Biochar Enriched Concrete for Carbon Sequestration

Abstract: In upcoming years , a lot of construction is going to happen leading to more cement consumption and more GHG’s emissions by default as an embodied carbon. Reduction of cement consumption is possible by partially repacing it with biochar which is a by-product of pyrolysis of biomass or adding it as an additive in cement mortar and concrete for carbon sequestration. Biochar is effective in carbon sequestration activity and results in high water and carbon dioxide holding capacity. Increase in biochar lead to increase in carbon sequestration . As pozzolanic activity lead to strength gaining characteristics and durability of concrete, this study focusses on investigating pozzolanic activity of biochar. Biomass considered in this study were walnut shells and pretreatment was done with 0.1 N HCl and and pozzolanic activity is checked by chapelle test by observing Ca(OH)2 fixation during the titration. It was observed that increase in temperature or Normality of HCl in pretreatment does not enhance pozzolanic activity of biochar . Hence pretreatment with 0.1 N HCl at room temperature for an hour is sufficient to enhance the pozzolanic activity of biochar with much high carbon dioxide sorption as compared to usual concrete without compromising with the strength of concrete. This study reclaims the potential use of biochar in concrete is reliable for carbon sequestration.