Ellis Gartner

Bio: Ellis Gartner is an academic researcher from Imperial College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cement & Portland cement. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 112 publications receiving 5881 citations. Previous affiliations of Ellis Gartner include Lafarge & W. R. Grace and Company.

Industrially interesting approaches to “low-CO2” cements ☆

Abstract: This article discusses the practicality of replacing portland cements with alternative hydraulic cements that could result in lower total CO 2 emissions per unit volume of concrete of equivalent performance. Currently, the cement industry is responding rapidly to the perceived societal need for reduced CO 2 emissions by increasing the production of blended portland cements using supplementary cementitious materials that are principally derived from industrial by-products, such as blast-furnace slags and coal combustion fly ashes. However, the supplies of such by-products of suitable quality are limited. An alternative solution is to use natural pozzolans, although they must still be activated either by portland cement or lime or by alkali silicates or hydroxides, the production of all of which still involves significant CO 2 emissions. Moreover, concretes based on activated pozzolans often require curing at elevated temperatures, which significantly limits their field of application. The most promising alternative cementing systems for general concrete applications at ambient temperatures currently appear to be those based at least in part on calcium sulfates, the availability of which is increasing due to the widespread implementation of sulfur dioxide emission controls. These include calcium sulfoaluminate–belite–ferrite cements of the type developed in China under the generic name “Third Cement Series” (TCS) and other similar systems that make good use of the potential synergies among calcium sulfate, calcium silicate and calcium aluminate hydrates. However, a great deal more research is required to solve significant unresolved processing and reactivity questions and to establish the durability of concretes made from such cements. If we are to use these potentially more CO 2 -efficient technologies on a large enough scale to have a significant global impact, we will also have to develop the performance data needed to justify changes to construction codes and standards.

Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-CO2 cement-based materials industry

Abstract: The main conclusions of an analysis of low-CO2, eco-efficient cement-based materials, carried out by a multi-stakeholder working group initiated by the United Nations Environment Program Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI) are presented, based on the white papers published in this special issue. We believe that Portland-based cement approaches will dominate in the near future due to economies of scale, levels of process optimisation, availability of raw materials and market confidence. Two product-based approaches can deliver substantial additional reductions in their global CO2 emissions, reducing the need for costly investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) over the next 20–30 years: 1. Increased use of low-CO2 supplements (SCMs) as partial replacements for Portland cement clinker. 2. More efficient use of Portland cement clinker in mortars and concretes. However, other emerging technologies could also play an important role in emissions mitigation in the longer term, and thus merit further investigation.

Sustainable Development and Climate Change Initiatives

Abstract: In the present paper we argue that the cement and concrete industry is contributing positively to the Climate Change Initiative by: ⁎ Continuously reducing the CO 2 emission from cement production by increased use of bio-fuels and alternative raw materials as well as introducing modified low-energy clinker types and cements with reduced clinker content. ⁎ Developing concrete compositions with the lowest possible environmental impact by selecting the cement type, the type and dosage of supplementary cementitious materials and the concrete quality to best suit the use in question. ⁎ Exploiting the potential of concrete recycling to increase the rate of CO 2 uptake. ⁎ Exploiting the thermal mass of concrete to create energy-optimized solutions for heating and cooling residential and office buildings.

Cement and carbon emissions

Abstract: Because of its low cost, its ease of use and relative robustness to misuse, its versatility, and its local availability, concrete is by far the most widely used building material in the world today. Intrinsically, concrete has a very low energy and carbon footprint compared to most other materials. However, the volume of Portland cement required for concrete construction makes the cement industry a large emitter of CO2. The International Energy Agency recently proposed a global CO2 reduction plan. This plan has three main elements: long term CO2 targets, a sectorial approach based on the lowest cost to society, and technology roadmaps that demonstrate the means to achieve the CO2 reductions. For the cement industry, this plan calls for a reduction in CO2 emissions from 2 Gt in 2007 to 1.55 Gt in 2050, while over the same period cement production is projected to increase by about 50 %. The authors of the cement industry roadmap point out that the extrapolation of existing technologies (fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and biomass, and clinker substitution) will only take us half the way towards these goals. According to the roadmap, the industry will have to rely on costly and unproven carbon capture and storage technologies for the other half of the required reduction. This will result in significant additional costs for society. Most of the CO2 footprint of cement is due to the decarbonation of limestone during the clinkering process. Designing new clinkers that require less limestone is one means to significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of cement and concrete. A new class of clinkers described in this paper can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 to 30 % when compared to the manufacture of traditional PC Clinker.

