Development of a Low Carbon and Economically Competitive Cement

The project aims to stabilise a more reactive polymorph of belite, the major silicate constituent of CŠA cement. This reactive polymorph, known as alpha prime belite, contributes towards a cement’s strength properties at an earlier age (1-3 days) than the conventionally present belite (>7 days). The fundamental mechanism of stabilisation using the GORD patented process has already been established and demonstrated at lab scale with the use of doping agents. The objectives of the project are: (i) Determination of the optimum condition and stabilisation mechanisms of alpha prime belite through lab scale investigations with the objective of subsequent upscale for pilot production; (ii) Development of a predictive thermodynamic equilibrium model to accelerate the experimental investigation at both lab scale and pilot scale, (iii) Integration of a carbon footprint calculation model into the aforementioned equilibrium model which produces environmental context for designed formulations, (iv) Development of a combined life-cycle and cost analysis model for the assessment of the novel process’ economic and environmental performance, (v) Pilot scale CSA production trials to demonstrate the developed process’ applicability in an industrial environment.

Participants: Gulf Organisation for Research and Development QSTP LLC, GORD (Coordinator), Fundación IMDEA Energía, Bauhaus University Weimar, University of Aberdeen
Funding institution/Program: Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), National Priorities Research Program – Standard (NRRP-S), grant NPRP12S-0319-190413.
Call: Request for proposals (RFP) 12th cycle
Period: February 2020 – February 2024
Principal Investigator: Dr. José Luis Gálvez Martos