The big problem with cement, and how to fix it.

Consider a building with a moderate height of 30 stories and 100 meters.This size of high rise was almost definitely constructed with cement-containing concrete.

About 6,000 tons of cement in this instance.
4,600 metric tons of carbon were most likely released into the atmosphere during the production of that cement.That almost equates to the pollution produced by driving a car 12 million miles.Now divide that by all the structures on Earth.

Even then, the carbon imprint of cement would be missed.Consider the sidewalks we are using.numerous streets that you drive on.
huge portions of our energy infrastructure.
Power plants and dams.The manufacturing of cement alone is responsible for 8% of the world's carbon emissions, which is higher than the combined emissions of the shipping and aviation industries.The majority of those emissions now are a result of China's quick development.
China produced more cement in only two years than the US did in the whole 20th century.

As they enhance their infrastructure and build big cities, other developing nations will also need a lot of cement.In a few decades, we'll need to figure out how to construct a structure like this without emitting any emissions if we want to achieve net zero.Although difficult, there is a way.You are viewing a standard cement plant.Currently, there are ones like these operating in almost every continent.

All of the emissions from cement are produced in this rotating tube, called a kiln, and this tower, called a preheater.Burning fuel to heat the kiln results in about 40% of cement's emissions.In close proximity to the heat source, it reaches about 1450 °C.Limestone, clays, and other additives are thrown into the preheating tower.

The remaining 60% of emissions are caused by limestone releasing its stored carbon dioxide at this 850 degree temperature.
Is it possible to use less concrete altogether? is the first query regarding the decarbonization of cement.In design, we frequently utilize up to two or three times too much concrete.Simply put, structural engineers and architects utilize a lot of it.It improves reliability, doesn't affect the bottom line, and reduces the likelihood of lawsuits, fatalities, and other undesirable outcomes.

Concrete is valuable in a structure because of its compressive strength, or capacity to withstand significant weight.So, replacing its use in certain places is difficult.like pillars and foundations.However, we should decrease it elsewhere.I was at Scotland's brand-new parliament building, which was evidently built with greenhouse gasses in mind.Only when necessary was concrete utilized.

There was only ever a need for steel.
For the roof and other structural components that were not load bearing, laminated wood was also employed.Design that is environmentally friendly can definitely reduce cement's emissions.However, it won't be feasible in the near future to completely replace the concrete.Consequently, reducing the amount of extra concrete can reduce emissions from our high rise by about 26%.one analysis alone.

More work will be required, and the next step is to learn how cement is created.
One place to start is by taking a look at the 40% of emissions that are produced during kiln firing.Typically, cement manufacturing facilities heat the kiln to 1450 degrees Celsius using coal, petroleum coke, or natural gas.

Although you could electrify something, it's very difficult to heat something to that high of a temperature using electric heat.While others, like this Finnish upstart company, are making an effort.Cement plants have started burning various materials until we reach there.Cement plants benefit from the intense heat.

a location where rubbish, tires, or industrial waste can be burned.Any undesirables formed in this flame are essentially scrubbed away by the limestone, which also prevents them from being released into the atmosphere.Changing fuels can reduce emissions by about 7%.We still have a long way to go..