Cement Carbonation Under Fermentation Conditions as a Tool for CO 2 Emission Management—Technological, Environmental and Economic Analysis

Michał Pyzalski (), Michał Juszczyk, Karol Durczak, Dariusz Sala, Joanna Duda, Marek Dudek and Leonas Ustinovičius
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Michał Pyzalski: Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Michał Juszczyk: Institute of Sustainable Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Karol Durczak: Institute of Sustainable Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Dariusz Sala: Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Joanna Duda: Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Marek Dudek: Faculty of Management, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Leonas Ustinovičius: Institute of Sustainable Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-32

Abstract: The aim of this study is an interdisciplinary assessment of the potential of cement pastes to permanently bind carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) under anaerobic digestion conditions, considering technological, microstructural, environmental, and economic aspects. The research focused on three types of Portland cement: CEM I 52.5N, CEM I 42.5R-1, and CEM I 42.5R-2, differing in phase composition and reactivity, which were evaluated in terms of their carbonation potential and resistance to chemically aggressive environments. The cement pastes were prepared with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.5 and subjected to 90-day exposure in two environments: a reference environment (tap water) and a fermentation environment (aqueous suspension of poultry manure simulating biogas reactor conditions). XRD, TG/DTA, SEM/EDS, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were applied to analyze CO 2 mineralization, phase changes, and microstructural evolution. XRD results revealed a significant increase in calcite content (e.g., for CEM I 52.5N from 5.9% to 41.1%) and the presence of vaterite (19.3%), indicating intense carbonation under organic conditions. TG/DTA analysis confirmed a reduction in portlandite and C-S-H phases, suggesting their transformation into stable carbonate forms. SEM observations and EDS analysis revealed well-developed calcite crystals and the dominance of Ca, C, and O, confirming effective CO 2 binding. In control samples, hydration products predominated without signs of mineralization. The highest sequestration potential was observed for CEM I 52.5N, while cements with higher C 3 A content (e.g., CEM I 42.5R-2) exhibited lower chemical resistance. The results confirm that carbonation under fermentation conditions may serve as an effective tool for CO 2 emission management, contributing to improved durability of construction materials and generating measurable economic benefits in the context of climate policy and the EU ETS. The article highlights the need to integrate CO 2 sequestration technologies with emission management systems and life cycle assessment (LCA) of biogas infrastructure, supporting the transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Keywords: cement carbonation; CO 2 sequestration; CO 2 storage; CO 2 capture; methane fermentation; microstructure; organic environment; Portland cement; CO 2 emission management; environmental economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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