Reducing CO2 from cement production

 

Burning fossil fuels for energy production is the main way that humans are putting CO2 into the atmosphere. But the second-best way is making concrete. 

This new tech might be a way to cut down on that pathway.

Researchers find use of olivine in cement production could result in carbon negative concrete

"Prior research has shown that cement-making is one of the major contributors to the release of CO2, and it happens in two ways. The first is when fossil fuels are used to heat products used in the mix (clay, water and calcined lime) when creating cement. The second is when limestone is heated to produce clinker, a cement binder. In this new study, the research team found a replacement for clinker that does not result in CO2 emissions."

"The researchers found that adding products [made] from olivine to cement mix instead of the clinker resulted in a cement that was not only more Earth-friendly, but also stronger and more durable. They note that olivine is an abundant mineral that contains silica and magnesium sulfate, which can be extracted and which also reacts with CO2, resulting in sequestration."

So, I hope that works. Plus, olivine can be pretty under the right circumstances, when it's called "peridot".