Carbonation of steel slag at low CO2 concentrations: Novel biochar cold-bonded steel slag artificial aggregates

Carbonation technology resolves the volume expansion of steel slag by combining CO2 with f-CaO, but the previous stringent carbonation conditions (99%vol) significantly limit the application prospect of steel slag. To achieve the carbonation of steel slag at lower CO2 concentrations, a novel cold-bonded artificial aggregates (CASSAs) based on steel slag and biochar is produced in this paper. The carbon capture capacities of CASSAs with different biochar contents (5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%) are investigated in a low-CO2 concentration environment (10.79 % vol) and natural environment using the porosity and CO2 adsorption capacity of biochar. The changes in the performance of CASSAs before and after carbonation are investigated at different curing ages (7 d and 28 d). The results reveal that biochar increases the pores of the CASSAs. At 7 d, B15 achieves complete carbonation at low concentrations and can uptake 6.5 wt% of CO2. CO2 adsorption capacity by biochar in the natural environment facilitates the diffusion of CO2 in CASSAs. Regarding mechanical properties, the addition of biochar makes B15 at 7 d half as strong as B0, but B15 exhibits long-term strength development. B15 at 7 d has a strength of 8.49 MPa after carbonation, which is almost the same as B0. In addition, B15 achieves a net CO2 emission of −39.9 kg/ton. This study combines biochar with CASSAs to provide a potential method to carbonate steel slag at low CO2 concentrations. A new methodology was also used to quantitatively assess the ability of biochar CASSAs to solidify CO2 under low concentration conditions and natural environments from a macroscopic perspective. Biochar CASSAs have great potential to realize resource utilization and carbon capture from steel slag. [Display omitted] •Biochar significantly enhances the carbon capture capacity of CASSAs.•Biochar CASSAs with maximum carbon sequestration of up to 6.5 wt%•Biochar CASSAs have a post‑carbonation strength of up to 8.49 MPa.