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Life cycle assessment of geopolymer concrete

Abstract:

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Geopolymer Concrete (GC) was elaborated after scaling up the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) from laboratory scale to industrial scale. The most relevant raw materials and processes contributing to its environmental performance were identified. Besides, the influence in the environmental impacts of both, the electricity generation mix considered (2012 and 2018 energy mix for Ecuador), and the source of alkali activators (produced in Ecuador and imported from Europe), was demonstrated. The production of sodium hydroxide is the most relevant process in all life cycle impact categories. An energy mix with a higher contribution of hydroelectricity (2018 energy mix: 85% hydroelectricity) entails favorable results. The differences between locally produced and imported sodium hydroxide are the energy mix considered (Ecuadorian vs. average European), and the type of sodium chloride used as raw material (obtained through seawater evaporation in Ecuador vs. solution and rock mining in Europe). GC entails an environmental performance advantage compared to a conventional concrete (CC) if the following two conditions are applied: sodium hydroxide is produced using local solar salt, and the electricity mix is the expected energy mix for 2018 in Ecuador. Under this condition, Global Warming Potential (GWP) characterization for GC is 64% lower than CC.