International

Volume   Journal
II Number 2 2011for Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation
[23-28]
Volume III No.
[ISSN 0975 1 2012 [30 – 37]
- 6272] [ISSN 0975 - 6272] 

  Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC

 

 
Vinay Deulkar1, Manish Verma2, Umesh Pendharkar3

Received: March 23, 2012 ⏐ Accepted: May 10, 2012 ⏐ Online: July 27, 2012

Abstract
Around 26 billion tons of CO2 are released to durability and rheology. This paper discusses
the atmosphere annually, around 20 billion the potential impact on sustainability of the
metric Tons of which is from the burning of new eco-cement Technologies for
fossil fuels and close to a significant 2 billion sustainability and comparison of physical
tones from the production of Portland cement. properties of Eco Cement with Ordinary
Over two tons of concrete are produced per Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland
person on the planet per annum. There by pozzolana cement. It also discusses the amount
causing the greenhouse gases are increasing in of CO2 absorb by Eco cement in comparison
the environment this is the major problem with OPC and PPC.
arising for world .this problem cannot be
reduced but this can be minimized by eco Keywords: Brucite ⏐ durability ⏐ reactive
friendly material eco cement. magnesium oxide ⏐ reactive magnesia ⏐
Eco-cements are hydraulic cements containing Portland cement ⏐ Portland pozzolana cement
15-20% reactive magnesia. When this reactive
magnesia react with opc a brucite is form this
Introduction
is capable of absorbing co2 from environment.
The most important characteristic of eco- Eco-Cement is made by heating magnesite in a
cements is absorption of CO2 from atmosphere. kiln to produce reactive magnesium oxide
Other properties affected include shrinkage, (magnesia). That magnesia powder is then
added to a conventional Portland cement mix
which, in turn, can be mixed with aggregates,
For correspondence: in the usual fashion, to make Eco-Cement.
1
Ujjain Engineering College Ujjain, M.P. Eco-Cement hydrates in permeable substrates,
2
Medicaps Institute of Science and Technology, Indore using mix water, then carbonates. The more
3
School of Engineering & Technology, Vikram University magnesia added and the more permeable it is,
Ujjain, M.P.
the more CO2 the Eco-Cement absorbs. An
E-mail: vinay_deulkar@yahoo.co.in Eco-Cement concrete block typically takes up

Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC

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[ISSN 0975 - 6272] Vinay et al.

to one year to carbonate fully, occurring A. Chemical Reaction of Eco Cement

quickly at first and then slowing as the process
MgCO3 MgO + ↓CO2 - Efficient low
continues. Furthermore, should an Eco-Cement
temperature calcinations
structure reach its end-of-life or become
obsolete, it can be almost fully recycled back MgO + H2O Mg (OH)2 – Hydration
into cement. Mg (OH)2 + ↓CO2 + 2H2O → MgCO3 + 3H2O
As we know that, incorporating pozzolans into – Carbonation
cement mixtures is common practice, but In the cycle of chemical reaction of eco cement
because Portland is alkaline there are strict it does not take much energy to go from one
limits. Magnesium-based cements, however, state to another, it occurs at low temperature.
are significantly less alkaline, leaving room for Magnesium Oxide which hydrates to
much larger amounts of bulking material magnesium hydroxide and then carbonates is
without compromising structural integrity. ideal for scrubbing CO2 out of the air and
“We can probably get three of four times more sequestering the gas into the built environment.
waste into our cement than Portland cement,”
Methodology in Manufacturing the Eco
Mr. Harrison has said buildings could become
Cement
massive ‘carbon stores’.
1. Magnesite (a compound of magnesium) is
How do Eco-Cements work?
obtained from quires and then it heated in a
Eco -Cement is made by blending a small kiln to around 600 to 750 degrees C. The
amount of reactive magnesia with conventional lower firing temperature of the Tec-Kiln
hydraulic cements like Portland cement. As the makes it easier to use free energy such as
magnesia hydrates it consumes water forming wind or solar or even waste energy and Tec
brucite hydrates which can later deliver more Eco plan to make a kiln that does not use
water for the more complete hydration of other fossil fuels and in which the CO2 gases
hydraulic cement components adding to long produced from the magnesium carbonate as
term strength development. We maintain that it decomposes is captured and contained
lime should not be allowed to remain in for further use or safe disposal.
concrete as it is far too mobile and reactive.
2. Eco cement also wants to grind in the hot
Put some in your next cup of tea if you do not
area of his kiln for increased efficiency.
believe this! In Tec-Cement concretes lime
produced as a result of the hydration of 3. The heating process produces reactive
Portland cement is consumed by what is magnesia.
known as the pozzolanic reaction with silica 4. The reactive magnesia (powder) is added
and alumina and replaced by brucite which is in ordinary Portland cement.
magnesium hydroxide and a much more stable
5. The resulting blended powder is eco
and less soluble alkali. The result is that
Cement.
durability is significantly improved. Many
other properties of concrete are favorably For experimental work of this paper the
affected including the flow characteristics readymade the reactive magnesia (MgO
(rheology) and dimensional change.

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powder) available in market is added in OPC B. Standard Consistency Test

about 15%.
This is the test conducted to estimate the
Comparison of Physical Properties quantity of water to be mixed in cement to
form a paste of normal consistency for use in
For the comparison of physical properties of
other tests. The conventional method of Vicat
Eco cement, about 15% MgO powder is
apparatus is used. Three trials are taken for all
properly mixed with the OPC. For this
three samples of cements, for different
preparation the MgO powder is produced from
percentage of water. The standard consistency
the chemical shop. Other two samples OPC 53
found for all samples is under-
grade and PPC were used. All general physical
properties of Eco cement are checked and
compared with the ordinary Portland cement Type of standard
S. No.
and Portland pozzolana cement as under. Cement consistency
A. Fineness Test 01 OPC 41 %
The Sieve test is preferred for this purpose. 02 PPC 38 %
Weigh correctly 100 grams of all three
samples, took it on IS sieve No. 09 (90 03 Eco Cement 40 %
microns). Break down the air set lumps in the
Table II: Standard consistency 
samples with the fingers. Continuously sieving
has been done in circular and vertical motion The above observations shows the standard
for the period of 15 minutes. The residue left consistency of OPC, PPC and Eco cement was
on the sieve was weighed. Three samples of found nearly same from different trials.
each cement that is PPC, OPC and Eco cement
C. Soundness Test
was checked, the average results are as under-
It is very important that the cement after
setting shall not undergo any appreciable
change of volume. This will cause serious
Type of Average difficulties for durability of structures when
S. No.
Cement residue left unsound cement is used. The testing of
soundness of the cement, to ensure that the
01 OPC 4.5 %
cement does not show any appreciable
02 PPC 3.5 % subsequent expansion is of prime importance.
The unsoundness of the cement is due to
03 Eco Cement 2% excess of lime and magnesia or excessive
proportion of the sulphates. As Eco cement
Table I: Results of fineness test on cement samples 
contains percentage of magnesia more than
As per standers the residue should not be more OPC and PPC there may be fear of
than 10%. But it is observed that Eco cement is unsoundness, so this test become very essential
finer than PPC and OPC. while comparing the Eco cement with other
  types of cements. The soundness of all there

Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC

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samples of cements are tested by using the Le- time cement paste, mortar, or concrete should
Chatelier apparatus. There samples of each be in plastic condition. The time interval for
cement sample is boiled with the Le-Chatelier which the cement product remains in plastic
mould. The differences between the initial and condition is known as the initial setting time.
final distance of indicator points were noted. Normally a minimum of 30 minutes is given
The average results are as under – for mixing and handling operations. Once the
concrete is placed in the final position,
compacted and finished, it should lose its
Average differences plasticity in the earliest possible time so that it
Type of between the initial is least vulnerable to damage from external
S. No.
Cement and final distance of destructive agencies. This time should not be
indicator points more than 10 hours, which often referred as
final setting time.
01 OPC 2.33 mm
Initial Setting Time Test: For this test
02 PPC 1.67 mm conventional Vicat Apparatus is used with as
usual procedure –
Eco
03 3.00 mm
Cement
Type of Initial Setting
Table III: Soundness of cement samples
S. No.
Cement Time
Here from the observation the eco cement is
looking somewhat unsound in comparison with 01 OPC 115 Minutes
OPC and PPC. But as per the standard the
02 PPC 190 Minutes
average differences between the initial and
final distance of indicator points of Le- 03 Eco Cement 135 Minutes
Chatelier mould must not exceed 10 mm, so
though the expansion of Eco cement is slightly
Table IV: Initial setting time
more but it is well within the limit, so Eco
cement can’t stated as unsound. Final Setting Time Test: For this test also
D. Setting Time Test conventional Vicat Apparatus is used with as
usual procedure -
The initial setting time is regarded as the time
elapsed between the moment that the water is
added to the cement, to the time that the paste Type of Final Setting
S. No.
starts losing its plasticity. The final setting time Cement Time
when the paste is completely lost its plasticity
01 OPC 175 Minutes
and has attained sufficient firmness to resist
certain pressure. In actual construction dealing 02 PPC 310 Minutes
with cement paste, mortar or concrete certain
time is required for mixing, transporting, 03 Eco Cement 290 Minutes
placing, compacting and finishing. During this
Table V: Final setting time
Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC
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finally 28 days of curing. The results are

tabulated under-
As per IS 12269 – 1987 (for OPC) and IS 1489
(Part 1): 1991 (for PPC) initial setting time in Average
minutes shall not be less than 30 and final Days Compressive
setting time shall not be more than 600. The S. Cement
of Strength of
both setting times of Eco cement are within the No. sample
Curing three cubes in
limits of 30 minutes and 600 minutes. Mpa
E. Compressive Strength Test
OPC 29.75
The compressive strength of hardened cement
03
is the most important of all the properties. 01 PPC 25.82
Days
Therefore, it is not surprising that the cement is
always tested for its strength at the laboratory Eco 24.50
before the cement is used for important works.
OPC 38.91
Strength test are not be made on neat cement
paste because of difficulties of excessive 07
02 PPC 31.50
shrinkage and subsequent cracking of neat Days
cement. Strength of cement is indirectly found Eco 30.00
on cement sand mortar in specific proportions.
The standard sand is used for finding the OPC 54.28
strength of cement. It shall conform to IS 650 – 28
03 PPC 37.28
1991. For checking the compressive strength of Days
all three samples of cements that is OPC, PPC Eco 36.61
and Eco cement 555 grams of standard sand,
185 grams of cement sample has been taken. It Table VI: Compressive Strength of Cement Samples
means ratio of cement to sand was 1:3. The
amount of water + 3.0 percent of combined According to IS 12269 – 1987 the minimum
weight of cement and sand and mixed the three compressive strength of OPC 53 grade should
ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is of be 27 MPa in 03 days, 37 MPa in 07 days and
uniform color. The time of mixing kept 53 MPa in 28 days of curing. And as per IS
between 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately after 1489 (Part 1) 1991 the minimum compressive
mixing, the mortar is filled into a standard cube strength of PPC should be 16 MPa in 03 days,
of size 7.06 cm, the area of the face of the cube 22 MPa in 07 days and 33 MPa in 28 days of
was equal to 50 square centimeters. curing. For OPC and PPC the testing of
Compaction is done by standard specified compressive strength meets the norms of
manner. Nine cube of each sample of cement standards. For Eco cement no standard norms
that is OPC, PPC and Eco cement are prepared are available, but from testing it is observed
and kept for curing in the tank. Three cubes of that the compressive strength of the Eco
each cement sample are tested after 3, 7 and cement is less than OPC but its strength is very
nearer to PPC. It means where strength criteria
has prime important but using PPC it can be
Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC
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replaced by Eco cement to achieve its other known in this field and ISO 9001 : 2008
benefits. certified company.
Measurement of CO2 absorbed by the 1) RB flask B-19, 250 ml
cement sample product 2) Adaptor 1030 with socket B-19, cone B-19
It is theoretically clear that due to excess MgO 3) Bottle gas washing B-29, 250ml
the Eco cement will absorb more CO2 as
compare to other cements. To demonstrate this 4) Funnel separating Cone B-19
comparison a set has been developed in the Procedure adopted:
laboratory. Instead of measuring CO2 level
1) Take nearly 75 to 100 ml of lime water in
from Air of closed chamber or container it will
the gas washing bottle and weigh iit with the
measure the amount of CO2 absorbed by
help of chemical balance correctly. Note down
product of Eco cement and other cement. For
the initial weight of bottle with lime water.
this purpose set up of lime water and CO2
reaction was developed in the laboratory. We 2) Take about 10 to 15 grams of power of
can measure the amount of calcium carbonate cement product, pour it in the round base (RB)
[CaCO3] precipitated due to lime water and flask and assemble as shown in the figure.
CO2 reaction as under – 3) Add nearly 100 ml of dilute H2SO4 from
Ca (OH) 2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O dropping funnel till it shows effloresces. It
(lime water) (white precipitate) generates the carbon dioxide gas which will
pass through con. H2SO4 initially which
Reagents required: 1) Con. H2SO4 – foe
absorbs the H2O vapors. Later on it will bubble
washing the gas CO2 and absorb the water
in the bottle of lime water. Due reaction of
vapors.
CO2 with lime water, lime water turns to
2) Dilute H2SO4 – dilute 1:4. Add acid to the cloudy milky.
water and stir it continuously.
4) To check the saturation of the lime water
3) Lime water – Add excess of water to the extra test tube filled with lime water again can
lime keep for overnight, decant and filter it be attached to the out let of the bottle. When
properly. the lime water in the test tube starts become
4) Powder of cement product – powder cement milky it shows the saturation in bottle of lime
product of 28 days cured and kept open in air water.
for 7 days. For this purpose the cubes which 5) Weigh the lime water bottle after
were prepared for compressive strength test experiment. If the weight of lime water
was left for 7 day in open and then grind to get increases it shows the amount of CO2 from
the powder. cement product sample.
Glassware preferred: For proper The figure shows the detail demonstration of
demonstration of the experiment in laboratory the experiment. The extra test tube is also
the glassware of Agawal scientific glass shown in the figure to check the saturation of
industries (ASGI) are choose, which is well the lime water in the gas washing bottle.

Comparative study of Eco Cement with OPC and PPC

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Voluume III Numbe r 1 2012 [30 – 37]
[ISSN
N 0975 - 6272]] Vinay et al.

From m above ressults it is veryy clear now that due

to presence
p off more maggnesia Eco cement
absoorb about 700 to 80 perccent more CO2 from
the atmosphere. In OPC annd PPC onlyy CaO is
pressent with very less preseence of MgO O, as per
reacction (A) statted above thhe it will absoorb very
lesss amount off CO2 wherreas in Eco cement
MgO is presentt in more quaantity, so absorption
of CO
C 2 is greateer than OPC C and PPC. Reactive
R
maggnesia is a new tool thhat can reduuce CO2
andd water from m environm ment those are the
major problem m for a worrld. This magnesia
m
wheen mixed with
w OPC thee powder is formed
this powder is eco cement. The initiall cost of
Chemical Reactions: eco cement is high
h but this cost can be reduced
by large
l producction of cemeent. The maggnesium
O + CO2
(A) MgO → MgCO
O3 → M
Mgo carbbonate is eassily bring froom quarry when
w this
+ CO2↑ is burn in kiln magnesium
m is form.
(kept forr few days) (acid)
Con nclusion
(B) CaO + CO2 → C
CaCO3 → Fromm all this exxperimental Work the foollowing
CaO + CO
C 2↑ connclusions cann be made abbout the com
mparison
of Eco
E cement with w OPC annd PPC.
(kept for few
w days) (acid)
Abssorption of CO2 from the atmospphere is
Reactionn (A) is for OPC
O and PPC
C major advantagge of Eco ceement. It is justified
j
Reactionn (A) + (B) arre for Eco ceement. by using
u the deemonstrationn of lime water and
CO2. From the developed set s up the reaaction is
Results Obtained:
O carrried out on the all sam mples of the cement
prodducts. Fromm the results it is very cllear that
Weight Weigh ht due to presencee of more magnesia
m Ecoo cement
Weighht of
Typee of of bo
ottle of boottle
Absorrbed absoorb about 700 to 80 perccent more CO2 from
S. No.
N cemeent beforre after the atmospheree in compaarison of OPC O and
CO2
prod
duct reactiion reactiion PPCC. This cem ment is reccommended in that
(Gram
ms)
(Gramms) (Gram ms)
commponents of the construcction where the area
01 OPC 170.00 170.155 0.15 of exposure
e is greater as it absorbs the
t CO2
leveel form atmoosphere as the
t area of exposure
e
02 PPC 170.00 170.199 0.19
is more
m the actioon of Eco ceement is morre.
03 Eco 170.00 170.888 0.88
  As a major coonclusion wee can state that the
V Results of CO
Table VI: O2 Measuremennts
cem
ment with near abouut same physical p
propperties with grater envirronmental addvantage
can be manufaccture widely..

Compparative study of Eco Cemennt with OPC annd PPC

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References IS 12269 -1987 (Reaffirmed 1999) Indian

Standard Specification for the 53 Grade
Cole- 1295. , W. and Kroone, B. (1960).
Ordinary Portland cement
"Carbon dioxide in hydrated Portland
cement" American Concrete Institute IS 1489 (Part 1): 1991 Indian Standard
Journal 31(12): 1275 Portland Pozzolana Cement Specification

Beaudoin, J. J., Ramachandran, V. S., et al. D. A. Abrams, Design of Concrete Mixtures,

(1977). "Impregnation of Magnesium Bulletin 1, Structural Materials Research
Oxy chloride Cement with Sulfur" Laboratory, Lewis Institute, Chicago,
American Ceramic Society Bulletin 56: 1918.
424. "Carbon Dioxide Sequestration by Direct
Tec eco eco-cement masonry product update. Mineral Carbonation: Results from
By A John W Harrison Recent Studies and Current Status"
Proceedings of the 25th International
Tec, Eco and Enviro-Cements: New Markets
Technical Conference on Coal
for Reactive Magnesia John Harrison,
Utilization & Fuel Systems: 153 – 164
Managing Director, TecEco Pty Ltd,
Australia M. S. Shetty, Concrete Technology, Theory
and Practice, S. Chand & Company Ltd.
"The Concrete Jungle Overheats", New
New Delhi.
Scientist, vol 175 issue 2351, 19 July
2002,
 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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