attacked by salts in ground or sea water.– Are dimensionally more stable with less cracking.

TecEco Technology Converting Waste to Resource


Lower Solubility of Metal HydroxidesLower Solubility of Metal Hydroxides

Pb(OH) Cr(OH) 3

Zn(OH) 2

Ag(OH) Cu(OH) 2 Ni(OH) 2 Cd(OH) 2

10 -6

10 -4

10 -2

10 0

10 2

Co

nce

ntr

atio

n o

f D

isso

lved

Met

al, (

mg

/L)

14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Equilibrium pH of brucite is 10.52 (more ideal)*

Equilibrium pH of Portlandite is 12.35*

*Equilibrium pH’s in pure water, no other ions present. The solubility of toxic metal hydroxides is generally less at around pH 10.52 than at higher pH’s.

There is a 104 difference


ChangeChange“It is not the strongest of the species

that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one that is most adaptable to change (Darwin, C., 1859).”

Drivers for Change:– The necessity of converting waste to

resources– The demand for sustainability– The introduction of robotics into construction.– Improved materials.– More economic materials


DriversDrivers

Producer Push

The opportunity cost of compliant waste disposal Profitability and cost recovery Technical merit Resource issues Research objectives

Consumer Pull

Environmental sentiment Cost and technical advantages?

Government Influence

Carbon Taxes Provision of Research Funds Environmental education

Huge Markets Cement 2 billion tonnes. Bricks 130,000 million tonnes

• TecEco cements are the only binders capable of utilising very large quantities of wastes based on physical property rather than chemical composition overcoming significant global disposal problems, and reducing the impact of landfill taxes.

• TecEco eco-cements can sequester CO2 on a large scale and will therefore provide carbon accounting advantages.


The Solution must be Economic.The Solution must be Economic.

With record energy prices the argument of Hawken and Lovins in the book Natural Capitalism that sustainability makes good business sense has never been more vindicated

Moves towards ensuring a sustainable future by changing the materials we use have to be more economic than not changing them.– Otherwise, given human nature, they will not happen


Economically Driven SustainabilityEconomically Driven Sustainability

The challenge is to harness human behaviours which underlay economic supply and demand phenomena by changing the technical paradigm in favour of making carbon dioxide and other wastes resources.

Sustainable processes are more efficient and therefore more economic. What is needed are sustainable process that also deliver sustainable materials and innovation will deliver these new technical paradigms.

ECONOMICS


Cultural Change and Paradigm Shifts in TechnologyCultural Change and Paradigm Shifts in Technology

Increase in demand/price ratio for sustainability due to educationally induced cultural drift.

#

$

Demand

Supply

Increase in supply/price ratio for more sustainable products due to innovative changes in the technical paradigm.

Equilibrium shiftECONOMICS

Greater Value/for impact (Sustainability)


To Make Carbon and Wastes Resources the Key is To Change the

Technology Paradigm

To Make Carbon and Wastes Resources the Key is To Change the

Technology Paradigm“By enabling us to make productive use of particular raw materials, technology determines what constitutes a physical resource1”

1.Pilzer, Paul Zane, Unlimited Wealth, The Theory and Practice of Economic Alchemy, Crown Publishers Inc. New York.1990Changing the technical paradigm will affect the supply of and demand for more sustainable materials


Materials – The Key to SustainabilityMaterials – The Key to Sustainability

Biosphere - Geosphere Techno - World Materials are the link

between the bio-geo-sphere and techno-sphere and the key to sustainability. They are everything between and define the take and waste.


A Killer Application for Waste?A Killer Application for Waste? Wastes

– Utilizing wastes based on their chemical composition involves energy consuming transport.

– Wastes could be utilized as resources depending on their class of properties rather than chemical composition.

• in vast quantities based on broadly defined properties such as light weight, tensile strength, insulating capacity, strength or thermal capacity in composites.

• Many wastes contain carbon and if utilized would result in net carbon sinks.

TecEco binders enable many wastes to be converted to resources. Two examples:– Plastics– Sawdust and wood waste


Sustainability SummarySustainability Summary A more holistic approach is to reduce energy

consumption as well as sequester carbon. To reduce our linkages with the environment we

must convert waste to resource (recycle). Sequestration and recycling have to be economic

processes or they have no hope of success. We cannot stop progress, but we can change and

historically economies thrive on change. What can be changed is the technical paradigm.

CO2 and wastes need to be redefined as resources. New and better materials are required that utilize

wastes including CO2 to create a wide range of materials suitable for use in our built environment.


