NETL researchers develop coal-derived cement additive

“By using abundant coal feedstocks, we are synthesising graphene that is 50¬ -100 times less expensive than the usual method of using graphite,” said Yuan Gao, Ph.D., who works on NETL’s functional materials team. “Graphene created from graphite is too expensive to be feasible for commercial-scale cement applications, but our lower-cost, coal-derived graphene represents a critical first step for commercialisation.”

This research has attracted industry interest, and among other partnerships, the Lab launched a co-operative research and development agreement in 2018 with Ramaco Carbon, a vertically integrated coal technology company based in Wyoming, US. NETL has also leveraged a strategic partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 that is enabling research on new ways to use coal, in order to create high-value products.

“Beyond just making stronger and more durable building materials, we will soon be investigating how the NETL additive affects the thermal and electrical properties of cement,” said Gao. “Thermally conductive concrete could have applications in radiant concrete floor or pavement systems so that buildings could be heated or cooled, and walkways could be easily de-iced. Electrically conductive cements could incorporate sensors to monitor building stress, environmental conditions or possible material failure.”

This work is one example of how NETL is expanding the US coal value chain and extracting the full potential of coal resources by manufacturing carbon products directly from coal, instead of using petrochemical or biomass feedstocks.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/product-news/29102019/netl-researchers-develop-coal-derived-cement-additive/