Characteristics of CO2 and Energy-Saving Concrete with Porous Feldspar

Abstract

In this study, to reduce the use of cement and sand, porous feldspar with excellent economic efficiency was used as a substitute in the heat storage concrete layer. When porous feldspar and four other silicate minerals were used as substitute materials for sand in cement mortar, the specimen with the porous feldspar exhibited approximately 16–63% higher compressive strength, thereby exhibiting a higher reactivity with cement compared to the other minerals. To compensate for the reduction in strength owing to the decreased cement content, mechanical and chemical activation methods were employed. When the specific surface area of porous feldspar was increased, the unit weight was reduced by approximately 30% and the compressive strength was increased by up to 90%. In addition, the results of the thermal diffusion test confirmed that thermal diffusion increased owing to a reduction in the unit weight; the heat storage characteristics improved owing to the better porosity of feldspar. When chemical activation was performed after reducing the cement content by 5% and replacing the sand with porous feldspar, the compressive strength was found to be approximately twice that of an ordinary cement mortar. In a large-scale model experiment, the heat storage layer containing the porous feldspar exhibited better heat conduction and heat storage characteristics than the heat storage layer composed of ordinary cement mortar. Additionally, energy savings of 57% were observed.