Policy SummaryPolicy SummaryGovernments cannot easily legislate for

sustainability, it is more important that ways are found to make sustainability good business.– “Feel good” legislation does not work.– Deposit Legislation works but is difficult to implement

successfully.– Carbon rationing would be difficult to achieve globally.– Need to underpin Kyoto with a real price for carbon.

It is therefore important for governments to make efforts to understand new technical paradigms that will change the techno-process so it delivers sustainable outcomes


The Largest Material Flow - Cement and ConcreteThe Largest Material Flow - Cement and Concrete

Concrete made with cement is the most widely used material on Earth accounting for some 30% of all materials flows on the planet and 60 - 70% of all materials flows in the built environment.– Global Portland cement production is in the order of 2

billion tonnes per annum. – Globally over 14 billion tonnes of concrete are poured

per year.– That’s over 2 tonnes per person per annum

TecEco Pty. Ltd. have benchmark technologies for improvement in

sustainability and properties

TecEco Pty. Ltd. have benchmark technologies for improvement in

sustainability and properties


Embodied Energy of Building MaterialsEmbodied Energy of Building Materials

Downloaded from www.dbce.csiro.au/ind-serv/brochures/embodied/embodied.htm (last accessed 07 March 2000)

Concrete is relatively environmentally friendly and has a relatively low embodied energy


Cement Production = Carbon Dioxide EmissionsCement Production = Carbon Dioxide Emissions

0200,000,000400,000,000600,000,000800,000,000

1,000,000,0001,200,000,0001,400,000,0001,600,000,0001,800,000,0002,000,000,000

M etric Tonnes

Year


Emissions from Cement ProductionEmissions from Cement Production

Portland cement used in construction is made from carbonate.

The process of calcination involves driving off chemically bound CO2 with heat.

CaCO3 →CaO + ↑CO2 ∆

Heating also requires energy.– 94% of energy is still derived from fossil fuels.– Fuel oil, coal and natural gas are directly or indirectly burned to

produce the energy required releasing CO2.

The production of cement for concretes accounts for around 10%(1) of global anthropogenic CO2.

(1) Pearce, F., "The Concrete Jungle Overheats", New Scientist, 19 July, No 2097, 1997 (page 14).


Average Embodied Energy in BuildingsAverage Embodied Energy in Buildings

Downloaded from www.dbce.csiro.au/ind-serv/brochures/embodied/embodied.htm (last accessed 07 March 2000)

But because so much is used there is a huge opportunity for sustainability by reducing the embodied energy, reducing the carbon debt (net emissions) and improving properties.

Most of the embodied energy in the built environment is in concrete.


Landfill – The Visible Legacy of Not RecyclingLandfill – The Visible Legacy of Not Recycling

Landfill is the technical term for filling large holes in the ground with waste. Landfills release methane, can cause ill health in the area, lead to the contamination of land, underground water, streams and coastal waters and give rise to various nuisances including increased traffic, noise, odours, smoke, dust, litter and pests.


TecEco Binders - Utilising WastesTecEco Binders - Utilising Wastes An important objective should be to make cementitious

composites that can utilise wastes. TecEco cements provide a benign environment suitable

for waste immobilisation. Many wastes such as fly ash, sawdust , shredded plastics

etc. can improve a property or properties of the cementitious composite.

There are huge materials flows in both wastes and building and construction. TecEco technology leads the world in the race to incorporate wastes in cementitous composites


The Impact of TecEco TechnologyThe Impact of TecEco TechnologyTecEco magnesian cement technology will be

pivotal in bringing about sustainability in the built environment.– Tec-Cements Develop Significant Early Strength even

with Added Supplementary Materials. Around 25 = 30% less binder is required for the same strength.

– Eco-cements carbonate sequestering CO2

– Both tec and eco=cements provide a benign low pH environment for hosting large quantities of waste

The CO2 released by calcined carbonates used to make binders can be captured using TecEco kiln technology.


TecEco Challenging the WorldTecEco Challenging the World The TecEco technology is new and not yet fully

characterised. TecEco cement technology offers

– a new tool– sustainability in the built environment not previously considered

possible. The world desperately needs a way of sequestering large

volumes of CO2 such as made possible by eco-cements. Formula rather than performance based standards are

preventing the development of new and better materials based on mineral binders.

TecEco challenge universities governments and construction authorities to quantify performance in comparison to ordinary Portland cement and other competing materials.

We at TecEco will do our best to assist. Negotiations are underway in many countries to organise

supplies to allow such scientific endeavour to proceed.

Documents

Victorian Sustainability Conference