A review of alternative approaches to the reduction of CO2 emissions associated with the manufacture of the binder phase in concrete

Abstract: In this review we discuss a wide range of alternative approaches to the reduction of CO 2 emissions associated with the manufacture of the binder phase in concrete. They are classified broadly as follows: (1) Use alternative fuels and/or alternative raw materials in the manufacture of Portland-based cements. (2) Replace Portland clinker with “low-carbon” supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete. (3) Develop alternative low-carbon binders not based on Portland clinkers. The first approach mainly represents incremental improvements that can be achieved fairly easily and cheaply as long as suitable raw materials can be found. The second approach ranges from incremental improvements, if low levels of SCM substitution are used, all the way to major innovations for binders with very high Portland clinker replacement levels. The third approach is the most risky but also holds the greatest promise for truly significant CO 2 reductions if it can be implemented on a large scale.

Geopolymer technology: the current state of the art

Abstract: A brief history and review of geopolymer technology is presented with the aim of introducing the technology and the vast categories of materials that may be synthesized by alkali-activation of aluminosilicates. The fundamental chemical and structural characteristics of geopolymers derived from metakaolin, fly ash and slag are explored in terms of the effects of raw material selection on the properties of geopolymer composites. It is shown that the raw materials and processing conditions are critical in determining the setting behavior, workability and chemical and physical properties of geopolymeric products. The structural and chemical characteristics that are common to all geopolymeric materials are presented, as well as those that are determined by the specific interactions occurring in different systems, providing the ability for tailored design of geopolymers to specific applications in terms of both technical and commercial requirements.

Surface and Colloid Science

Abstract: 1: Magnetic Particles: Preparation, Properties and Applications: M. Ozaki. 2: Maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3): A Versatile Magnetic Colloidal Material C.J. Serna, M.P. Morales. 3: Dynamics of Adsorption and Oxidation of Organic Molecules on Illuminated Titanium Dioxide Particles Immersed in Water M.A. Blesa, R.J. Candal, S.A. Bilmes. 4: Colloidal Aggregation in Two-Dimensions A. Moncho-Jorda, F. Martinez-Lopez, M.A. Cabrerizo-Vilchez, R. Hidalgo Alvarez, M. Quesada-PMerez. 5: Kinetics of Particle and Protein Adsorption Z. Adamczyk.

The Role of Inorganic Polymer Technology in the Development of ‘Green Concrete’

Abstract: The potential position of and drivers for inorganic polymers (“geopolymers”) as an element of the push for a sustainable concrete industry are discussed. These materials are alkali-activated aluminosilicates, with a much smaller CO 2 footprint than traditional Portland cements, and display very good strength and chemical resistance properties as well as a variety of other potentially valuable characteristics. It is widely known that the widespread uptake of geopolymer technology is hindered by a number of factors, in particular issues to do with a lack of long-term (20+ years) durability data in this relatively young research field. There are also difficulties in compliance with some regulatory standards in Europe and North America, specifically those defining minimum clinker content levels or chemical compositions in cements. Work on resolving these issues is ongoing, with accelerated durability testing showing highly promising results with regard to salt scaling and freeze–thaw cycling. Geopolymer concrete compliance with performance-based standards is comparable to that of most other high-strength concretes. Issues to do with the distinction between geopolymers synthesised for cement replacement applications and those tailored for niche ceramic applications are also discussed. Particular attention is paid to the role of free alkali and silicate in poorly-formulated systems and its deleterious effects on concrete performance, which necessitates a more complete understanding of the chemistry of geopolymerisation for the technology to be successfully applied. The relationship between CO 2 footprint and composition in comparison with Portland-based cements is quantified.

Mechanisms of cement hydration

Abstract: The current state of knowledge of cement hydration mechanisms is reviewed, including the origin of the period of slow reaction in alite and cement, the nature of the acceleration period, the role of calcium sulfate in modifying the reaction rate of tricalcium aluminate, the interactions of silicates and aluminates, and the kinetics of the deceleration period. In addition, several remaining controversies or gaps in understanding are identified, such as the nature and influence on kinetics of an early surface hydrate, the mechanistic origin of the beginning of the acceleration period, the manner in which microscopic growth processes lead to the characteristic morphologies of hydration products at larger length scales, and the role played by diffusion in the deceleration period. The review concludes with some perspectives on research needs for the future.

Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions: A comparison between geopolymer and OPC cement concrete

Abstract: Concrete for construction has traditionally been based on an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) binder. Geopolymers, an alternative binder based on fly ash (a fine waste collected from the emissions liberated by coal burning power stations) that is activated by an alkaline activator, have potential to lower the significant carbon footprint of OPC concrete. This paper presents the results of comprehensive carbon footprint estimates for both geopolymer and OPC concrete, including energy expending activities associated with mining and transport of raw materials, manufacturing and concrete construction. Previous studies have shown a wide variation of reported emission estimates: the results of this study are benchmarked with data from those studies.