Low-emission cement clinker precursor production, enabled by electrolytic extraction of calcium from waste cement.

ABSTRACT: We report here the electrochemical production of cement clinker precursor, containing calcium derived from the electrolytic decomposition of waste cement. Our "cement recycler" contains a cement electrolyzer, coupled to a cement digestion vessel, and a Ca(OH)₂ isolation vessel. The cement electrolyzer creates acid and base equivalents, and converts waste cement into Ca(OH)₂ and SiO₂. The electrolyzer was demonstrated at current densities up to 300 mA cm^-2 to produce yields higher than 80% for Ca(OH)₂. We experimentally verified a 99.8% reduction in CO₂ emissions when using fresh waste cement, and an 80% reduction when using aged cement (enriched in CO₂ due to atmospheric carbonation) from a demolition site. Our ce

SUBMITTER: Ji T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541047 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature