Researchers at QUT have developed a simple way to use the gas released as a by product of cement creation to create more cement.
At present, nearly 900 kilograms of carbon dioxide is emitted for over a thousand kilograms of cement. The cement industry contributes seven percent to overall emissions and this figure is expected to grow as urbanisation continues to increase.
Project manager Professor Anthony O’Mullane says the process is perfect for the concrete industry to reduce its carbon footprint.
“We use an electrochemical cell to split the water molecules, which makes an alkaline solution, which forms carbonate ions in the solution,” he said.