Biocement production from silicon-rich plant residues: Perspectives and future potential in Canada

The cement industry produces about 5% of the global anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Global demand for cement is forecast to grow by 4.7% annually, which will increase CO2 emissions. One way to mitigate the CO2 generated during cement manufacturing is to use biocement. Biocement is a blend of bio-silica, produced from combustion of organic residues, with Portland cement. Biocement requires less energy intensive clinker, with its related carbon emission, to produce a good cementing agent. Small scale biocement production in tropical areas has shown that blending cement with bio-silica can have environmental, economic and technical benefits. It is also found that a number of crops grown in temperate regions of Canada with high silicon concentration and calorific content have the potential to make biocement. In addition, the combustion process can be integrated into energy production to simultaneously gain the energy and the bio-silica ash. The results indicated that switchgrass, barley, oat and sunflower produce silicon-rich residues and could be good candidates to consider for both energy and biocement production in Canada.

► Reviews the potential for biocement production in Canada. ► Biocement blends bio-silica, from combusted organic residues, with Portland cement. ► Silicon-rich ash of rice and tropical plants produces strong, durable biocement. ► Potential bio-silica sources in Canada are switchgrass, barley, oat and sunflower. ► Combustion of silicon-rich plant residues with clinker could reduce CO2 emissions.