Enhancing carbon sequestration in cement mortar using high volume local rice husk biochar coupled with carbonation curing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2024
Abstract
In recent times, considerable attention has been devoted to investigating the viability of utilizing sustainable alternatives derived from agricultural waste to partially replace cement in the construction industry. The vast rice plantations in Malaysia produce a substantial amount of rice husk waste, which can be converted into biochar and incorporating it into cement concrete products. Biochar is known for its carbon sequestration potential. Thus, the study presents the investigations on high dosages of locally produced rice husk biochar (RHB) as cement replacement, specifically at 10, 20, 30 and 40 % by volume. The experiment focuses on reusage of rice husk waste and enhancing the carbon sequestration ability of cement concrete. The addition of RHB improves and facilitates carbonation process, as evidenced by the increased in the carbonation depth and degree of carbonation. There is an improved CO2 uptake with RHB-added mortar up to 46.2 % compared to the control mortar. Saturated RHB-added mortar demonstrates the highest CO2 uptake of 17.1 %, higher than unsaturated RHB-added mortar. Besides, the carbonated mortars exhibit higher strength than water-cured specimens, resolving the strength issue with higher RHB addition. Overall, the optimum RHB replacement at 20 % contributes to higher carbon uptake and an improved strength in cement mortar through carbonation curing.
Keywords
Rice husk biochar, High volume replacement, Carbonation curing, Carbon sequestration, Compressive strength, Saturated biochar
Divisions
sch_civ,nanotechnology
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) (FRGS/1/2022/TK01/UM/02/2)
Publication Title
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Volume
21
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS