3 ms·

I wish we could engineer a way to use all the heat from nuclear reactors for this purpose.

• jjk166 5y ago
  Unfortunately about 60% of CO2 emissions from cement production is simply the CO2 released from the conversion of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) to lime (CaO). You need carbon capture no matter what, so capturing emissions from the heat production as well is likely far more economical than modifying a plant to use a totally different process heat source. Further, nuclear is simply not a good option for this application. Cement kilns need to reach 1,450 C, while reactor temperatures are limited to about 950 C.
  • pengaru 5y ago
    > Unfortunately about 60% of CO2 emissions from cement production is simply the CO2 released from the conversion of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) to lime (CaO). Isn't this irrelevant? It's not like we just produce cement to stockpile it indefinitely. When it's mixed with water and used to construct useful things, that CO2 comes back out of the atmosphere as it "cures". What am I missing here?
    • jjk166 5y ago
      Cement curing only absorbs about 30% of the CO2 released. The cement doesn't turn 100% back into calcium carbonate. Only the surface of the grains get exposed to the water and CO2 necessary to cure.