Novel technology to upcycle calcium silicate for cement materials

CMI researchers from FIPR Institute, Florida Polytechnic University conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation 
Novel hydrothermal synthesis process will be used to make low-energy low-carbon-footprint cement from phosphogypsum (PG).

Achievement

  • CaCO3 was synthesized using different forms of PG waste.
  • First step in the two-step process to make cement materials from PG.

Significance and Impact

  • CaCO3 enables the production of cementitious materials via hydrothermal reaction with silica.
  • Co-production of construction materials will valorize efforts to recover Rare Earth Elements (REE) from PG.
  • Next step is to improve CaCO3 yield in purified PG from 72.57% to 95%.

Hub Target Addressed 
Diversify and expand the supply of materials in the appropriate quantities needed for the clean energy transition.