Researchers Develop Alkali-Free Liquid Accelerator For Concrete

Researchers Develop Alkali-Free Liquid Accelerator for Concrete

A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley has developed an alkali-free liquid accelerator that can speed up the hardening of concrete without causing significant environmental damage. The innovation could help reduce the carbon footprint of the building industry, which is responsible for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, by eliminating the need for traditional alkaline-based accelerators.

The team has been investigating materials science and chemistry to find an alternative to alkali-generating chemicals that are typically used to accelerate the hardening of concrete. The researchers noted that alkali-generating chemicals can cause significant environmental damage when they leach into soil and surface water. They can also create instability in the concrete itself due to the formation of secondary salts and the resulting expansion of concrete.

They experimented with a liquid accelerator made of blends of calcium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, and water. The team found that this mixture was highly effective in speeding up the initial hardening of concrete while also reducing the carbon footprint of the process. The team noted that the levels of environmental harm caused by the alkali-free liquid were negligible.

The team is now investigating ways to optimize the material to increase its long-term strength properties. They are also seeking industry partners to help commercialize the technology and bring it to market.

The research comes at a time of growing focus on reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector. Concrete production alone is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, and this figure is expected to rise as the demand for construction materials increases in developing countries. Innovations like the alkali-free liquid accelerator are vital if we are to meet ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change.