Assessing the potential of using biobased approaches to lower carbon footprint in concrete production

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Abstract

Cement production accounts for nearly 10% anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Despite the need to reduce emissions, the demand for cement for concrete production remains high due to population growth and urbanization. However, there are opportunities through concrete life cycle to decarbonize the industry. Some strategies include optimizing energy-intensive cement plants, using alternative bio-based binders instead of clinker, and incorporating recycled materials throughout the life cycle. In this context this paper aims to analyze the biobased strategies to reduce carbon footprint of concrete production using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA was conducted four phases: goal and scope definition, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) and Interpretation. LCA was carried out using the software OpenLCA, LCI included concrete production as well as upstream process and raw materials impact based on secondary database. LCIA was performed using midpoint impact categories from RECIPE LCIA methodology. Four scenarios were considered to assess different strategies for concrete production: Reference scenario using conventional concrete, scenario 2 considering 50% of biobased sources as fuel, scenario 3 using 100% biobased fuel, scenario 4 using of bio-based polymers as binding materials. The results indicate that the baseline scenario, which represents the current condition of the conventional concrete production process resulted in 306 tonCO2eq, whereas scenarios 2, 3, obtained respectively: 180, 55 tonCO2eq, respectively. Scenario 4 resulted in 678 tonCO2eq. This unexpected result for scenario 4 is due to the production of biobased polymers which still demands lots of energy normally supplied by fossil fuels combustion. LCA results reveals that based on the current technological status biobased fuels seems to be the most promising approach to lower concrete carbon footprint. Further developments and scalability in biobased binders can be potential way to complement renewable fuels in future research.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2024
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventXI Simpósio em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental - Erechim, Brazil
Duration: 6 Nov 20248 Nov 2024

Conference

ConferenceXI Simpósio em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CityErechim
Period06/11/202408/11/2024

Keywords

  • LCA
  • GHG emissions
  • Green construction

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